John Deere 3032E Front tires

[RooflessVW]

Came from the plant with 27X8.5R15 R3 Carlisle tires.

The tractor is solely used as an aircraft tug. The hangar is smooth concrete and the ramp and helipad are brushed. It's tire time. The R3 tires do not grip well on the smooth concrete and are wearing out fast from the brushed concrete. I was considering R4 tires for wear resistance but they may push worse on the smooth hangar floor. I could add additional weight.

I was also considering some 215/70R15 tires; my thought process is that they will grip better on the smooth concrete floor without buying additional weights for the front. They're also significantly cheaper for what I consider very light duty use for this tractor.

Thoughts?

 

[nwjones18]

I would think R4's would serve you well, but I've never tried to do much driving on slick concrete. Are the traction issues you're having it pushing the front tires while you're trying to turn? Not sure how much weight is on the rear of the tractor while you're using it as a tug, but filling the tires with fluid I wouldn't think you'd ever need 4wd on the pavement again. If they are just pushing I'd say suitcase weights or something similar on the front would help. If I remember from my tractor researching 3032E is a little light for its size.

 

[IndyIan]

No loader, not 4wd, and always on concrete? I guess some big 15" car tires might work very well. I've seen it before on small 60-80hp field tractors but never asked how they worked.

 

[RooflessVW]

I would think R4's would serve you well, but I've never tried to do much driving on slick concrete. Are the traction issues you're having it pushing the front tires while you're trying to turn? Not sure how much weight is on the rear of the tractor while you're using it as a tug, but filling the tires with fluid I wouldn't think you'd ever need 4wd on the pavement again. If they are just pushing I'd say suitcase weights or something similar on the front would help. If I remember from my tractor researching 3032E is a little light for its size.

The rear tires are filled and the front wheels have 60lb (or 80?) weights. I could order a couple of suitcase weights if needed. The front pushes trying to steer the helo dolly; it's about 6,000lbs

No loader, not 4wd, and always on concrete? I guess some big 15" car tires might work very well. I've seen it before on small 60-80hp field tractors but never asked how they worked.

Yeah looks like a 215/70R15 is equivalent. It has 4WD but we never use it because it just pushes worse.

 

[CapriRacer]

Came from the plant with 27X8.5R15 R3 Carlisle tires.

The tractor is solely used as an aircraft tug. The hangar is smooth concrete and the ramp and helipad are brushed. It's tire time. The R3 tires do not grip well on the smooth concrete and are wearing out fast from the brushed concrete. I was considering R4 tires for wear resistance but they may push worse on the smooth hangar floor. I could add additional weight.

I was also considering some 215/70R15 tires; my thought process is that they will grip better on the smooth concrete floor without buying additional weights for the front. They're also significantly cheaper for what I consider very light duty use for this tractor.

Thoughts?

First, did you get the tire size right? I can't find that size in the TRA Industrial or Agricultural sections. Could it be that the tire size is 27X8.50R15 NHS? I find that size in the Agricultural section. Yes, I am being a bit pedantic, but for a reason. Tire sizing has encoded a few things in EXACTLY how the size is expressed.

Plus the letters and numbers before/after the size are important. For example, is there a load index and speed symbol after the size? In this case it might be 111A3. (Yes, A3 is a speed rating = 10 mph)

The reason I mention this is that getting the size right is important for load carrying capacity. Get the wrong size and a tire will fail and usually at the most inopportune moment.

Check the vehicle for a vehicle tire placard. It's required on street vehicles, but non-street vehicles have been known to have them. Usually located on a door or door frame, sometimes near the rear tires.

I checked on Carlisle R3 tires and found a 27X8.50-15 in an R4 designation, but nothing in an R3. BTW the R designations in farm tires is for tread depth.

So I am going with that. It comes in a 6 Ply Rating

A side comment: Tire dealers are also not very pedantic when it comes to sizing and the way it is expressed and that causes lots of issues in getting the right tire.

So if the tire in question is a Carlisle Trac Chief 27x8.50-15 6 PR 111A3, then it has a load carrying capacity of 2400# at 50 psi. By comparison a 215/70R15 has a load carrying capacity of 1620# at 35 psi .

So be very careful here.

 

[RooflessVW]

Correction: The tractor has Galaxy Mighty Mow 27x8.50-15 NHS tires installed.

This tractor is only used as an aircraft tug and never sees over 1-2MPH. Maybe 5mph when putting the tractor (alone) back into the hangar. The helicopter dolly puts no weight on the hitch. My primary concern is grip on smooth concrete and my secondary concern is wear on brushed concrete. My assumption was that truck tire would be better than a lawn tire at both while costing lest.

If we ever have snow accumulation that I need to clear, the plow mounts to the rear and the tractor will be used in reverse. The odds of having snow accumulation on the ramp and pad and simultaneously having flyable weather are miniscule.

 

[IndyIan]

I would try like 500+lbs on the front if you can find a good way to mount that much low down. The loader and bucket for the tractor probably weighed that much, then it lifted 1000lbs+ more 3'+ in front of the front axle. That's what the load ratings of the tractor front tires are spec'd for, as probably it could get near 4k lbs on the front axle with some effort. But with no loader, I can't see overloading almost any size automotive tire even with 500lbs up there.

 

[RooflessVW]

I would try like 500+lbs on the front if you can find a good way to mount that much low down. The loader and bucket for the tractor probably weighed that much, then it lifted 1000lbs+ more 3'+ in front of the front axle. That's what the load ratings of the tractor front tires are spec'd for, as probably it could get near 4k lbs on the front axle with some effort. But with no loader, I can't see overloading almost any size automotive tire even with 500lbs up there.

My only concern with additional weight is wearing the front tires even faster on the brushed concrete.

 

[IndyIan]

My only concern with additional weight is wearing the front tires even faster on the brushed concrete.

I wouldn't think so, better to grip than slip for tire wear in general I think. I'd just inflate them until they have a reasonable contact patch too., could be quite low, 20psi or less? Also maybe double check that your rear diff lock isn't engaged, or its stuck in 4wd? Sometimes they can stick on, if they haven't been use for a while then.
Seems weird it pushes so much with no tongue weight on the hitch. Also if you have split brakes, you could dab the inside one too, to bring it around. With wet discs on a hydrostat, I think they will outlast the rest of the tractor.
Also I guess you could adjust the toe on the front, maybe have a look at what's going on with some steering angle?

 

[RooflessVW]

We've had issues with it sticking in 4WD before. I finally got my pilots to quit trying it.

I guess to understand why it pushes you'd have to see the dolly. Imagine pushing and steering a 6,000 trailer with a 10ft tongue.

 

[CapriRacer]

Correction: The tractor has Galaxy Mighty Mow 27x8.50-15 NHS tires installed.

This tractor is only used as an aircraft tug and never sees over 1-2MPH. Maybe 5mph when putting the tractor (alone) back into the hangar. The helicopter dolly puts no weight on the hitch. My primary concern is grip on smooth concrete and my secondary concern is wear on brushed concrete. My assumption was that truck tire would be better than a lawn tire at both while costing lest.

If we ever have snow accumulation that I need to clear, the plow mounts to the rear and the tractor will be used in reverse. The odds of having snow accumulation on the ramp and pad and simultaneously having flyable weather are miniscule.

I'm going to assume these are 6 Ply Rating (Load Range C).

You do NOT want any passenger car type tire (ie P215/70R15). Those types of tires aren't designed for the torque that tractor is able to put out. Yes, I know you said the vehicle is rarely used in 4WD, but if it is ever used even once, it could not only tear up the drivetrain (very expensive), but rip the tire apart. Better to use a tire designed for this application.

And it's the application that is the problem. This vehicle was designed for off road usage. The best I can see is a luggy type tire. May or may not be suitable.

I think your best bet is to talk to a local implement tire dealer. Explain the problem to them.

 

[RooflessVW]

Capriracer I value your input but in this case in genuinely feel you understand neither the use case for thia tractor or what I am trying to accomplish.