Thoughts on tires

[jim warehime]

I need to get a set of tires for my super MD, I am planning on restoring it and was wondering what are some tires to look at. I am going to put the firestone original style 3 ribs up front. What are tires to look at for the rear? It is going to be a show tractor mainly,I want something that looks original must have 45 degree bars and I am going to stay with the factory size.... Ideas? Thanks jim.

 

[DeltaRed]

14.9x38 is original size.Since you must have 45*,then your choices will be limited. M.E.Miller tire will have them.They will be pricey. Go talk to a local farm tire dealer. See what they have to offer.

 

[kub6040]

Titan and firestone both have a 45° but I haven't priced them I prefer 23° unless I am during R2 tires

 

[Stanhoist]

12-38's were replaced with 13.6-38's

 

[kub6040]

SMD came with 13X38 which is 14.9X38 , my 48' M had 13x38 when I got it , I also have a stage 2 SM that had 12X38 on it so tire sizes must have been options whatever the farmer wanted?

 

[jim warehime]

According to my manuals for the SMD it lists the 12-38 tire as the standard size tire and other sizes as optional. I will be putting on 12-38's, personally I hate the look of antique tractors with large oversized tires. My 51 MD will soon need new rear tires, I already have the fronts it will get 11-38's (12.4-38's) on the rear. These tractors only get used for playing around and shows hence I want to keep the early style tread. I have a 90hp JD utility tractor for doing my work.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 05:35:38 01/18/15) According to my manuals for the SMD it lists the 12-38 tire as the standard size tire and other sizes as optional. I will be putting on 12-38's, personally I hate the look of antique tractors with large oversized tires. My 51 MD will soon need new rear tires, I already have the fronts it will get 11-38's (12.4-38's) on the rear. These tractors only get used for playing around and shows hence I want to keep the early style tread. I have a 90hp JD utility tractor for doing my work.

Old tire sizes are not the same as the new sizes. The old 12x38 is replaced with the new 13.6x38.

The old 11x38 is replaced with the new 12.4x38.

Measure the width of your rims. A 10 inch wide rim needs a 12.4.

An 11 inch wide rim needs a 13.6

 

[D Slater]

If the SMD came with 12 inch wide rims the biggest percent were equipped with 13X38 or now 14.9 tires.
12X38 or now 13.6 was common and other options available.

 

[rhtx55]

What rim width do you have on your tractor now ?

12 in Rim would be 13.6 x 38 tire
13 in Rim would be 14.9 x 38 tire
15 in Rim would be 16.9 x 38 tire

Goodyear-now Titan
Firestone

 

[D Slater]

IH sent the super M gas and diesel to Nebraska test equipped with 13 X 38.
have 2 sets of 13.6 Goodrich tires on 12 and 11 inch rims. Picture of ones on 12 inch rims. They don't look exactly like old type but not bad. Think you can still get those tires.

 

[jim warehime]

The tractor didn't have tires or rims when I bought it. I have
a set of rims that came off a gas m I parted a few years ago.
They have a junk set of 13.6's on them not sure of size of
rim haven't measured them yet. Regardless I don't want
anything bigger then a 13.6 on the smd. I run 12.4's on my
md's I know alot of guys like the look of the large tires but
it don't impress me. What are some good manufacturers of
a decent "inexpensive" tire with 45 degree bars? Thanks.

 

[rhtx55]

Google Tire Town in Leavenworth Kansas
They have Buffed factory seconds & used.
I would recommend picking them up in person.

 

[D Slater]

IH used a rim 1 inch narrower than recommended back at the time. By the time SM tractors stopped being built a 12 wide rim was the widest put on them. Early ones only listed a 11 inch rim as the widest.

 

[rustyfarmall]

12.4x38 is a good size on an H. Nothing less than 13.6 on an M.

 

[Tireguy71]

If it were my tractor, I'd fit it with 13.6 x 38 Firestone Traction Field and Road. I've been selling, buying, and mounting farm tires for over 20 years, and in my opinion you just can't find a better tire for your situation. Avoid off-brand tires. They simply don't have the structural integrity that Firestone provides.