416-H skinny front tires

[JerryLook 73]

My 416 has the original tires (1990 date code) on 6” wheels. I’d like to change over to 8” wheels. 
Ive already been told about possibly using shorter spindles, depending on what tire size I get. And with narrower than stock rims I’ll have to use spacers on the spindles. 

Anyways, I like the look of the Tri rib front tires. I was wondering if anyone has gone with a skinny combo up front. I can get 8x2.5” rims from Miller, and use 3.50x8 tires on them. The diameter of the ones I'm looking at is 15.6”. So, close to what the stock tires are. Deestone D401 are the tires I’m looking at. 
 

So what do you guys think? I see guys running Tri ribs on their WH tractors, but is anyone running them this skinny? 
 

The tractor will be used for mowing duties, but also might have a snowblower mounted up in the winter. The tires I’m looking at have a load rating of 320 lbs per tire. I think with the snowblower mounted up I’d still be under that weight on the front. 
 

Btw I think this is the right sub forum for wheels and tires. If not, pls let me know

[daveoman1966 3,815]

I have a set of LT and RT side slightly used spindles to accommodate the 8" wheel.  $55 for the pair...shipped.  

[JoeM 7,948]

I have had "skinny" fonts on a couple machines, deestones. Steer real nice and look cool.

I was cautious on  thinking they would sink into soft ground but we pulled the plow through the garden, worked okay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rjg854 11,912]

I have tri ribs on the front of my 854

Edited June 1, 2022 by rjg854
Correction

[wallfish 17,546]

I run 480 - 4 - 8 on the front of the 520HC. This is a dedicated snow blower tractor so the skinny tires with chains on there works well. The original fronts had slow leaks so just bought trailer tires.  Wheels and tires were only $20 each from Surplus Center

I thought all 400 series came with 8 inch front wheels original and the 300 series had the 6 inchers. Not a fan of those 6" wheels.

[Lee1977 7,049]

I put  400  x 8 on three inch wide wheels those tire have to have tubes, Don't think "I would want to try that with 2 1/2" wide wheels.  I would look for some 4" wide would be find as the tread is going to be around 3".

[JerryLook 73]

Here’s a silly question, has anyone tried wheelbarrow rims and tires? TSC has 8” wheelbarrow rims with 4-8.00 tires on them. 3/4” axle. Load rating 320 lbs each. 
 

I don’t know how wide the wheel is at the bearings. I’d have to see if they would fit on the spindles, or need spacers. 
 

Yeah I though 416 came with 8” wheels too. I’m thinking because of the history of my tractor that the 6” rims are original though. Mine is a 1990, so first year for the 416-H I believe. 

[Lee1977 7,049]

Check the thickness of those wheelbarrow rims they may not hold up on the front of a wheel horse, you can damage spindles if the bearings won't stay tight.  Been there before with the stock Wheel Horse wheels.

[JerryLook 73]

It’s funny because the day after I posted that I saw an Allis Chalmers lawn tractor for sale on FBM that had a wheelbarrow wheel as the front tire. It didn’t look very good.