Mx5200 tire change

[Brian H]

I have a MX5200 with 12-16.5 R4 fronts and 17.5-24 R4 rears. I am disappointed in the traction, especially in 2wd. I currently have to operate in 4wd for about 80% of what I do. Can I replace the rears with 14.9-26 R1's and leave the front R4's on without messing up the ratio? I live in sandy soil with some mucky areas and use the tractor mainly for foodplots and snow plowing.

 

[edritchey]

Short answer is no

 

[SidecarFlip]

Long answer is, there is a lead-lag issue with having one type of tire on the back and another on the front and tire wear as well as stain on drive line components could be great. Tire wear will be for sure. Either change all 4 to the recommended size and diameter or live with what you already have, or put tire chains on the back tires.

 

[troverman]

If we lived closer and your tires were in good shape, I'd probably swap you for my R1's on my MX4800. I prefer the R4 tires for their wider stance. That said, last year my other tractor on R4's couldn't make it up the muddy hill but the MX with R1's had no trouble.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have R4's on the front and R3 loader specials on the back (wide fat and double R1 tread), so it can be done.

If you want to spend the time go to the tire manufactures site and find out the RC (rolling circumference) of the R4's you have and the R1's you "should" replace it with and see if that number matches or is very close.

Do the same for the rears, if the numbers are the same then the tires will work.

NOTE: When going from R$'s to R1's you do normally need new rims as the rim size changes.

 

[Brian H]

Troverman,
That is a tempting idea. I got stuck again today in light mud. My tires are like new. 155hrs.

 

[Brian H]

Wolfman,
My rear R4 show a RC of 145 and front r4s are 101. The R1s that wouldve came from the dealer if i wouldve ordered them have a rear rc of 158 and a front of 101 also. How do i make sense of that. What is the relationship of front to rear?

Brian