Newer tires in the future?

[draco 0]

I have a 1971 8hp Briggs and Stratton engine wheel horse 800 special that I got from my grandpa a few years ago and just recently started to look into it to get it running. while looking for parts I thought of what kind of tires I'd want on it and considered 3 rib tires for the front and something like Ag tires for the rear. But the problem is the size of my tires are 16x6.50-8 and finding that size in store for my rim is really hard. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

Edited Tuesday at 02:02 PM by draco

[ri702bill 9,586]

That is a rather common size. Check Tractor Supply, Amazon, & Miller Tire.

[draco 0]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

That is a rather common size. Check Tractor Supply, Amazon, & Miller Tire.

None of those places had the tires I was looking into for that specific size Amazon did but for $210 per tire 

[Achto 29,479]

5 hours ago, draco said:

problem is the size of my tires are 16x6.50-8 and finding that size in store for my rim is really hard.

 

https://www.millertire.com/16x6-50-8-firestone-3-rib-front-tractor-tire-4-ply/

[WHX?? 52,059]

What tractor we talkin here? Got any pics?  Many of us run. 4 -8s with no problems on stock rims.  

this tractor has 4-8s the second one has tires Achto mentioned.

[kpinnc 14,796]

6 hours ago, draco said:

But the problem is the size of my tires are 16x6.50-8

 

The tire size may not be an issue. If your tractor is a 1971 model, it may have narrow front rims which allows you to use Deestone 4x8 tri ribs. 

 

I have a set of the crazy expensive Firesones, and while they are nice- the cost is just silly. I didn't pay that much for mine many years ago. 

 

Deestones are much more affordable, and seem to be good tires. 

 

Even if your rims are wider, you can find a set of narrow rims for less than the cost of Firestones. Personally, I think the Deestones look more accurate to scale. 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 01:11 AM by kpinnc

[WHX?? 52,059]

7 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I have a set of the crazy expensive Firesones,

How old are yours KP?  Any problems with them seating on the bead? Any problems with them cracking on the sidewalls? 

 

These are Dees on stock '67 rims. I have no problems running them on wide rims. 

Edited Tuesday at 01:19 AM by WHX??

[kpinnc 14,796]

Just now, WHX?? said:

How old are yours KP?  Any problems with them seating on the bead? Any problems with them cracking on the sidewalls? 

 

I got them for the Bronco restore, so at least 13 years ago?

 

I put tubes in mine from the start. No cracks so far, but this tractor lives indoors. 

[WHX?? 52,059]

1 minute ago, kpinnc said:

I put tubes in mine from the start.

I eventually had to ... couldn't get them to quit leaking even with bead sealer. Mine are about 10 yo and sidewalls cracking and yes always stored indoors 

[kpinnc 14,796]

6 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Mine are about 10 yo and sidewalls cracking and yes always stored indoors 

 

That would make me very angry. I had a cheap set of turfs start cracking very early and I do not understand. Even cheap tires should hold up better than that. 

 

My 701 front tires didn't have any cracks. No clue if they were original, but they had been there a long time with no cracks. 

Edited Tuesday at 01:29 AM by kpinnc

[Retired Wrencher 5,900]

Sorry guys if they hold air, I use them cracks and all. Just my  . I save money for other tractors. Enjoy your day.

[AlexR 2,081]

Deestone tri-ribs in the 4.00-8 size are definitely the ones to get unless you like spending money. 

My tractor had the size tire you are talking about on a narrow rim and the 4.00-8 tires fit perfectly. And those Deestone F-2 tri-ribs you can get for like a little over $20 a piece shipped. 

 

Deestone rear AGs are fine as long as you are aware they run small so if you want a 8.5" wide get the 23x10.5-12.

If you want a 9.5" wide get the BKT TR-315 in the 10.5 size and if you want a true 10.5" wide rear tire either the Carlisle Tru Power, or the OTR Lawn Trac

Edited Tuesday at 12:43 PM by AlexR

[WHX?? 52,059]

Right on Alex. 

2 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

they hold air, I use them cracks and all.

My sentiments now that I have 20 tractors to shoe. especially if I plan to run old originals. 

[draco 0]

13 hours ago, WHX?? said:

What tractor we talkin here? Got any pics?  Many of us run. 4 -8s with no problems on stock rims.  

this tractor has 4-8s the second one has tires Achto mentioned.

I just edited what my tractor is and I have 16x6.50-8 front tires and trying to find 3 rib tires like I said are a pain to find and I can't upload a picture of my tractor to show you what I have because the file won't work 

Edited Tuesday at 02:19 PM by draco

[Andy N. 2,417]

23 minutes ago, draco said:

I just edited what my tractor is and I have 16x6.50-8 front tires and trying to find 3 rib tires like I said are a pain to find and I can't upload a picture of my tractor to show you what I have because the file won't work 

 

Tri Ribs:

https://www.millertire.com/16x6-50-8-firestone-3-rib-front-tractor-tire-4-ply/

 

But I prefer the 5 rib V61's:

https://www.millertire.com/16x6-50-8-v61-hd-5-rib-170-60-8-implement-tire-6-ply/

 

I think the 5 ribs have better traction in turns especially with a front mounted implement.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:37 PM by Andy N.

[Lee1977 7,249]

The 400x8 Deestone's work on 3 1/2" or 4" rims.  I have some on both. I think the rim width of the 8" wheel changed from 4" to 5 3/8" on 1976 models

 

Edited Tuesday at 05:36 PM by Lee1977

[Achto 29,479]

3 hours ago, draco said:

I have 16x6.50-8 front tires and trying to find 3 rib tires like I said are a pain to find

 

There is only one tire made in the 16x6.50-8 with a tri rib pattern. (Firestone 3 rib front) Both @Andy N. and I posted a direct link for you. They are not cheap, but if it's what you want then you gotta pay the price.  

[Tonytoro416 1,180]

These are the firestones thankfully they came on the 416 when I bought so I didn’t have to bite off the big chunk of change 

[WHX?? 52,059]

Any one know off hand the rim width on a 520?

 

For a 800 special @draco I would just go with 4-8s no doubt. Deestones the most popular but sure there are others. The jungle, fleabay whatever cheapest. Used to be able to buy a pair for 40 bucks no more tho... 😪 

Edited Tuesday at 08:43 PM by WHX??

[Achto 29,479]

47 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Any one know off hand the rim width on a 520?

 

Not sure, gotta be at least 5"

Edited Tuesday at 09:24 PM by Achto

[Retired Wrencher 5,900]

21 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Right on Alex. 

My sentiments now that I have 20 tractors to shoe. especially if I plan to run old originals. 

Jim, I can relate to that. I just feel that good money can be spent on other things that the tractor may need and most of the time the ones I have just sit around and do nothing. There’s one trick I learned from my brother he did some research because he has a classic cars.He said the best thing you can do for tires is put a rug or a piece of cardboard underneath them that’s what he told me and that’s what I did. So far so good. I guess time will tell the story on this. It’s been a few years.