Front Tires for a 3400

[Bruce Vegter]

The 7.50x16 truck tires are showing cord and need to be replaced. I am torn between 6.50x16 R1 style that I can get locally and a 6.50x16 from Pete's Tire website. Their tread pattern resembles more like a truck tire. No real price difference. Road grading and mowing are my usual chores. Blacktop is a mile and a half away. Any comments would be appreciated.
 

[souNdguy]

sounds like a 'your call' issue. :)

I usually go multi ribs when I change fronts nowadays..
 

[3000OH]

Have been looking at the same question for our 3400. I posted a question about this a month ago:

There were several replies, including a good pic from Ultradog of some fat alberts that were on one of his tractors.

Since then, I've been looking at this some more. Because of our loader(you didn't say if you have one), I'd like to get some wider front tires, wider than the worn 7.50x16's that we're running, like you. I'd also like to keep about the same diameter. Might be willing to get new front rims to get wider tires. Am also willing to run used truck tires like the 7.50's.

That led me to wonder what's out there besides 7.50x16's or the stocker tri-ribs. The other choices that I found:
235/85R16 - rims would have to be reversed
265/85R16 - new wider rims needed
11L-16 - new wider rims needed, might overload the spindles

This is distilled down from several tire and rim charts and I can't say that I know for certain that any of these would work ok. Also, not just any new rims might work, only those with specific offsets.

HTH.
My 3400 question

 

[3000OH]

I was typing too fast, second one should be 265/75R16.
 

[Fordfarmer]

One other option might be a pair of 10.00x16's. They are on quite a few 56/66/76/7700's and -10's. Might be able to find a usable set on rims at a salvage yard. Should have the correct offset.
 

[Brian in MA]

I'm running 246-75-16 on my 4600 and 4000 because they came off my brother's 2500 GMC and I couldn't justify the cost new hi rib tractor tires. I did need to turn the rims around on the 4600, but not on the 4000 for those tires, but they "look" correct and appropriate for the use to me.
 

[showcrop]

To me it would depend on what was in stock with plenty of tread at the transfer station. Always plenty of good rubber there waiting to be worn off.
 

[Bruce Vegter]

I do have a loader up front. However, with only the 48 in bucket I think the 6 ply R1 would suffice. The rocks around here are tough any tire. Thanks to all for your insight.
 

[sotxbill]

If your running a loader...

forget farm tractor tires.. run a truck tire..... wide, flat, and weight carring carcus design.
I use what ever is availible, as the 235 truck tires are everywhere used and nearly bald is just fine. If your picky, order some 7.50s but they will come from china or mexico.. either will do well also.

If you dont have a loader.... run a farm tire, only if you work in loose dirt, ie plowing, and other dirt working chores where the farm ribs will help in turning and keeping the tractor going the right direction with side pulls do to plows. Otherwise again,, run what ever is availible.

An f3 farm rib can reduce the steering pressure as it rides on the skinny center rib on hard top so sometimes that is a consideration where there is no power steering. Also keeping the tire at 28 to 32 psi will help steering pressure as well. I think that a 4 rib will give smoother rides on bigger tractors with power steering in farming operation as it does less hopping and jumping over dirt clods. so less bouncing means less fatigue on the driver at the end of the day and less wear on equipment.

All loader tractors get converted to truck tires as soon as practical.