8N front wheels, tires

[KenInMemphis]

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and replace a rusted front rim on my '52 8N. Last time I got it worked on, they told me I needed a rim because the rust was cutting the tube. (That last patch job lasted about a year.) So, I'm ready to do it, but I find that the 19.0 - 4.00 rims are scarcer and quite a bit pricier than the 16.0 - 6.00 rims (by a factor of about two) and tires/tubes cost about the same. The other front is rusted too, but not cutting the tube yet. Wondering if maybe I just need to replace both with 16.0 - 6.00 tires/tubes/rims and be done with it for a long while. I have the 'small' hub hole, 6 lug bolts, am assuming I can swap the wheels out with comparable 16" rims without having to do anything else. What's the opinion on that operation? I think my wife would be happier because the skinny hi-rib 4" tires tend to cut gouges in the damp grass on sharp turns - thinking the 6" tires would be less prone to that. Thanks.

 

[hd6gtom]

do yourself and your tire man a favor, switch to the 16" They are way more popular and far easier to find.

 

[old]

You are better off with the 16 inch rims over the skinny 19 inch ones. You have more options for tires that way also. Oh and by the way the 16 rim is so common you can find them pretty cheap used since most any 6 hole smaller center tractor/implement rim will fit. I have a IH 300U here with a set of rims off a Ford hundred series and at one time I had a rim off a JD baler on the front of my 841 ford so as I said the 16 inch rims are easy to find. But if you want to stick with the 19s I have a set of used ones here that are in fair shape and have tires on them

 

[Anonymous-0]

i have whatever you need

 

[Jim Hanna]

Will the 16x6 rims fit the 9n and 2n. Jim

 

[KenInMemphis]

Ok, Looks like I got enough votes for the 16x6. I think I can do 2 new wheels + tires (16x6) for about $150 less than for 2-19x4 wheels plus tires, so that pretty well makes it a no-brainer. Don't need but one yet, but the other is looking suspect so was going to do both. From looking at the clearance, appears to be almost 2 inches from tire edge to the closest part of the mounting spindle, so think that shouldn't be a problem. Does everybody usually go tubeless on these things? (Assuming the new rims would probably be suitable for tubeless.) I usually like to use tubes in my trailers and stuff that tends to do more sitting than rolling. Any disadvantages to going with the 16x6 setup? I know there was a mixture of 16 and 19 inch wheels offered on these tractors - wonder why Henry did that? From what I hear about him, I'm sure there was a very practical reason. Maybe something to do with better ground clearance?

 

[Hobo,NC]

I don't think you want 6" wide rims,,, 4" are 4.5" with 4.50 are 5.50 tires...
Anywho 16" rims handle much better.. I would not have 19" rims on a worker...

 

[KenInMemphis]

Didn't mean to say 6" rims. I think they are 16x4.5, which takes a 16x6 tire. (19x3 takes a 19x4 tire.)

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 03:34:44 05/17/11) Didn't mean to say 6" rims. I think they are 16x4.5, which takes a 16x6 tire. (19x3 takes a 19x4 tire.)

Then you need a 4.50/5.50 tire,,,, You may find a 6.00 will be to big

 

[KenInMemphis]

Was thinking somebody on the forum suggested 6.00 tires. Guess I need to do more research. Is 4.50/5.50 a single size, or are you suggesting either a 4.50 or a 5.50? The existing 'skinny' 19 inch rims have 4.00 inch tires, so 4.50 won't be much different. Thanks.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 07:47:26 05/17/11) Was thinking somebody on the forum suggested 6.00 tires. Guess I need to do more research. Is 4.50/5.50 a single size, or are you suggesting either a 4.50 or a 5.50? The existing 'skinny' 19 inch rims have 4.00 inch tires, so 4.50 won't be much different. Thanks.

Just put two new ones on this 8N. The rims are 16x4.50 from Just 8n's - about $120 delivered. The tires are tri-rib 5.50 x 16's - $99 with tubes delivered from Tucker Tire. I'm quite pleased - wouldn't want anything wider even if they would fit without problems. FWIW I still have the two OEM rims in pretty good shape if that interests you - the tires are shot.

TOH

 

[KenInMemphis]

Thanks for the info. I"m about done with the need for the ribbed tires, was thinking about going turf tread to minimize the gouges in the grass on tight turns - if I can find them - will give Tucker a call. Everybody talked me out of the OEM rims but you can probably sell them on eBay - saw a few there.

 

[DScott]

Sounds like you made up your mind to go with the 16s. I use mine around the yard and also had issues with the tri ribs digging in so I with with turf tires on the original rims. Worked out nice.

 

[KenInMemphis]

Looks nice! Unfortunately, my original rims are shot due to rust, so that's not an option. Having trouble finding 'economical' turf-type tires for the 16" rims. Best so far has been a 5-rib implement tire and only found a 16x600 in it, not a 16x550. (Was trying to stay with a 550.) Did find a 3-rib 16x550 but am trying to get away from the 3-rib. Looks like you went with motorcycle tires. I'm familiar with M/C tires because I've got a couple of bikes and they're usually in the $120+ range, which is a bit more than I wanted to spend on these things. So, I may add some green slime to my leaking tubes and keep looking for the 'perfect' deal!

 

[Hobo,NC]

I don't have any problems with tri-ribs in my yard,,, they are about haft worn out tho...