Farmall A Tire Sizes

J

Jordan Goodwin

Active member
Does anyone have photos of an A with 8.3-24 or 8-24 tires on 8" rims? I'm curious how they look, and while I like historical accuracy, I also like the suggestion made by Miller Tire and others to run the same width tire as rim for a more vertical sidewall and flatter tread. That said, it's my understanding that IH generally recommended running tires that were 1" wider than the rim, and that's what the service manual lists. I double-checked against an original rim I have off a 1941 tractor, dated Feb '42. It's marked "W9-24", matching the designation in the manuals that call for a 10-24 tire- a size not even available anymore. The W9-24 rim also measures 9" between the flanges, FYI. They call for 9-24s on W8-24 rims, and 11-24s on W10-24 rims. I have two tractors, the '41 with W9-24 rims for which I have an original set of nice Goodyear 9-24s I plan to mount (if it can be done without tearing them up, they're pretty hard) and I'm thinking 5.00-15 original style Firestones to match- but I need new rubber for the '46 that has 8" rims, and I am seriously contemplating the smaller tires- probably the ones that Miller sells as I am a sucker for the old style looks of the plain 45 degree bar tread. I would also go for the 4.00-15 fronts if I went for the 8.3 rears. Original style Firestones again. Anyhow, below is a link to the 8.3s that Miller sells (pretty reasonably these days too!) and I look forward to you guys' thoughts- though I know most folks tend towards the bigger tires. I'm not really interested in bigger than 9.5.

https://www.millertire.com/8-3-24-culto ... ire-8-ply/
 
No pictures, but I have seen them with 8-24 tires and I thought they looked bizarrely small. Back then, they would have been on 7-inch rims. The common sizes were 9-24 and 10-24. The modern designation for 10-24 is 11.2-24 and they are available. The modern tire sizes are always in reference to a specific size rim, which is normally molded into the sidewall along with the size designation. These rims were generally wider than had commonly been used in the past, as in a 9-24 tire was generally on an 8-inch rim and the replacement 9.5-24 tires might have needed 9-inch rims to actually measure 9.5 inches.

I don't think the 1 inch difference in rim width will be that obvious. If the rim is under width by more than an inch, it starts to become obvious. I have seen that, usually with larger tire sizes, and some of those look bad. If I had 8-inch rims for an A, I would probably go with 9.5 tires. With 9-inch rims, I'd probably go up to an 11.2. It also depends on what I was going to use the tractor for.
 
I have both 9.5 and 11.2 in 130 and 140 and can not say I notice a difference in performance. They do look different. I will get some photos.

I do think the 8.3 would be too small and depending on the front wheel may make it look like it Is tilted back a little.
 
here are two 140s. The mostly yellow one has 9.5x 24 and red one has 11.2x 24
 

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I have a friend with a Farmall A that either has 8.3 or 9.5 turf tires on it and as Jim says, "comically small." Reminds me of those LCG highway mowing tractors.
 
Just wanted to add here that y’all convinced me to stick with the recommended rear tire size of 1” over rim width. Unfortunately for me, I have decided to abandon the restoration I was contemplating of my ‘46 A that has w8-24 rims, and return to the restoration of my late ‘41 A that has w9-24 rims. I’m thinking those rims are original, as the tractor has an end-of-1941 serial number, and casting dates through Jan-Feb 1942- and the rims are marked Feb. 1942. Wonder how many As that early had that size of rear rim/tire? So now I’m on the lookout for a pair of good 11.2-24s. I would prefer new tires, but I wish I could find some that were a bit more period correct looking than what seems to be currently available- doesn’t seem to be any options for a new tire right now with a plain 45 degree bar tread, much less one of the other patterns common in 1941-42. Carlisle/Carlstar was making one, a “R1-High Angle” but they seem to be discontinued. Guess I may have to just get lucky and find a good set of used ones. I have a nice set of 9-24 Goodyear Sure-Grips, but I’d like the larger tires for the larger rims. For fronts I am planning to get one of the reproduction tires that Miller offers, in 5.00-15 to match the larger rears.
 
Jordan Goodwin said:
Just wanted to add here that y’all convinced me to stick with the recommended rear tire size of 1” over rim width. Unfortunately for me, I have decided to abandon the restoration I was contemplating of my ‘46 A that has w8-24 rims, and return to the restoration of my late ‘41 A that has w9-24 rims. I’m thinking those rims are original, as the tractor has an end-of-1941 serial number, and casting dates through Jan-Feb 1942- and the rims are marked Feb. 1942. Wonder how many As that early had that size of rear rim/tire? So now I’m on the lookout for a pair of good 11.2-24s. I would prefer new tires, but I wish I could find some that were a bit more period correct looking than what seems to be currently available- doesn’t seem to be any options for a new tire right now with a plain 45 degree bar tread, much less one of the other patterns common in 1941-42. Carlisle/Carlstar was making one, a “R1-High Angle” but they seem to be discontinued. Guess I may have to just get lucky and find a good set of used ones. I have a nice set of 9-24 Goodyear Sure-Grips, but I’d like the larger tires for the larger rims. For fronts I am planning to get one of the reproduction tires that Miller offers, in 5.00-15 to match the larger rears.
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It seems like almost all new tractor tires have a tread design like they used in the Warsaw Pact countries in the late 70s. It’s hard to find many that look like something an old tractor woulda come with new.

I’d do some sketchy stuff if it would convince somebody to reproduce the old Firestone Champion Ground Grip “turkey track” tires from the late 40s in 7, 8.3, 9.5, and 11.2-24 sizes!

Al
 
ResWhile everyone is discussing rims,I have a question - will the outer rim from a B mount on the hub of an A?? I have a salvage B w usable outer rims and tires and an A suffering from calcium chloride disease!! Do want to keep the cast iron hub on the A, also,when/if I get to that point where’s the best source for sleeves and pistons for the A?
 
Dusty B said:
will the outer rim from a B mount on the hub of an A??
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I take it we are still talking about rear rims only. Fronts are a more complicated question. The rear rims used on the A and B are exactly the same. There were several choices of width, so you want to find a matching pair. The cast iron wheel centers belong on the right of an A, were used in pairs on a B.
 
Thanks for the confirmation! If there is anyone in central IL ( or elsewhere ) who has experience with the A’s please pm me, just got a 1946? Needs lots of TLC! So I need lots of advice! Sources for parts etc..
 
Did ya git them treasures haled home???? a is just like cub only a tad bigger! got and a and a sa here that I should sell. No time to mess with them and since the 140 is a REAL tractor, I am concentrating on keeping it going! LOL!
 
SONNY said:
Did ya git them treasures haled home???? a is just like cub only a tad bigger! got and a and a sa here that I should sell. No time to mess with them and since the 140 is a REAL tractor, I am concentrating on keeping it going! LOL!
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Home and torn apart! Going to mix part of my salvage B and the A to get, hopefully, a running A!
 
Jim Becker said:
I take it we are still talking about rear rims only. Fronts are a more complicated question. The rear rims used on the A and B are exactly the same. There were several choices of width, so you want to find a matching pair. The cast iron wheel centers belong on the right of an A, were used in pairs on a B.
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Thanks Jim, am going to use my salvage B as a donor tractor and hopefully get a decent A. Getting that cast iron hub out of the A was a challenge! Finally freed it up with the acetylene torch, rim was eaten up by the calcium chloride,
 
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