IH 444 Front Tire Recommendations

[Kerplooey]

Hey all. Finally got the ole girl out of the garage after the Pinion Seal Surgery. Took her for a hot lap around the yard and found one of the very old (car) tires had all but blown out. Patch of rubber gone, and some cords broken. :shock: Anyway, the previous owner had LT215/85/R16 tires on the front, and I'm looking to replace them. This tractor has a 1501 Loader on it. Tractor Data states the originals were 6.00-16.00, but I couldn't find anything in regards to Ply Rating. The closest tire place has Carlisle Farm Specialists that are 6 Ply, and R66 Farmboy R1 which are also 6 Ply. Looking at the Carlisle site, it looks like they are good for 1,100 lbs each. What I don't know is how the weight is distributed across all 4 wheels. Does anyone know if these would be sufficient given the loader is installed? I'm kind of in a pinch for the tractor and may have to consider putting car tires back on, which I don't care to do. Thanks!

 

[rustyfarmall]

A front loader puts considerable weight on the front axle/tires, so you want 6 ply tire or at least a 6 ply rated tire. The widest tire that will fit will also give more flotation.

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 09:16:22 04/12/19) Hey all. Finally got the ole girl out of the garage after the Pinion Seal Surgery. Took her for a hot lap around the yard and found one of the very old (car) tires had all but blown out. Patch of rubber gone, and some cords broken. :shock: Anyway, the previous owner had LT215/85/R16 tires on the front, and I'm looking to replace them. This tractor has a 1501 Loader on it. Tractor Data states the originals were 6.00-16.00, but I couldn't find anything in regards to Ply Rating. The closest tire place has Carlisle Farm Specialists that are 6 Ply, and R66 Farmboy R1 which are also 6 Ply. Looking at the Carlisle site, it looks like they are good for 1,100 lbs each. What I don't know is how the weight is distributed across all 4 wheels. Does anyone know if these would be sufficient given the loader is installed? I'm kind of in a pinch for the tractor and may have to consider putting car tires back on, which I don't care to do. Thanks!

8-ply are easy to find all over the web and get you another 500 lbs total (1360 lb per tire).

Ebay ad Amazon have 10 and 12 ply from various off-brands.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-600-16-10-PLY-HD-with-Tubes-TRACTOR-TIRES-6-00-16-TRI-RIB-3-Rib-F2-Load-E/173601230268?hash=item286b708dbc:g:JcwAAOSwCU1YyA8J

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 09:41:13 04/12/19)
A front loader puts considerable weight on the front axle/tires, so you want 6 ply tire or at least a 6 ply rated tire. The widest tire that will fit will also give more flotation.

Wide = more flotation and fatter tires have higher load ratings or tend to.

If you can stand to have taller front tires and your wheels are wide enough for it, that opens up a lot of possibilities. As does switching to 15" wheels to maintain the height..

 

[DeltaRed]

Go talk to your local Farm tire guy. He can give the right info. And if there is an issue,you will have some recourse.Plus,buying local helps local merchants stay in business. If everyone bought internet,there would be no local business.The job you save may be your own. think about it....

 

[leroy in ne]

I will give you observations to think about. tread type- tri rib tractor tires tend to cut in and try to plow if being used on lawn type surfaces. 5 rib flotation type
implement tires will not do this as bad, many run automotive style pickup tires for this reason as well as higher load ratings. I would suggest if using auto style that
they be bias ply tires not radial for stiffer side walls giving better directional control. When using a loader increased weight is transferred to the front wheels in
part due to leverage as load is extended from axle point besides many pounds being in bucket. Choice is yours as these are things I have noticed and others may agree or
disagree which is their option.

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 09:53:27 04/12/19) I will give you observations to think about. tread type- tri rib tractor tires tend to cut in and try to plow if being used on lawn type surfaces. 5 rib flotation type
implement tires will not do this as bad, many run automotive style pickup tires for this reason as well as higher load ratings. I would suggest if using auto style that
they be bias ply tires not radial for stiffer side walls giving better directional control. When using a loader increased weight is transferred to the front wheels in
part due to leverage as load is extended from axle point besides many pounds being in bucket. Choice is yours as these are things I have noticed and others may agree or
disagree which is their option.

That's a good point on the 3 rib tire. Especially on a loader tractor, "field work" is probably not all that important.

 

[yakob]

(quoted from post at 09:52:06 04/12/19) Go talk to your local Farm tire guy. He can give the right info. And if there is an issue,you will have some recourse.Plus,buying local helps local merchants stay in business. If everyone bought internet,there would be no local business.The job you save may be your own. think about it....

So, you used to be in retail, eh?

 

[Kerplooey]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I plan to use the loader, but the primary use will likely be pulling a finish mower and box blade in the summer. The loader is mostly for manure and stuff my body isn't going to tolerate when my ambition exceeds my ability. I'm hoping to be able to ditch the loader during the Summer months. So, it really sounds like, given the intended use, the Light Truck tires are going to be the way to go.

 

[Hayfarmer]

I have a SMTA with 325 Dual loader. I have lt truck tires with either D or E rating on it. When I first put the wide front on I was going to put rib tires on it but as I had a set on the narrow front. That was before I put loader on. I think the light truck tires will handle more load. The only downside is they tend to slide when you turn in the field without the loader.

 

[JimB2]

Hi the originals were 6.00 x 16 6 ply, we had 6.50 x 16 6 ply installed for the 1501/1550 loader.
I don't believe you can go much wider than 6.50 without rubbing on the front axle.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Nothing less than 8-10 ply tires on loaders if you want them to hold for any time. We use pickup tires with E range rating on them. I prefer old nylon 8 ply pickup tires.
The radials only last a few years and are shot.

 

[rustred]

the 3 rib is for field work so you can turn in soft ground and not just slide or push the ground. with a front end loader you have weight on the front tires and a bigger tire is good and don't need a 3 rib just because of that.