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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

classic tire tread/modern tires

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Mikey

10-12-2004 18:55:34




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If there's anything that bugs me the most about restored tractors, it's the fact that that they have modern tread tires. You can restore a rubber era tractor with a toothbrush, but if you put modern tires on it, it WILL pull better OF COARSE, BUT, that just kills it for me to see it that way. It's just wrong. Restore it to original OR make it a puller.

Does anyone agree with me? I think most of the problem is that at most any show,they will have a pull, and anyone who thinks that they have chance will put new 2004 radial tires on a 1953 IH "H" (for example).

Does any company, large or small make the classic "rubber" tire tread from the 1930's to the 1950's? We all know, now, that this interlocking tread pattern didn't work as it spun out on ice, frozen ground, and soft mud, but hey, that's why we have the tires we in 2005 and beyond.

My thing is I would love to see this classic tire tread on the restored "rubber era tractors, say 1930 to 1950.
In fact I hope to restore my 1966 Case 730 with the classic 45 degree bar that was on it.
Thoughts?

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Paul in Mich

10-14-2004 05:32:19




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
Mikey, I have recently restored 2 vintage Farmalls, one a 52 "H" the otyher a 40 "A". The hardest thing to find is original type tires. There are a couple of sources that sell 90 deg. rear tread, but there is a price tag to match. Many restored tractors have had cracked, checked, split, and worn tires mounted in order to maintain the integrety of the vintage tire, but it is a real adventure trying to find a decent old tire or a new tire that would match the original tread. I invested over $500.00 in tires for my "A", and I still dont have the original tread, nor do I think I ever will as they just don"t exist. Try finding a single rib front tire for a 14 in rim. I"m still holding out for a 12.4x38 Goodyear sure grip for my "H" to match the one I good one I have, but haven"t found one, so here I sit with mis-matches on the rear. I hope if you see my tractor at a show that you don"t judge my effort or the restoration by the fact that I have mis-matched tires. I think there are so many other things that make a restoration worthy of admiration other than tires. I like to talk to the owners and find out what they did to get their tractor to the point of where it is today and whether they did their own work or did they pay someone else to do the work, including painting. Frankly, as someone else posted here, I agree that some of these restorations are overdone. Farm tractors never came from the factory with automotive quality paint jobs. I also see good restorations with decals that shouldnt be there. I guess some folks think if the decal cam in the package, it was meant to be stuck on the tractor somewhere. Bottom line is that tires should be the least thing to be critical about when looking at a restored tractor.

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Dave 2N

10-13-2004 18:40:12




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
I have Firestone Field and Roads on my 46 2N, my 53 Super C, my 52 JD B, my 48 JD A and my 53 Farmall Super H. Why? The looks don't bother me a bit-I actually think they look better--and--- I think they have better traction for the limited number of things I do.
My pet peeve is the paint jobs on some of these tractors; I think a nicely painted tractor is fine but some of these tractors have paint jobs you would never have found at a dealership back in the day. And then, some of these guys take off their shoes before getting on the tractor!! To each his own, but to me, that's not what old iron is all about.

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Bruster

10-13-2004 11:53:25




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
It's great that there is no peer pressure on your personal choice of finishing touches you wish to dress your tractor with. My tractors look good, but are working machines. I use modern tires on my tractors for the reason that they grip the ground better, when pulling log sections or rocks out of the field, farm work, like what they were
made for. The orginal tires on my Dad's 1946 JD"A"
still in good shape, never were the best tread for digging your way out of sticky mud

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T213R

10-13-2004 07:50:46




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
I bought a pair of 45*, 15-5x38 rear tires for a 1959 JD 730 and bought them from BF Goodrich, at a local dealer. They WERE of course, made in Eastern Europe, but they have the correct tread pattern.



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Leland

10-13-2004 07:15:49




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
Thats bacause most of old molds have been destroyed and that means no more correct replacments



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big fred

10-13-2004 07:07:50




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
Modern tread on a "restored" antique tractor is really no worse than a high-gloss basecoat-clearcoat paint job on a "restored" tractor. Neither were available at the time the tractor was built. It's a matter of what you want, I suppose.



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big jt

10-12-2004 23:26:31




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
I agree with you about these modern tires on otherwise imaculate restorations. Another thing that detracts is wiring harnesses. Doesn't make sense to me to do a top dollar paint job and then cover the wiring with a plastic loom cover.

However when it is someone else's tractor they can do as they wish. It is thier tractor after all and they are the only ones who needs to be happy with the results.

As to availibility M.E. Miller tire has the older treads available in some sizes. Sometimes the local tire dealer can get the same thing just need to ask.

JM2CW

JT

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Mark - IN.

10-12-2004 21:28:24




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
I guess it all matters whether or not it's show or go. Mine have to go, but not to any show - to the field. Now, if I could afford a new mega-tractor to go with those new radials, that would be one thing, but I find myself trying to afford radials to go with my old tractors because the technology's flat out better.



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markct

10-12-2004 20:35:23




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
not everyone wants a tractor that just looks good, many actualy use them rather for snow removal, mowing,hauling firewood etc, or sometimes just tractor pulling too, but regardless if they want a tire that performs then thats there choice, some who fix up a tractor and want 100% originality do go to the expense and trouble of getting old style tires, theres still companys that make them for that purpose, miller tire has all sortsa odd old tread patterns. myself i like a tire that works best, well actualy im not even that picky, pretty much as long as it holds air im happy!! anyone got a 11.00 -24 tire kickin around, any tread, or even no tread, as long as it holds air it would be just dandy to replace the rotted tire on my road grader lol

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Oklahomatractorrebuilder

10-12-2004 23:52:44




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to markct, 10-12-2004 20:35:23  
I just happen to have a 11.00X24 tire and donut style wheel. Came off a IHC road grader. Asking $35.00 for tire and wheel. Tim



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schmidty

10-12-2004 19:12:05




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 Re: classic tire tread/modern tires in reply to Mikey, 10-12-2004 18:55:34  
As yopu said, it all depends on the individuals needs - fit, form or function. If someone has a machine that's authentic from the ground up, by all means get authentic rubber. If it's used daily, update your wheels for optimum performance. Me? I'm a tight wad and will use whatever works!

Schmidty



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