FergusonTO20
Member
I finally replaced the right rear tire on my 1952 Ferguson TO20. It was so old that the rim had to be replaced as well. I've got it set up on the hub with a few of the carriage bolts in place, and I now realize that the tire appears to be have been installed backwards. I'll try to explain the geometry clearly, but it's going to be difficult.
First, I think that it should be obvious that the tread chevrons on the top of the tire should point forwards. That's what the illustrations and photographs on my manual show.
Second, the rim can be mounted with the valve stem on either the inside or the outside. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire itself is close to the fender and the wheel base is 64" -- the same width as my brush hog. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the outside, the tire is extended outwards from the fender and the wheelbase is about 68", I'm guessing. My guess is that the valve stem should be in the inside, keeping the tires fairly close to the fender. But I realize that, in some conditions, the user might want the wider wheelbase.
Third, the left tire, which I replaced a year ago at the same tire place (Les Schwab), has the valve stem on the inside with the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire pointing forward.
Fourth, when the right tire is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire point BACKWARD.
I have two options:
1. Dismount the wheel, get it back into my van -- a very tough job because I don't have any special tools and it weighs 300 pounds. Take it back to Les Schwab, argue with them (they won't understand), convince them to repair it, wait a week (it took them two weeks to get the new stuff), and then start over. A lot of work at a crucial time. It's fire season and I REALLY need that tractor for mowing and taking out forest floor fuel.
2. Live with it. Which brings me to my question for the assembled gallery of old pros who know tractors: will the tractor tend to skid in one direction under a load because the two tires are reversed relative to each other?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
First, I think that it should be obvious that the tread chevrons on the top of the tire should point forwards. That's what the illustrations and photographs on my manual show.
Second, the rim can be mounted with the valve stem on either the inside or the outside. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire itself is close to the fender and the wheel base is 64" -- the same width as my brush hog. If the rim is mounted with the valve stem on the outside, the tire is extended outwards from the fender and the wheelbase is about 68", I'm guessing. My guess is that the valve stem should be in the inside, keeping the tires fairly close to the fender. But I realize that, in some conditions, the user might want the wider wheelbase.
Third, the left tire, which I replaced a year ago at the same tire place (Les Schwab), has the valve stem on the inside with the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire pointing forward.
Fourth, when the right tire is mounted with the valve stem on the inside, the tire tread chevrons on the top of the tire point BACKWARD.
I have two options:
1. Dismount the wheel, get it back into my van -- a very tough job because I don't have any special tools and it weighs 300 pounds. Take it back to Les Schwab, argue with them (they won't understand), convince them to repair it, wait a week (it took them two weeks to get the new stuff), and then start over. A lot of work at a crucial time. It's fire season and I REALLY need that tractor for mowing and taking out forest floor fuel.
2. Live with it. Which brings me to my question for the assembled gallery of old pros who know tractors: will the tractor tend to skid in one direction under a load because the two tires are reversed relative to each other?
Thanks for any help you can offer.