Model A John Deere rim sizes

[Legacy A JD]

I'm new to these tractors my grandpa had one and it burned in a fire in 2010 and now that I'm 18 in gonna fix it it is a 1952 model a with the water pump a lot if my parts were ruined in the fire like rims and sheet metal and I have heard there are different size rims on the A and i was wondering what the sizes are granddads seem small to me compared to others I have seen..

 

[Legacy A JD]

This is the morning after the fire

 

[fixerupper]

Most row crop A s had 12x38 rear rims. The modern size tire to fit that rim is a 13.6x38. Some guys put wider tires on them to make the tractor look healthier and stand taller but 13.6 looks about right.

 

[Legacy A JD]

Thank you Do you know what the front rims
sizes are too?

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]have heard there are different size rims on the A[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]RUBBER TIRE REAR WHEEL EQUIPMENT[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.

Note the rim widths range from 9 through 12 and diameter 36 and 38.

You might consider measuring both the width and diameter of the rim of your tractor.

Take a look at the conversion chart below for the modern tire size for your wheels.

Hope this helps.

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Do you know what the front rims sizes are too?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

The front wheels are 16" and a 5.50x16 tire are original equipment.

Hope this helps.

 

[Legacy A JD]

Thank you

 

[Patsdeere]

Wowsers. You have an uphill battle. I understand the family tractor, but depending on heat, you are at least looking at all new seals, probably new gaskets, maybe new bearings, radiator.... I wish you the best.

 

[r.w.b.]

Best of luck,appears to have been a nice A. Our 52 A has 12-38 rims with 13.6 x 38 rears and 5.50 x 16 front rubber.
This will be a labor of love,lots of work ahead but hang in there.ask us what you need to ask we will try our best to help you

 

[ss55]

Post a picture of what the tractor looks like now, nine years of rust after the fire might have increased the damage.

It looks like all four tires burnt off in the fire. Burnt tractors are a lot of extra work to restore compared to simply worn out tractors. Be ready to clean and inspect every part. The prolonged high heat can warp sheet metal and anneal some of the heat treated steel parts like: axles; gears; ball bearings; etc. Anything that is flammable or melts could also need to be replaced: tires; all seals; hoses; wiring; fluids; radiator solder; sheet metal; paint; decals; seat cushions; steering wheel; generator; starter; ignition; etc. The major castings are probably salvageable, but will need a lot of hand work to remove the rust and maybe re-machine some of the surfaces and bores. Just the parts alone could add up to several thousand dollars.

I understand the appeal of restoring a family heirloom, but now-a-days $1,500 will probably buy a fully restored 1952 JD A with fresh paint. If not now, it will in the near future. To minimize the cost of replacement parts, I would look for a running tractor to use as a parts donor. Clean up the castings of your Grandad's tractor and transfer most of the moving parts from the donor tractor into Grandad's tractor.

Good luck with your new project, it will be a true labor of love.

 

[centash]

Hmmmm...a major project.....if you can, close off the upper and lower rad hose outlets from the block/head and fill it with water. If it loses water, try to find out where....the heat could crack the block or head, making repairs even more expensive. Good luck.
Ben

 

[Legacy A JD]

The tractor looks about the same except I have a new used hood, air cleaner and front rims for it and I'm getting ready to paint it and replace the lines and it was put under a shelter after the fire but we had it running about a year ago

 

[Legacy A JD]

Surprisingly most of that other than the radiator is fine but I'm replacing most of that before it gets painted

 

[Legacy A JD]

Thank you do you know if anyone still sells the original style front tires?

 

[Legacy A JD]

This a picture of my Grandfather on it many years ago and this is what it looks like right now (its a little messy around it but this is still a running farm)

 

[centash]

Well, since it runs ok, that means it's basically sound. In some cases water from the firemen has been sprayed on the hot cast and cracked it. Good project and a great feeling to have it going and looking good again.

Ben

 

[James Howell]

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]do you know if anyone still sells the original style front tires?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the illustrations below of "[i:654c4848f0]original style front tires[/i:654c4848f0]" in April 1951.

Both the tires illustrated above are available at <a href="https://www.millertire.com/categories/tractor-tires/front-tractor-tires/5-50-16/">Miller Tire</a> for a price.

The tires in illustration 2 should be available at other tire dealers for a lesser price.

Hope this helps.

 

[J. Schwiebert]

An all fuel A! Notice the rear wheel castings are not the same as with the picture of your grandfather and the picture after the fire.

 

[Legacy A JD]

Didn't notice that before I know he had a few of these tractors it must be one of those

 

[Leroy]

The owners manual says they came with a 11x38 tire that would now be a 12.4 tire. When orignal tires wore out most upgraded to a 12x38 tire that is now a 13.6 tire. The 15.9x38 tire is same diameter as the 13.6, just wider. I had a 51 A, 49 B and 46 B and 50 AR and 38 A that was cut down from steel to 38" rubber. The 49 B factory was a 10 inch tire later the 12.4" and some with that model B might have replaced the B tires with ones off the A to get better traction and also better speeds on the B