Tire and rim ?

tomstractorsandtoys · Feb 28, 2018

I bought a 4020 with 20.8x34 tires on 18 inch wide rims. Tires are junk but I have a good set of 18.4x34 tires. Can I use the 18 inch rims? Usually 18.4x34 tires are on 16 inch rims so I am not sure if this is a good or bad idea. Thanks Tom

jon f mn · Feb 28, 2018

According to my nephew who does tracto r tires, yes you can and they work fine. I have those on my 1030 and considered that too. You can also use the newer 540/70 and 480/75 metric tires.

Texasmark1 · Feb 28, 2018

If my memory serves me: Ford thousand series, 2 and 3 for me, for an instance, recommended sized tires are 12.4 x 28, 13.6 x 28, and 14.? x 24. The 13.6 tires I put on both tractors with OEM rims (12" I assume) say on the tire: 13.6 x 28 on a 12" rim. All listed are tube type.

So, if a 12.4 tire fits a 12" rim per the factory specs, posted in the Ford service manual, one would think that an 18.4 would fit just fine on an 18" rim, again tube type for a guaranteed fit, not sure if your tires are tubeless which probably weren't available back then thus TT wheel, not tubless wheel with the extra sealing flanges.

I bought a used 4020 years ago and it had 16.9 (? on the .9) x 38's on it Do not know the size of the wheel but: Tires were shot so I upped to the more standard 18.4x 38 using the same wheel and they fit just fine. I figured the PO just didn't have the money for the recommended tire so he lowballed it. Again narrow tire on a given wheel.

cornerpost · Feb 28, 2018

Before mid-50's 11-38 tire fit 11 inch rim, 12-38 fit 12 inch rim and so on. Then farm tire standard sizing changed to reflect width of tire and not rim size. 12-38 became 13.6-38 but still called for 12 inch rim. A little fudging is allowed. For instance 16.9-38 preferred rim is 15 inch but try to buy a new one today. 14 inch works fine. An 18.4 tire calls for a 16 inch. Would work on a 15 inch rim. Going 2 inches wider is more prolematic. Harder to seat bead and tire might be too "flat" faced. Have heard of pullers doing it.

DeltaRed · Feb 28, 2018

IMHO,those are just 'guidelines',not steadfast 'rules'.So yes it would work,however I wouldn't want to put any narrower tire on that wheel.As was said,the tread may look a bit flattened.Only one way to find out.

coonie minnie · Feb 28, 2018

Don't the tractor pullers run with wider than recommended rims to get better "footprint"?

Have you asked your tire guy?

BarnyardEngineering · Feb 28, 2018

Tire guy is just going to want to sell him a set of rims, so you can't trust what he says.

I've read claims that you get better traction and better tire wear by running them on wider rims.

With a tube and good lube on the beads, seating won't be a problem.

RodinNS · Feb 28, 2018

You can probably run it... but it's a bit wide. 15-16" is the normal wheel width for an 18.4-34.

Rod

mmfan55 · Feb 28, 2018

The Tractor pulling world frequently uses 18 inch rims on 18.4 tires. Have even seen 20 to 22 inch used on 18.4.

Tire and rim ?

tomstractorsandtoys

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jon f mn

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Texasmark1

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cornerpost

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DeltaRed

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coonie minnie

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BarnyardEngineering

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RodinNS

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mmfan55

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