Tire choice opinion wanted

[Lt.Mike]

I recently picked up a set Goodyear 11.2x24s for my working '46 A tractor. That one has a matched good set of Safemark 9.5x24s which I thought I'd put on my '58 Cub Lo-boy giving it a taller wider beefy look. The Lo-boy presently has a mismatched set of 8.3x24s mounted that has always bugged me.
I gave the other '46 A tractor I have a look over. I had grabbed that tractor to restore and flip. I wanted to see if I liked its rear rims better for the ones I'd keep to mount the 11.2s on and found that its tires which I knew were 8.3x24s are also a matched set and realized they were also Firestone field and road tires with zero wear on the tread. uh ok
Still have the nubs.
I didn't realized they were field and road. From what I've heard they are desirable as the tread life holds up much better than others when used on pavement and gravel and... plowing snow is what my little guy is used for.
Awhile back I took the A into town to gas it up and the pavement really seemed to chew up the tread.
So what do you guys think, are the Firestone F&R tires that much better?
Yes I wish they were bigger but should I stay with the 8.3x24 set size?

[Denny Clayton]

The Firestone 8.3's are probably your best bet for the snow plowing Lo-Boy.

[ricky racer]

I don't know about the highway mileage thing so I can't help you there. Personally, I doubt any one tire will wear better than another. Firestone F&R are hard to beat, however with their 23 degree bars, tire chains tend to fall in between bars making them worthless unless you use chains like these modified by Stanton.



You mentioned the Cub would be doing your snow plowing. Tires with 45 degree bars work better with most tire chains. Just something to think about. Sounds like you have several options.

[Lt.Mike]

I do have a set of chains and the cub has a full set of weights. Next move is to replace the front turf tires with ribbed tires. The turf tires tend to plow sideways at times. Yeh I guess I'll go with the stones. Anyway what tire pattern would you figure is best for plowing snow? Button tread?

[Rudi]

Mike:

I plow a lot of snow. I use the 5 rib fronts and 9.25's on the rear with ladder chains. I can check tomorrow the brand of the rears. One of the front's is a Carlisle and the other is one of the original ones I think - Firestone.