Need some guidance on tires...

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

Trailing wheel on my 3-bottom plow has a near shot implement tire on it. Manual says 4.00x12 recommended. Tire on there is 3.5x12. As usual, I am hitting the wall with the local tire experts. They do sell implement tires but it seems like I always want a size they don't have and cannot get. So how much leeway do you have on a 4" rim in terms of tire size AND does anyone know of a good source for tires to fit old implements?

ScottyHOMeY · May 29, 2009

I'll go out in a minute and see what I might scrape up for sources.

As far as size, the ground under a trailing wheel in a field is going to be irregular enough that 1/2" in radius isn't going to really mess you up. A more significant undersize could easily be cured by lifting the plow a notch or two if the smaller wheel lets it run too deep to pull. An oversize wheel, to my mind, would be more of a problem in that it might keep you from cutting as deeply as you want to, or tip the plow forward to where it's biting at a steeper angle than works well.

I'll look at some old catalogs and google a little on the tires and see what I can come up with and let ya know.

Hugh MacKay · May 29, 2009

Dave: Almost your neighbors, Miller Tire, just a few short miles into Ohio, and almost due south of you, I reckon.

ScottyHOMeY · May 29, 2009

Miller's, as Hugh suggested, was the first place I looked. They have 4x12s in a conventional ribbed tire. But for a plow tire they have a 3.5x12 which I suspect is the same size tire you have. And that plow tire and its shape are a pretty specialized thing.

One question is, how old is the book you're getting your tire size from? You've been around tractors long enough to know how the size descriptions of the tires have evolved over the years. Though I've never seen a discussion of how that worked for implement or plow tires, I wonder if the same thing might be a factor here -- i.e., you might have just the right tire on there, just a more modern size designation.

Off to Gempler's next and then to some paper catalogs I have out in the garage.

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

That's the first I heard of Millers...nice source. That 3.5" tire is off the chart on cost though. The manual is as old as the plow and, I forget, but I am thinkin that would make it close to 40-50 years old? I am thinkin' I would prefer to treat the manual as gospel and go for the nice, cheap 4" tire. Can't make heads or tails of the tube chart they have though! That is clearly written in some archaic, long forgotten tongue which only gurus can decipher.

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

Appreciate the tip! Did you get an e-mail from me today? Looking to tap your fountain of knowledge.

ScottyHOMeY · May 29, 2009

Oh, it's definitely a specialty tire and comes at a premium.

I've bought from Millers in the past and they were always good on service, price and shipping. One thing they had that nobody else seemed to was the old-style Firestone front tires, three ribs with the sharp lugs wrapping around the sidewalls. I dont' know if Miller bought he molds or simply found the folks that did. Lors only knows what the composition of eh rubber might be, but they are most definitely the old-style tread. Only difference discernible to the eye is that they say "TRATOR" on the side instead of "TRACTOR." And that could well have been a condition of the sale of the molds. The correct police can take a a hike if they want to pick me up on that one. Of course, I'd have no compunctions about sending them packing just for their attitude, anyway, so . . . not a problem.

Hugh MacKay · May 29, 2009

Dave: No I didn't, best check my junk mail. Got a new security system here from Ma Bell. I've already complained once, the odasity of those surfs. I told them if it has anything to do with tractors, it ain't junk mail. Probably some of those birds don't know what a tractor is.

Anonymous-0 · May 29, 2009

I have a good ribbed 4x12 tire and tube would the ft be too high from here?

Anonymous-0 · May 29, 2009

TITAN also has those like the Firestone.

Jim in Ma. · May 29, 2009

Would a front tire from a farmall Cub work on there?

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

FYI...I resent the note but it came back saying your address has a "fatal error". Is that your service causing that?

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

Never shipped one, but I doubt it would be all that much. What do you want for it....keeping in mind all the great referrals I send your way!

Hugh MacKay · May 29, 2009

Dave: Not sure what that means. Actually I have received an unusually high number of e mails this week, so it is working. I sent you an e mail about one hour ago, try responding to that.

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

Yup...I did. Fatal error. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Got real cold here after the rain and I've been hard at it all day. Think I'll turn in early and try to catch my kid's early game tomorrow.

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2009

I don't know, but it's a clever idea. I don't have a cub manual so not sure what size tires are on there. Might be some info on that in the Fay books...I'll check it out. Thanks!

MIKE FRENCH · May 29, 2009

When in a pinch for a rear plow tire an old boat tire works well, or a cheap new one at wally world when your there, they normally have them, not correct but works, I have couple on plows we use, good luck

ScottyHOMeY · May 29, 2009

Does the manual have a picture of the tire in question? There are only the correct and the pragmatic sides of where to go, and I think you know my my opinion of those who meander shows to pick apart the hard work of others. Do they show or specify that odd sort of tire for the rear of the plow, or might the later version work?,

Anonymous-0 · May 30, 2009

Should be worth 10 bucks to a good customer it came off a Cub and has the tube also need your zip code.

Dave H (MI) · May 30, 2009

48380 is my zip. Shoot me the shipping cost. I'll be out working on equipment all day but will be checking in late in the day. So that other fella was right, they did put 12x4 tires on the front of cubs. I looked it up last night and you just confirmed it. Appreciate it!!

Dave H (MI) · May 30, 2009

To paraphrase the manual so as to avoid all the excess verbage....

"Use what you got", e.g. car, implement, etc.

If it is the right size, it works. No mention of any crazy shaped tahrs. I think I has the perfect solution. There's a cub for sale about two miles down the road... (use your imagination, it could end in a lot of ways)...

Need some guidance on tires...

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