tire questions

[beastlybirdie]

Long time lurker, first post.
Anyway, I have a 46 2n, with a front plow unlike any I have seen yet-the frame mounts to a bracket on the rear axles. It has older firestones on the rear, one is chewed up, but loaded (90% sure it's calcium chloride). The other, which has slight weather cracking on the sides, is backwards, and not loaded.
The firestone tires are load range B, 4 ply according to the web. My plan at present is to break the backward tire off the hoop, slap a new tube in after blasting the inside of the rim, and load it with RV Antifreeze. Then run them for this winter for pushing the 400 ft drive. This tractor's future involves field plowing, general utility work, and the like. Think rented mule ;-)
So, after blathering the above, when I can afford it, should I get at least one new Firestone, or would I be better off with something with a higher ply rating.
Thanks!

 

[Ultradog MN]

Low speed tractor tires will run a loooong time, even if cracked.
If you got the dough then buy a new tire.
As for the ply rating, 4 ply is sufficient for your tractor. If you have a lot of thorns where you are then a higher ply rating has more puncture resistance.
Got any photos of your plow?
I, and probably others here would like to see it.

 

[beastlybirdie]

Yeah, not many thorns, pine thickets that are being cleared is what most of the land is.
So thanks for the reply.
I have pics, but when I tried uploading them originally, the site wouldn't let me. I have to make a couple parts for it, but, I have a good idea how the cable system runs.

 

[HCooke]

After you post a couple of times the site will allow
you to post pictures.

 

[souNdguy]

Ditto what ud said.

Tires are spendy, most of us here run them till the casing ruptures or beads seperste

I have tri rib fronts worn smooth like racing slicks, and rears that are cracked and the cleats worn round at the edges with only 1/2" tread, looks like gator skin, yet they hold air. If you can get the casing off and back on clean up as mentioned and see what ya get

 

[beastlybirdie]

Ok, will post pics as soon as allowed.
Thanks again, kind of what I thought on the tires.

 

[Leroy]

Sounds like my snow plow, Sold under both the Dearborn and Ferguson names. Had mine since about 1950. Information is on the web.

 

[Indiana Ken]

I have an 8N with a set of old tires. I have kept the tires on the tractor for use along the fence rows and along the woods I am clearing of brush. I cut the trees/brush, use the bush hog on the smaller stuff and then follow up with the disc. The remaining small short stems can puncture a tire. Using a tractor with old tires means you are not risking perforation of a new tire. As others have posted; there is a lot of life in these old tires after they appear to be worn out.

 

[Royse]

You could take the outer rim off the center and turn it around.
Depending on how your rims are mounted, it can make a lot
of difference in width or it might not make enough to bother you.
That's assuming they are mounted the same now??
Usually easier and faster than breaking the tire down.

My 2N also has a front plow, it mounts to a drawbar bracket
under the rear end similar to what TheOldHokie sells.

 

[showcrop]

Tire removal can go well or the tire can be rusted to the rim. There have been various threads here about tricks to break the bead, such as jacking against your receiver hitch tube or pressing down right next to the rim with bucket or hoe. I usually do the latter but if neither the bucket or hoe is mounted, I have had success with driving up onto the tire SLOWLY with my truck.