Combines Tires Goodyear or FirestoneIJ

price every major brand you can think of, and check specs to make sure you get heavy enough construction. Don't laugh, some guys around here have gotten logger tires which are extremely expensive but close to indestructible in harvest conditions and they then keep the tires when they trade for a new machine. This is something to really consider... standard duty farm tires are rather poor quality because noone is willing to pay for good ones.

Just purchased a used 9650STS with a few hours on it. It had Goodyear tires on it. My experience here in Oklahoma has been very poor performance in muddy conditions with Goodyear tires. I made it clear to my dealer that I did not want the combine if it had Goodyear tires. They are changing them out to Firestone. We have very good service in our area for both brands. Service is very important and I would look at that very closely then decide which is best for you. If service is not a problem I prefer Firestone. One other thing to consider is tire size. One brand or the other may not be available in the size you are ordering. You might post what options you are ordering and what crops you are harvesting. I have had extremely good service with Goodyear tires on my truck and that is all I will use on it.

I have almost decided to go for the FD_800_65R-32-R1W_HD_SGlRD which is Firestone and rear tires are 18.4-26-6 ply. Is this a good choiceIJ

From the combines I have seen in our area in ND, the Firestone 23 degree radial brand in varouis sizes seems to hold up the best for wear, weather checking, and ride. Of course, If they are too much money or not available, armstrong or goodyear are the only other 2 brands I would even look at.

If you are going in soft of sticky conditions, I would recommend going with R2 rubber. Goodyears seem to pull and shed mud a little beter and Firestones seem to wear a little better. I would choose the one with the strongest local dealer. Also, you will find thsy a 2 wheel drive combine with R2 rubber will get along better in the mud than a mud hog equipped combine with R1's. I've seen it on tractors too. MFD 7140 with R1's totally helpless in the mud with empty grain cart while an R2 equipped 2wd Case 2590 hauls grain all day with out a problem. Don't know how much more the R2's are, but if you spend much time in the slop, I'll bet they will pay for themselves. Have you considered dualsIJ My 9750 with 20.8X42 R2's gets along pretty well when it's wet.

I ran firestones R 1W on this years harvest. Put tons of road miles on them with hardly any tread wear. They were surprisingly good in myd. I was used to running R2 Goodwear TD8s on our combines back home. TD8s don't wear well if roaded a lot but we have NEVER been stuck in either of our 9600s with mud hogs.

I would strongly encourage you to look at at putting 28 x 26s on the rear, especially if you're going with 800's on the front. You will vastly improve your ride, especially over levees, pivot tracks, and corrugations. Also, they still go down 30" rows just fine, and you will reduce your chance of getting stuck by half. I realize you won't be quite as heavy as a 9750, but I think you'd see a similar improvement. I'll never go back now that I've had them.

I am not familiar with the front tire size you mentioned, is it metricIJ I use 30.5_32, 12 ply, R-1 on the front. That is one of the popular sizes around here and is good if you plan to haul it alot. I would prefer at least a 10 ply R-1 tire on the rear. I use a 18.4_26 FWD, which is used on front wheel assist tractors. I have rear assist on my combine so these tires would not help much if you dont use rear assist.

Thanks much for the in fo.

I CHECKED INTO 28 l-26 FOR THE REAR, AND THEY WOUlD NOT GO BETWEEN 30" ROWS ON A 9650 STS, ACCORDING TO THE BOOK. IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO THIS AT 120" TREAD SETTING I WOUlD lIKE TO KNOW.