Not the best angle, but this pic from last winter shows my 448 and 4020PS parked side by side.

The 448 (in the foreground, without cab) has stock 8-16 turf tires while the 4020 has 245/75R16 light truck tires (installed by the previous owner).

The overall diameter on these looks pretty close ... not as far off as the ones in that video. I'll have to measure them to see how much difference there is. EDIT: I measured them and found they're nearly identical in diameter. 29-3/4" on both.

Some of the difference might have to do with the fact that actual tire dimensions often vary a bit between brands even though they're the same size. EDIT: The 245/75R16's that the PO put on my 4020 are Uniroyal Laredo HD/T that according to the Uniroyal website (https://www.uniroyaltires.com/products/laredo-hd-t9) have an overall diameter of 30.6". That's slightly larger than what I measured, but that's probably because the air pressure is considerably lower than what would normally be run in these tires if used on a truck.

I have noticed that the 245's are a bit wider than the 8-16 turf tires though. That reduces the amount of clearance between the tire sidewall & fender. So I put some lighter (smaller link) tire chains on the 4020. Unfortunately, those smaller links combined with the fairly coarse tread on these tires allows some of the cross chains to work their way down between the tread blocks while others stay out on top, making for a bumpy uneven ride. I think I'll try running it without chains this coming winter and see how it does with just the coarse tread tires (they are loaded with washer fluid & wheel weights). Most of the snow removal that's done with this tractor is on the paved driveway so the chains probably aren't really needed unless it gets icy.

 

It looks like 215/65R16 tires would be the closest size match to the 8-16's. There are a lot of them around, but only a few with suitable tread patterns.

 

Typo?

According to that sizing tool, it would be 3.53" short.

 

Not really a typo ... more about reality. 215/75R16 would be a closer match but there is not much available in that size.

 

Here is another tire size tool. Clicking on the size of interest, takes you to a description page, which includes where they can be bought, price and availability.

https://tiresize.com/chart/

Think I'll jack up one of the tractors and take some accurate measurements.

 

Jacked up the 4020PS. Tires at 8 PSI

Titan 2 ply 8.00-16

Measured circumference, being sure of no interference from the treads. L. 97.75" R. 97.5"
Take the larger, figuring some wear, divide by Pi, 3.1415 = Dia. of 31.12

Don't have calipers big enough, so gently clamped 2 pieces of pipe across them and took a direct measurement in several places for a max width of 9.25"

The rim is ~1/8" shy of the width of the tire so 9" outside.

Tread width = 7 3/8"

Space between tire and closest portion of the fender, looks to be ~1"

On this tractor, the closest point of potential conflict height wise, is 1 3/8", basically straight up from the axle center line but the profile of any alternate tire, could be different, especially if going much wider , or with a flatter tread.

Back to this page, depending on how you wanted to push each dimension, tread pattern, ply rating, approved rim width, availability and price, there are lots of choices.

https://tiresize.com/chart/

 

Just bumping up this important edit from Ray. BTW, nice looking tennies.

"EDIT: The 245/75R16's that the PO put on my 4020 are Uniroyal Laredo HD/T that according to the Uniroyal website (https://www.uniroyaltires.com/products/laredo-hd-t9) have an overall diameter of 30.6". That's slightly larger than what I measured, but that's probably because the air pressure is considerably lower than what would normally be run in these tires if used on a truck."

I'm finding rim width, to be a big question mark too.

Somewhere back there, are posts by someone who worked in the tire industry and had info about that but I'm not finding them now.

"I have noticed that the 245's are a bit wider than the 8-16 turf tires though. That reduces the amount of clearance between the tire sidewall & fender. So I put some lighter (smaller link) tire chains on the 4020. Unfortunately, those smaller links combined with the fairly coarse tread on these tires allows some of the cross chains to work their way down between the tread blocks while others stay out on top, making for a bumpy uneven ride."

I've been thinking about switching to the diagonal, cable style. If I needed them more than once a decade or so, probably would have already.

 

Thanks Dave!

Yes, the rim width will make a difference in the overall width of the tires too. I believe most manufacturers recommend a rim in the 6.5" to 8" wide range for 245/75R16 tires. So with the 8" wide rims on these tractors, they're right at the upper end of that range. Technical note: rim width is measured between the inside surfaces of the rim flanges. The overall width is typically about 1" wider.

I went out and snapped a pic of the tire to fender clearance on the 4020PS with the 245/75R16's.

The clearance between the tire side wall & fender is a tiny bit over 3/4". So if needed, some 1/4" thick spacers could be used to move the wheels out and have about the same 1" spacing as the stock 8-16 turf tires.

As can be seen in this pic, the PO did have these tires studded. It was a good idea, but unfortunately the studs they used were a bit too short so they're recessed into the tread too far to be very effective. If it wasn't so much of a job, I'd consider pulling them out and re-studding them with the correct length.

 

"So with the 8" wide rims on these tractors, they're right at the upper end of that range. Technical note: rim width is measured between the inside surfaces of the rim flanges. The overall width is typically about 1" wider."

Thanks a bunch for that clarification! Makes for a lot more choices that would have a more predictable fit.

 

Just reading this thread and I went out in the back garage and looked at my spare 4000 rear wheels and they are marked "16X8", I wasn't sure. Been looking at my options with rear tires for my 6018L which has"15X7" rear wheels and 27X10.5X15 6 ply tires that have not so good traction. Making sure that I don't get confused between these two machines!!!
A few years back I had a 2003 Ford E350 with the max Ford tow package and max tires. I think that they were 235/85/16 and my off season tires sat next to my spare 8-16s and if I recall, they were close to each other in both diameter and width and of course the 235s were 10 ply which is a stiff tire compared to the 8-16 turfs.

 

Choices, choices.

Think I know why several have said they used 245/75/16s.

I didn't like the size comparison, wanting something closer to stock and coming up with 235/85/16 but I'm not finding anything approved for an 8" rim in that size. In 245s, there are lots.

Talked to my tire guy. He said we could push about a .5" on rim size but couldn't think of anything in that size that wouldn't be 10 ply.

Anyway, as I've said before, I like the stock turfs and if needed, would run tubes in them as long as possible. I was just doing this for future reference and adding my small part to help this great site.

Tire sizes and availability change though. My boat trailer tires became unavailable in the correct size for several yrs. now they're back so ...

I would hope that people would use this resource and add their own, if they find something they like better and of course pics. Again, preferably from the rear, one side stock, one side new.

 

Choices, choices.

Think I know why several have said they used 245/75/16s.

I didn't like the size comparison, wanting something closer to stock and coming up with 235/85/16 but I'm not finding anything approved for an 8" rim in that size. In 245s, there are lots.

Talked to my tire guy. He said we could push about a .5" on rim size but couldn't think of anything in that size that wouldn't be 10 ply.
.

Just precede the size with a P in the search and none of them will be high ply counts. The P in P245etc specifies passenger, only LT or ST will be high ply counts.

And, I wouldn't be concerned with width specs, as long as one can get the bead seated. Width is only an issue for highway use. As long as the bead is seated and doesn't unseat due to side loading and low pressure it will work.

 

The "P" is a good tip. Thanks.

As I said, I'll just run tubes when the time comes and barring some sort of incident, expect them to outlast me.

 

If you don't mind 10 ply tires, check out Treadwright Tires. They are a tire recap manufacturer with lots of info specs on each of their tires. I have been using their snow tire recaps for years on my trucks and vans, not had a single problem with any. They offer their tires in what they call Kedge Grip which means that both crushed glass and walnut shells are mixed into the mold rubber giving the tires improved ice and wet traction. They have a blemished listing of tires at reduced prices and these are what I use on my trucks/vans.

 

Previous owner installed LT285/75/16 on mine. There's about 3/4" clearance between the fender and tire all around.

 

Previous owner installed LT285/75/16 on mine. There's about 3/4" clearance between the fender and tire all around.
View attachment 106227

Thanks for bringing up a point I hadn't considered.

Different fender styles, allow very different choices.

Diameter still matters though, especially if used with a belly mower, as there are limits to adjustment and if too tall, could conflict with the rear deck wheels in a turn.

 

Good looking tractor, love the front weight!

 

If you look at my avatar pic, my 444 is on 235/85R16 retreads. I liked the little bit higher profile and had to adjust my deck according.They actually worked very well. I took them off because I got a free set of 245/75R16 all terrains. The 245 is the closest to the 8-16. I used 10 ply LT version, they are heavier duty. The other size mentioned in this thread is too small (I think it was 215/65/16).

 

Just happened to have a wheel off of my truck in the garage and put it beside my 444. It’s a 215/85R16 looks pretty close. Put a bar on top and it looks pretty level

 

Not yet in our size but Carlisle has introduced a new Turf / Ag lug hybrid a couple months ago.

https://www.carlislebrandtires.com/...news/introducing-the-turf-friendly-radial-tire-with-the-traction-of-an-ag-tire/

 

Hi Dave and group,
Titan came out with a similar tire a while back, no 16" versions, but interesting to go onto a 600-6000 series loader. I have yet to get a price on these yet, but I assume that they are big$$$!
https://www.titan-intl.com/Tires/R14T?product=R4T3Y7GE

 

Nice looking tire . I am curious to see what the height difference is between the 400 series turfs and theses are :think:.
Dave

 

I was reading this and was wounder how you like the mud tires on the tractor? Compared to stock turf are they better in mud and snow? Are the mud tires good on the lawn? (not tearing it up etc.)

I am asking because here in Michigan (like all of us in the north) have snow and mud season and I would like a bit more traction with out getting into Ag tires and chains. ( are Ag tires good in snow?)

 

Hi Chad, not sure who you're directing your question to. Mud? Curious ... What do you have to do in the mud that can't wait?

I really like our stock turfs and like you, don't want to go full ag lug but I get that conventional chains can be a pain.

One of these days I'm gonna try a set of these. Super easy to install.

https://www.peerlesschain.com/brands/traction-product-choices/super-z/

 

Try to find a price on these tires,They have to be very expensive.

 

Summarizing ...

The goal, is to find as close to stock fit and tread. More aggressive than stock could be good but not ags.

In post #7 of this thread I CAREFULLY measured original tires and came up with a dia. of 31.12" and a mounted max width, of 9.25"

It is likely the rims would be called 8".

Its hard to argue that based on the pics in post 21 in the same thread, that 215/85-16s wouldn't be a good choice.

But I'm wondering about them fitting on an 8" rim.

This tire size tool tells us that 235/85-16 would be a tad big but based on lots of looking at tire specs, would have a better chance of fitting an 8" rim.

https://tiresize.com/chart/

In post 22 and 23, Bob and I found 2 new versions of turf, ag hybrids but so far, not in our size and when they come, likely quite expensive.

But I found this,

https://www.amazon.com/Cavalry-RL12...zUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Can't find out much about them. They get good reviews but you know how that can be. SimpleTire, gives a boiler plate description ... Chinese, high quality, performance, blah, blah but the tread pattern resembles a turf ag hybrid pretty nicely.

More reading, says that Mud tires are made of softer rubber than ATs.

I haven't found anything in that size, with anything like an aggressive tread, that isn't 10 ply. Even a lot of the highway tires are. Maybe the softer rubber would help off set that.

The ride is important to me. Gator has frequently mentioned running 10 plys at zero psi. Sounds hard to believe but I'm in no position to argue with him.

Upsizing the tire might make chains tough to fit but I've been wanting a reason to try the cable chains anyway.

Thoughts?

 

Case/Ingersoll 16" rims are 7" wide and 15" rims are also 7" wide except for the wide ones on some LBH tractors.
Miller Tire has some 16" road tires that are 4 ply and 6 ply rated.

 

I'll dbl. check this with the tire shop while they work on it this afternoon.

 

https://simpletire.com/catalog?widt...RDsARIsAFh15JbI3gZvscBARV4kLpetDfiye85Y1OBfDOMmSoPL7ZYB0HMors_F9ZwaAjrxEALw_wcB

 

The 75s are more than an inch short.

 

Hi Dave,
I just looked at my spares and you are correct, they are marked "16X8LB". LB as in load range B. I did have a pair of 16X7LB here a while back and I thought that they were stock Ingersolls, but probably not, I don't recall whose tractor it was. Simpletire is the only place that I have seen 4 ply 16" tires.
If I inflate my turfs to 8PSI and measure them and then inflate to 15PSI which is the pressure that I usually run them at, then they grow an inch in diameter. This is measured not on the tractor. Just trying to come up with possible 4 ply tires that the diameters and widths are close to the stock turfs and chains that have been on the turfs will go onto without much modification. The pair of Titan Ag lugs that I had were 10 ply and they rode hard as a rock and the vibration was painful! My 448 had Goodyear turfs and my 4018 has Armstrong turfs and although both were 8.00X16 2 ply, they were slightly different in diameter when inflated to 8PSI and then 15PSI and not on the tractors. Mower deck front to rear leveling is the only situation that may need to be addressed when replacing rear tires that are close to the dimensions of the turfs.
OK, I'm done!:mowlawn::mrgreen:

 

Any suggestion for a Ford 1100 Turf tire 8-16 R3 ply4 tire?