Wheels and sand

[OK8N]

Here on the homestead the soil comes in fields of red clay and wooded areas of soft sand. The 19" front wheels on my 8N don't handle turns in the sand well at all. Anybody know if 16" wheels would help much?

 

[jackinok]

might help give more flotation because of a wider tire,I honestly cant see much difference in sand with mine though.i have a 2n with 19's and one with wheels cut down to use 15's.wider turns is about all ive found to help in sand.both just plow in unless i make a wider turn. brakes help some try hitting your inside brake.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I was discing my neighbor's arena for him - making nice soft dirt and found I can make sharper, crisper turns to the right than if I go left.

 

[rlpintx]

my grandfathers tractor had 16s it did ok in sand, mine has 19s and it just plows in when you make a sharp turn...they help some I want to try some wider tires

 

[KL-VA]

With a heavy or ground-engaging implement on the back, the front tires are so light it makes little difference what kind of front tires you have. That's why you have two brake pedals. Even if you add some front weight, "steering" with the brakes is occasionally your best way of changing direction.

 

[OK8N]

Anything has to be better than the one rib tires on there now. But guess I should first improve my braking skills. It gets a bit hairy brush-hogging in the woods. And the tractor had already run into a tree at least once before I got it.

 

[John in Mich]

Good brakes are essential. Properly applied they assist a turn, not command the turn. I have tractors that the brakes can turn the tractor "pinwheel" without turning the steering wheel. I can also steer the tractor, alternately using the left and right brakes, without touching the steering wheel. Properly used, a light touch on the inner brake transfers the power to the outer wheel in a turn and prevents "pushing" on the front end. Long experience on a given tractor helps. As for mowing in the woods, if there is room to make the turn with an implement on the back, proper use of the brakes can ensure that turn.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 20:37:50 04/21/11) Here on the homestead the soil comes in fields of red clay and wooded areas of soft sand. The 19" front wheels on my 8N don't handle turns in the sand well at all. Anybody know if 16" wheels would help much?

All I can tell ya is I would never run 19's on anything I work,,, only for looks...
Every tractor I work on that has 19's are ell driving S.O.B's they have a mind of their own,, I can see were arms get broke... 16's for me the only way to go...

 

[Jim in Ma.]

Wide tires do help out some but - If your mowing around trees, you should be in 1st gear and also have an over-running adapter for the pto.