Tire questions

[30coupe]

My soon-to-be-delivered new-to-me 1972 Ford 2000 with a
loader has 5.50x16" tires on front that are pretty
weather checked. I plan to go with at least 6.00s.
How much wider can I go?

Also I'm debating whether to go with 3 rib or a
five rib like these http://www.ebay.com/itm/TWO-
600x16-6-00-16-Golf-Course-Mowing-No-Tracks-left-
Yard-Tires-w-Tubes-/350845128228?
pt=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item51afffce24

The tractor will be used for working food plots,
mowing (brush hog mostly), and some loader work.
The 3 ribs on my 8N tend to tear the turf when I'm
using the loader to landscape, so I was wondering
if the five rib, implement type tires would be a
good compromise, especially since actual field
work will be pretty limited: 1 to 3 acre food
plots.

What do you guys think?

 

[David G]

It depends on the rim width.

I had 7.50's on my 6610, I bought new rims and 11.50 implement tires and love them. I like the extra flowtation with using the loader. I did have to reverse the rims to make them fit to the spindles.

 

[old]

I run 235/75/R16 LT tires on my 841 with loader. I find the truck type tires hold up better then true tractor or implement tires do and do not cut ruts as fast as the rib type do. Been running it that way for 30 plus years

 

[30coupe]

Do you run the highway tread or m/s tires?

 

[old]

More or less all terrain type. Not super rough but not like a car type either something in-between and radial type steel belted helps with thorns

 

[Dean]

You can use 6.50X16 but they will be a bit wide for your rims.

Unless your tractor has power steering, I would stick with three preferably) or 5 rib tires since you use the FEL only infrequently.

Dean

 

[Ultradog MN]

I think Dean's point about power steering is pretty important. Does your 2000 have it?
If not I would stick with the standard 5.50 x 16s. It will be harder to find impliment tires that narrow.
Keep in mind that you can't go too wide of a tire with your original rims as they will rub on your king pins. Yes you can dish your rims the other way but I've never liked that. Partly because of looks but also because it puts more stress on your spindles - especially with a loader.
One thing you might consider is buying new rims in a wider width. Wider rims will be centered differently so the tires don't rub when mounted in the normal position. New rims will cost you a few bucks but consider that you can run used all season radials from light PUs on it. Those you can get for cheap or free and run them tubeless which is another advantage.
My 3000 I run 14" rims and cheesy tubeless car tires on.
A puncture is easily fixed in place with a plug kit and portable air tank.

 

[souNdguy]

i try to swap my loader machines to 5 rib, if i stay with a tractor tire..