Where do you buy your tractor tires?

[Jim Miller]

I've got a Kubota L39 and the rear tires (15 x 19 5R4) need to be replaced this year. I've never bought tractor tires so I'd like some advice on where to start. Do most of you buy at the local tractor dealer or a chain tire store or online.

If I go the "online" route I know that I have to find a shop to do the mounting - so that's a factor too. No way do I have the muscle or equipment to do a job like that.

Thanks!

 

[Verticaltrx]

I mostly buy from large farm tire dealers, we have a few around here. The dealer is probably the next best place, although generally a little more expensive.

With that said, be sure to buy the exact same tires as you currently have, same brand and everything. Even in a given tire size, different manufacturers will make the tires different heights, sometimes by as much as a few inches. As you may know, this can wreak havoc with the 4wd system.

 

[jonyyuma]

Try Ken Jones..online....I have 4x4 too..but might not buy the same brand, but wiil adhear to like type and sizes..

 

[Jim Miller]

Never really thought about possibly needing to by the same brand as I have now. I absolutely would be careful to get the right tire size. I've not had any problems with my L39 in 4W dirive and I've not had a problem with shifting between 2W and 4W. I sure want to keep it that way too.

I know every dealer and tire shop is different - but - if I did buy the tires online and then took the TLB to a tire shop that has the equipment and experience in working on heavy equipment tires - how much should I expect to have them do all the work? Again, I know their all different - but I'd appreciate a general idea.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[IndyIan]

I was surprised to read that Kioti allows a relatively huge difference in rolling diameters. +-8%! The factory front tires are +1%, but its in the service manual, along with instructions of how to measure, calculate, and adjust rolling circumference with air pressure.
I'd always try to get tires that come close to 0% rolling difference but you have some range to play with if you want to put some wide R4's on the front with R1's on the rear for example.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive always gotten mine from my Les Schwab dealer.

 

[HCJtractor]

Try Ken Jones..online....I have 4x4 too..but might not buy the same brand, but wiil adhear to like type and sizes..

Checked out that site and it looks very good. The prices seemed reasonable. Wonder what shipping is on a 170 lb tire? I need to call for a quote. Thanks for the info!

 

[TripleR]

We buy from a local tractor tire dealer and we have mounted different brands front and rear as sometimes they have been unavailable; not at all uncommon to see that. I have different brands on my L5030 now. We have been doing this as long as I can remember.

 

[magicheater]

I normally use my local Firestone dealer. They have treated me well. In the odd situation that they did not have a specific type in a specific size I have gone else where. They were smaller tires so shipping was not a killer.

 

[Jim Miller]

What would be a reasonable price range to have a tire shop do all the mounting work if I got the rear tires online?

 

[kenmac]

What would be a reasonable price range to have a tire shop do all the mounting work if I got the rear tires online?

I would check local prices. I got prices online & priced local. After shipping & mounting I would have been $200.00 in the hole if I had bought online

 

[Jim Miller]

WOW!!! That's what I'm concerned about. I had some Jeep tires mounted that I bought from a friend and to have them mounted and balanced was a total of $110. AND, I realize there is a lot of difference in a regular Jeep tire than a set of rear 15x19 5R4 tires. No balancing - but a huge difference in size a weight.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's help and advice here and I'll do my homework on getting all my pricing information together - BEFORE - I place the order - locally or online.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Soundguy]

tucker tire...

 

[moored4]

Ive always gotten mine from my Les Schwab dealer.

X2 most of the time! I still go out and get price quotes! :thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

I was surprised to read that Kioti allows a relatively huge difference in rolling diameters. +-8%! The factory front tires are +1%, but its in the service manual, along with instructions of how to measure, calculate, and adjust rolling circumference with air pressure.
I'd always try to get tires that come close to 0% rolling difference but you have some range to play with if you want to put some wide R4's on the front with R1's on the rear for example.

Interesting range. The negative side would be horrible because the fronts would always be pushed in 4wd. 0 OTOH is just fine going straight, but still poor for maneuvering since the fronts start to be pushed as soon as you turn. My 7520 is like that -- really tears up ground when turning in 4wd. A +% is good, and if the front end is robust more is better. Our Kubs have a lot of front lead. Dont know the figure, but in 4wd they cause notable disturbance of the packed gravel on our drive. The Kubs feel fine going straight, and turn great and dont cause a lot of disturbance when turning. I plan to go up a size when I replace the fronts on the Mahindra.
larry

 

[MarkV]

Jim I am curious how many hours you have on your L39 to wear out the rear tires? I have replaced the front tires on one tractor at 1300 hours but never the rears. My L39 at 450 hrs still has good tread. Do you run on pave roads a lot with your use?

MarkV

 

[bigbull338]

we have 1 or 2 local tire shops that we can order our tractor tires from.

 

[crazyal]

Are your tires loaded? If so I would let a tire dealer mess with them. If a dealer doesn't sell tractor tires then chances are they are not set up to handle them. If they are they are not going to be gentle on your wallet if you have your own tires.

I changed my tires my self on my 580K. Being a backhoe it's pretty easy. I used the outriggers to lift it up and the BH with a chain to lift the tire. Once on the ground a tooth on the bead and it easily broke the bead. I used two crow bars and some soapy water to pop the old tire right off and the new one on. The wheels don't have the rib formed in them to help keep the tire seated so it took only 5 or 10 psi to seat. They did have tubes, just put a little air in them to give them some shape to help avoid pinching them.

If you do do it yourself just remember even at 5 psi there is a lot of air so it can be dangerous. Dealers have a cage they use for that 1 in a million accident. I only air them up outside and I have a hose that can attach to the valve stem that allows me to be around a corner when putting air to them while beading. I also make sure nobody is in a place to get hurt in case something does go wrong.

 

[PILOON]

I went to a large truck tire center.
They were really well equipped to do the job.
Total labor was $40. each for rears which included cleaning & painting rims, remove CaCl, new tubes and filling with beetle juice, dismounting and installing.
I did trailer the tractor to their shop.
Took all of 1 hour .

 

[Jim Miller]

Lots of good info here! I have about 950 hrs on the 2006 L39. Twelve months ago I bought it used (820hrs) from a local heavy equipment rental center and local Kubota dealership about two a mile from where I live. I've been watching that L39 with lust in my eye and one day I stopped in and talked to the owner. Timing was right and the stars and moon lighned up and I believe I got a great deal. I've put 100+ hrs on it and its never been back to the shop.

All that to say I have no idea how the tires were used. I could probably get by with these tires another two years - but - Mama said she thought a new set would make a great Father's Day gift. Heck - I'm not going to argue about that!!!