Tire sizes for FH rim

FarmallCT · Mar 9, 2015

Hi guys,

I have my 1930 Farmall Regular that I am finishing restoration on and I am trying to figure out what size tires to order for the rear rims I have. I have a F&H rim for it that was on the tractor when I got it, and am getting a matching rim as the other rim was unuseable.

The rear rim is a 38 inch rim and is 9 inches wide. My question is what is the biggest width tire I can put on that rim?

I would like to try to get a decent size tire on it (12.4 or 13.6) but don't want to get tires that are way to big for the rims. I have heard of someone who put 14.9's on those rims but that seems way too big for only a 9 inch rim.

It currently has 16.5 tires (I think) on cutoff rims on the back that are borrowed from a friend and they work without any interference.

Also, would I have to put a larger tire on the front rim to reduce the slant of the tractor? It has 16 inch tires on the front but I have heard of 17 inch tires being used so it does not slant forward so much.

Thanks for any suggestions,

FarmallCT

old · Mar 9, 2015

You can put some pretty big wide tires on that rim but they will look funny and not work well. Rule of thumb is an inch wider then the rim so a 9 inch rims a 10 inch wide tire 11.2 works ok and a 12.4 is pushing it some but will work much bigger and you have tread roll over

Nebraska Kirk · Mar 9, 2015

Old gave you good advice on what tire to use on the rear.

With regards to your question on front tires, when they were changed over to rubber tires, the front vertical steering shaft was lengthened on the bottom to raise the front up so that it would be level. If your Regular has had this done to the front already, then it will set close to level with 6.00x16 or 6.50x16 tires on it. If your tractor has NOT had the front raised by lengthening the vertical shaft, then you are SOL as 6.00x16 is about the largest tire that will fit. Much larger and it will rub on the frame.

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks old!

I do like the size of the 12.4's and don't think I would try any larger than that but I will put on at least a 11.2.

Do you have and idea of how bad would you think the tread roll over would be with the 12.4's? Or have you seen any with that size?

I am tempted to put that size tire on. My F-12 has 12.4's and they look good but I do think the rim might be an inch wider.

Thanks for any suggestions,

FarmallCT

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks Kirk. He did.

I do not believe the steering shaft was lengthened as it does have a pretty decent
slant, but I did not know this was done until now so I may just be used to it and not be
able to tell.

I did try to attach two pictures, one of it with the F&H rims on and one with the
cutoffs.

If you can give any input on if it has been lengthened or not it would be much
appreciated.

Thanks,

FarmallCT

mkirsch · Mar 10, 2015

11.2's will be much easier to mount and will be less expensive.

It was a fight putting 13.6's on 10" rims.

Nebraska Kirk · Mar 10, 2015

It does not look like the front end has been raised on that Regular. My Regular is the same way and it does point downhill, but I can live with that.

Are you sure those F&H round spoke wheels are 38"? They should be 36" unless they have been modified in the past.

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks. I didn't think it had been raised but its always good to
get a second opinion.

Yes, surprisingly they are 38 inch.
I had thought they were 36" and have been told the largest size
they made was 36". I went out and measured the rim last night and
it came out as just over 38" from edge to edge.
Now I just need to get a matching one.

Thanks

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks,
The price is not much of a concern.
Since I am restoring the tractor for my FFA project, there is a program that gives tires to FFA members that
are restoring antique tractors after the member and adviser have verified and confirmed the restoration.

We usually bring the tires and rims to a local company that mounts them very reasonably. I just need to know
that it should mount/fit okay and the tractor should still be usable to drive around, and maybe pull with
without damaging the tire. I know it wont fit perfect but for such a big tractor I'd like to try to get a
reasonable tire such as the 12.4 on.

DeltaRed · Mar 10, 2015

You have 36" rims.You dont measure edge to edge.You measure down where the bead sets.If you still have an old tire left,look closely for size.If you buy 38"tires they will be to big.I'll bet money on it.

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks Delta,

I don't know how but I completely forgot that's how ya have to measure. I guess that's what happens when you're exhausted and doing it late at night.

I do still have the old tire mounted on the rim. Couldn't read the numbers from all the snow and ice stuck to it but I set it up against a trailer so it should melt today and I'll be able to get the information.

Thanks again!!

old · Mar 10, 2015

12.4 should be ok and have very little if any tread roll over. Go much bigger and yep you get V shaped side walls and the tread starts to come up off the ground i.e. tread roll over

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks! I believe I will probably put that size on then. Thanks again.

randy hall · Mar 10, 2015

I believe eight inches was as wide as f+h made their rims. I had a wk-40 that had f+h round spoke wheels that were eight inches wide with 15-32 tires on it and they looked alright.

36F30 · Mar 10, 2015

The style of tires originally on the tractor would have been rounded or balloon type not the modern flat tread type. I have 13.6 on my 28" rims because 14.9 puts it over 102" wide on my F30. Unless your looking for maximum traction in a tractor pull situation the wider tires have a period correct look and the increase in diameter helps increase speed. 4 mph is pretty slow.
M. E. Miller has a chart, they used to put some massive tires on 8" rims.

13.6 will only look slightly rounded

rhtx55 · Mar 10, 2015

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks!
I am trying to get something that will pull okay but still be reasonable and
look good which is why I'm trying for the 12.4. Its not too big of a tire but
it is big enough and should look okay.

I did notice the speed difference too, and that is part of the reason. The
tires it has on it now are 16 somethings on 38 inch rims and that thing went
pretty fast when I had it running last year.

Your F-30 looks pretty good by the way. Ill be sure to post a picture of my
Regular when its finished.

Thanks again!

FarmallCT · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. If I may
ask, what book is that out of? F-20 parts book?
Thanks.

rhtx55 · Mar 11, 2015

Yes, that is scanned out of my 1936 F20 parts book.
For pulling you may want to try the shorter 28in wheels.
Depends on if you spin out, or run out of ponies.

FarmallCT · Mar 12, 2015

Thanks.

I agree they might be better, but I already have the 36 inch rim and know where to get the second, and
its not going to be mostly for pulling, just might pull a few times for fun at the shows that have pulls.
And the 12.4 tires don't seem to be too big, but for that size a tractor shouldn't look too small either.

Thanks again.

Old-F20 · Mar 12, 2015

12.4x36 is the best looking size for a regular or F-20. still easy to find in that size too. cant go wrong

rhtx55 · Mar 12, 2015

I agree, the 36in round spokes look best, the above chart lists the F & H hub number, so you should be able to match the one you have pretty easily. I found a nice set of 8 in 36in round spokes in Missouri from an Oliver scrap yard, (of all places) $400 shipped, I then purchased a set of 12.4 Titans to put on them. The tractor came with both sets of F & H weights, should look pretty good..........some day.....it's only $$$$$

Not mine, just a nice-un I found on the web, I like the silver & red, hopefully someday mine will look as good. I know it's not "correct" but I really like the way it sets it off.

FarmallCT · Mar 12, 2015

I do like the bigger rims. The small rims I don't
think look as good since the Regular is a pretty
good size tractor. I will have to find a pair of
front F&H rims. It currently has cutoff rims on
front but one thing at a time.

I do like the different color of the outside of
the rim, it looks neat considering the rest of the
tractor is red

Tire sizes for FH rim

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