Why was it? Wheel sizes.

During the end of the steel wheel era (when manufacturers offered both steel and rubber), steel wheels seemed to be shorter wheels than thier rubber tired option. This would be like for the letter series farmalls. But other manufacturers also seemed to reflect this.

The outside point of the lugs really didn't go out as far as what would be the outer diameter of the tire (if rubber). And this didn't account for the lug (spade) going into the ground. Which actually even made them shorter. A rubber tired version of the same tractor always stood much taller. Probably a good 6 inch difference in the height. And yes I know, it'd only be half that at the axel.

Why was that? They sure would of noticed the height difference even at the factory. Somebody would of had to of scratched thier head, and said, these steel wheels we're putting on are shorter than the rubber tired wheels. But that's not what I'm getting at. Is what I'm getting at, is that this wasn't an un-noticed situation. Which means that the wheels were engineered this way.

Any thoughts as to why a steel wheel version was a lower profile tractor (because of shorter wheels)? About the only reason I have come up with, is steel wheels do seem to rob some power. The looser the dirt (further in you sink) the more power is lost. And making a tad shorter wheel, would gain some of that power back (more engine revolutions per foot of travel).

Is thier anyone that can shed a little light on this?

Possibly had to do with ground speed? The later F-20 with rubber tires could be had with a higher speed forth gear. Steel wheels had a rough ride. Smaller diameter steel wheels gave slower ground speed, not as rough a ride for the operator?

Yes ground speed. That is why high gear was locked out of some as well. Too rough on operator or tractor

Steel wheels are rough on the operator even at low speed in my opinion if you are on hard ground.

Steel wheeled tractors were used with a lot of existing horse drawn equipment which worked best at 2 to 4 MPH speeds.

Steel wheels also take more power to turn, due to them having virtually zero wheel slip, at least that's how I understand it.

My 1930 model L Case on rubber will pull farther down the track than a model L on steel. Both original engines. Takes power to pull the
lugs out of the dirt each time around. Farm stock tractor pull.

The first tractors had steel and it was a transition from horses walking which was around 3 mph. As rubber tires came out tractor transmission speeds were changing. Many early ih like w30 for example has 3 speed transmissions. Then as years went by they put in 4 speed transmissions. And on these tractors if u put steel back on you had to lock out 4 th gear. Anything the w6 can pull the w30 pulls, but might be a hair slower. And also them French and Hecht rubber wheels came out before ih had rubber tires on tractors. Them wheels are a close match for the steel height. Plus the tires were a smaller size. So yes definitely the newer. Ihc hubs and tires are higher as u say cause they used a bigger tire. This is all my findings on my w-30 tractors.

Yes a proven fact , rubber is better traction.

The early tractors only had one speed forward and one back.

I have a useless opinion, maybe steel wheels, in war years, ( letter farmalls) were smaller to use less steel..... Every bit mattered.

that would have been in the early teens, with the one cylinders. in the 20's lots had 2 and 3 forward gears.

Not sure if this is relevant to the discussion but my 1938 MH 25 was available from the factory with rubber or steel and the actually where geared different. The steel had what they called A gears and where slower and the rubber version had B gears which where faster geared. At least thats what I read somewhere in my Massey books.

and you also have the french & hecht spoke rims. they are not massey. they were made and used on pretty well all different tractors and combines and plows and other machinery.

Late teens 1917-1019 the Happy farmer was a 2 cylinder engine and one speed forward and one reverse. It blew the exaust out the front of the frame toward the single front wheel in line with the right rear wheel. There is a restored by orignal owners family close to me And next door neighbor had a 1919, it did not run anymore when I first saw it but Dad worked for the owner and said it was a great improvement when he brought it into the field Dad was plowing with horses as it pulled 3-12 inch plows. The owner later would start in down the furroe plowing and jump on his 1941 B John deere with the disk and beat the Happy to other end of field, jump off the Deere and turn the Happy around and headed back across the field and repeat things with the John Deere. This tractor was sold at his estate in 1960 and local muesuem bought it but when they found out it did not run (I don't know if from just setting outside for years or if it had a mechanical problem) They got rid of it and I have no idea where it went. 2 cylinder horsital engine with plugs to the back end of tractor and open valve system. Fuel tank over left wheel. I wish I could have had it but I was only 14 years old then. The restored one is painted orange, don't know if orignal but I think the owner knew as it was his familys tractor bought new.

Hi rustred I believe they where installed at the factory though or am I just assuming that. I dont think my great uncle would have bought different rims just for the looks. He wasnt that kind of man.

That is correct. They came from the factory. French & Hecht was a supplier.

yes drive steel wheels with lugs down a hard dirt road n 1 wonders why those older guys who ran those old tractors walked bent over.
used to rake hay on a 37 B john deere with L lugs. dirt road in high you stood up knees bent slightly, going a speedy 3 mph or so. was 12 then thought i was 1 tough person

Allis Chalmers used to promote that with their WCs.

My grandmother used to have an original WC brochure. i'm sure my aunt thru it in the burn pile.