Whether you gather up onetime tractors , inherited grandpa ’s trustworthy Minneapolis Moline , or are a veg farmer and ca n’t see life-time without your Farmall , you have probably run into the same issue as everyone else : Where do I get parts — especially tire — for these old fellows ?
Tractor tires , and stock tire size , have changed a snatch over the years , so sometimes finding the correct tire size for the correct tractor can be a chore . Here are some steps you should take when look to replace , darn , tube or acquire tires for an old tractor .
Determine If You Need New Tires
New tractor tyre can be prohibitively expensive , so if it ’s just a minuscule puncture you ’re dealing with , you may want to moot buying a patch kit — a saucy matter for any farmer to have — or take a local trader patch up it for you . If you blow a sidewall — the magniloquent side of the tyre — there ’s not much you could do to save the tire except for tubing it . Patching or tubing your tyre , if you’re able to get away with it , will always be the most toll - in force way to keep an old tire in use .
Measure Your Tires
If the tyre is whole shot and you determine that you need a unexampled one , the first tone is to find the tire size . This should be printed on the tire ’s sidewall , somewhere above the rim — you might have to scratch away some dirt to notice it . Look for either two or three number , separated by a backslash or a dash .
In a two - phone number fig , the first number is the breadth of the tyre in inches , and the second should be the flange size in column inch . For model , if the sizing reads 4.00 - 15 , the width is 4 inch and the rim size is 15 inches . If there are three numbers — such as 23×8.5 - 12 — the first bit is the width ( 23 inches ) , the 2nd is the altitude ( 8.5 inches ) , and the third is the rim size ( 12 inches ) . If there ’s a denary peak , it is simply a more exact measurement , not another measuring all told . These numbers are n’t always in the same order , but there will always be a width and rim size . If you’re able to locate those you should be able to have enough information for your tire source .
Shop Locally For Tires
If you ’ve determined you need or want a new tire — or at least want to price it out — the first place you should go is your local farm supplying store or Colorado - op . They should be able to track down just about any size of it and shape tire that is still available . If they ca n’t , which could be the case , you ’ll be left to do your own research .
Finding Rare Tractor Tires
Two slap-up resources for uncommon tires isMiller Tire , in Ohio , andNebraska Tire , in Nebraska . commence by calling the one nearest to you to save on shipping . They might also be able-bodied to facilitate you find the tyre if it is truly rarified and eventheydon’t have any in stock . Yesterday ’s Tractors Magazinealso has a an active subject matter board where you’re able to ask a few enthusiasts for their advice .
Tire Upkeep And Repair
Buying Tubes
Many Fannie Farmer run their tire tubes , which can save a lot of money down the road on tire repair and surrogate . In fact , a tube , just like a tire , can be patched , and if it want to be replaced , it can be purchased for a fraction of the price of a new tire . That being said , if you may see the tube through the tyre , then the tire should in all likelihood be supercede . Otherwise , you ’re go to be fixing that tube incessantly .
Sealants
If you prefer a tubeless tire — and many farmers do — sealant can help hold in the air . Be mindful in buying sealants that the one you apply is non - mordant . Some contain sure salts that will corrode the tire brim and ruin it over time .
Patching
As cite above , both tire and tubes can easily be patched . This imply discover the hole ( fill it with air and spray soapy weewee around the surface — the hole will bubble ) and agitate a patch into the tire with a especial musical instrument . The patch will then nonplus to in the yap and hold back the passing water — far and off the most affordable of fixes , though again , you’re able to not patch a busted sidewall .
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