Front tires ?

[Two0aks]

I (by hand) took off my NAA front tires to clean up the wheels.
They are Firestone 5.5x16, maybe original and the tubes are Firestone too. They also are labeled 5.50x16.

DC sells those "Firestone branded" for $190 each + $20 shipping. While I'd like to go with original type, that's just too much money, plus I need rears too and a loop rim.

The Bezos website has ‎52F239 Farm Specialist Carlisle tires for $66 each free shipping.

What do you think, go cheap or burn $$$. Other brands you think are good ?

The rims looked bad but weren't really too bad. The one on the right went in electrolysis but didn't produce much goo. The one on the left I spent 2 Hrs. with wire wheels and it's now in the bath and has produced tons of goo. I've skimmed off two times and this AM looks like this.

 

[fredstev]

All I can tell you is that I have 6.50 X 16" Carlisle 3 rib tires on the front of my 871, and have been very happy with them. Purchased locally.

 

[Fordfarmer]

I have a couple hundred tires on my
farm... and a good number of them are
Carlisle. They easily outlast the chinese
and indian imports.
I haven't priced any tires that small
lately, but would guess those are 4 ply.
Unless you need thicker tires, I'd go
with those Carlisles.
Firestone and Goodyear will also usually
outlast Chinese or Indian imports. For
me, the longer life more than makes up
for the higher initial price.
The last Firestone I got was made in
Mexico, though. Prefer to keep my money
circulating in the U.S.
The last Carlisle I bought was an 8 ply
11L-15. Around $140, if I remember right.

 

[Colin King]

I put a Carlisle Farm Specailist on one of my tractors this fall and the tire was made in the U.S. Tire + tube and mounting cost me $87 at my local service station.

 

[Texasmark]

Size is kind of a height and load question. Larger tires lift the front but give you better load carrying capacity. 4 ply vs 6 depends
on the weight on the front end, amount of air you want to carry and whether or not you do a lot of tight turns. With the available
options its an owner's choice as to which suits him...same with rears. On the 3 rib style, no doubt the ribs dig in as intended and
help make tight turns..while they tear up your turf if mowing.

 

[Two0aks]

Thank you all for your replies.

Texasmark: The 52F239 tires are 6 ply. I won't have anything heavy on them, at least not in my lifetime, just the NAA Jube

I do have 6.5x16s on the TO-30 Ferguson, but it has a FEL. The've been on for over 25 years and they are fatter and taller than the 5.5x16s.

After cleaning the rims I can see the Kelsey Hayes stamp and the size stamp is 16 x 4.50 Made in U.S.A.

 

[Hobo,NC]

$420.00 for two 5.50-16 :shock: gimmie the $66 tars.

 

[Two0aks]

If the tractor was mint etc then maybe, but I'm just an old guy spending 11 years renovating a Jubilee. Trying to keep everything original. So for me Carlisle's will suffice. Plus looking through a ton of images of Jubilees, most had three rib plain AG tires. There was a Mecum auction one that had Firestones on it, but that was all. My apologies to DC. I won't be buying tires from him. Thanks again for yours and others replies. Always good information here to stash away in the treasure chest.

 

[Tom in Mo.]

Great job on cleaning up those rims. That's as shiny as I've ever seen one ready for paint.
Carlisle will serve you well.

 

[John in Mich]

I have wire wheeled rust, hand sanded rust, had parts acid dipped. Recently, I went to a
Shrader Tire near me to have 3 28 tires dismounted in hopes of saving original rims. Ugh!
Rims were past saving.
However, they mentioned having wheels sent out for sandblasting and powder coated. Hmmm.
I have a hay wagon running gear that I want to refurb for shows. The wheels are not great
(rust pitted) but serviceable.
They sent my 4 15 rims to their supplier. Color selection is limited. I chose fire engine
red. $40 each. I'm good with that.
I have 4 car tires that have 3 white walls. I have bought innertubes and will mount these
soon.

 

[Two0aks]

Hi John

Good deal on getting your rims powder coated. Certainly a good move considering the time I spent just getting mine cleaned and they still need paint which probably won't be durable as original. Another case in point about trying to salvage old stuff. My NAA seat looked the same as the rims before getting intimate with it. It has deep pitting but otherwise solid. Took it to an auto body guy. He gave me details on how he would restore it. I about fell over when he quoted $500. I'll take a look at videos and bondo fill and paint myself. Probably going to put a cover on it anyway.

Bill