Wider tyres and better ride?

barr11

Member
We’ve got a Massey 5465 quite a rough ride, pretty uncomfortable to be honest at times. It’s currently got Goodyear 18.4r38 and 14.9r28’s, it’s on 15” and 12” rims so I was wondering about going a tad wider to help with the ride comfort, but can’t go a lot. Running around 18psi on the rears and 16 on the front at present, so not ridiculous pressures.

Was thinking something like a 520/70 and 420/70, the current tyres are probably around 80% so obviously don’t need changing. Am I just wasting money by doing so or has anyone done this and had a nicer ride on wider tyres?

Cheers
 

barr11

Member
From what I’d seen online on most manufacturers recommendations, 520/70’s were permissible on a 15” which I took as not ideal but ok, where as 520/85’s weren’t. Not sure why they’re different because as you say both the same width..
 

Boohoo

Member
Location
Newtownabbey
In general, 70 series tyres will be more comfortable than 85 series and 65 series will be more comfortable than 70 series but I wouldn't be too quick to get rid of tyres that were still 80% unless I was getting a good price for them.
520/70 are permitted on a 15" rim because they're designed to replace 18.4 or 460/85
 

DeeGee

Member
Location
North East Wales
I have 2 identical tractors, one on 16.9 85R 38, the other on 18.4 85R 38.
The difference in ride is night and day. So, as so often in life, that extra inch and a half makes all the difference....
Bragging and boasting again eh David? I suppose I’ll just have to admit defeat and take your word for it.

Yet again on this forum I feel totally and utterly inadequate, Not only do I not have two identical tractors, but I can’t go any bigger than 16.9.
 

barr11

Member
I have 2 identical tractors, one on 16.9 85R 38, the other on 18.4 85R 38.
The difference in ride is night and day. So, as so often in life, that extra inch and a half makes all the difference....
Just out of curiosity, are they both on the same brand of tyre or are they different?
 

barr11

Member
Both on BKT, which are not as nice a ride as the original Michelins the 18.4 tractor came on, obviously.
Thanks David, I do wonder if the current tyres aren’t helping, they just seem very hard somehow even at low speed around the yard it seems to throw you about.
 

dowcow

Member
Location
Lancashire
I had 540/65/R38 and 440/65/R28 on my MF5465 and changed to 520/70/R38 and 420/70/R38 and it is a fair bit more comfortable. The old tyres were Firestone, new ones are BKT, and it isn't just that there is more sidewall but the treads are a lot deeper than the Firestones were even when new.

There is more to it than just width or sidewall though. One tyre from a certain brand might perform great on one tractor with a particular weight and wheel base, but then be a bit naff on something else, while a different sized tyre from the same manufacturer might perform better. Another brand of tyre might be the other way around.

The MF5465 is a rather peculiar case, as it is quite a bit longer wheelbase than most tractors of similar power and quite a bit lighter than most tractors with a similar wheelbase.
 

barr11

Member
I had 540/65/R38 and 440/65/R28 on my MF5465 and changed to 520/70/R38 and 420/70/R38 and it is a fair bit more comfortable. The old tyres were Firestone, new ones are BKT, and it isn't just that there is more sidewall but the treads are a lot deeper than the Firestones were even when new.

There is more to it than just width or sidewall though. One tyre from a certain brand might perform great on one tractor with a particular weight and wheel base, but then be a bit naff on something else, while a different sized tyre from the same manufacturer might perform better. Another brand of tyre might be the other way around.

The MF5465 is a rather peculiar case, as it is quite a bit longer wheelbase than most tractors of similar power and quite a bit lighter than most tractors with a similar wheelbase.
I know of a few people locally who had/have 5465’s and most weren’t happy with how they rode comfort wise. They always just seem a bit unsettled somehow.

I definitely don’t think the current Goodyear’s are helping, something just isn’t right with them somehow. You’d think with the longer wheelbase it should make it better with less pitching but doesn’t appear too..
 

daveydiesel1

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co antrim
I know of a few people locally who had/have 5465’s and most weren’t happy with how they rode comfort wise. They always just seem a bit unsettled somehow.

I definitely don’t think the current Goodyear’s are helping, something just isn’t right with them somehow. You’d think with the longer wheelbase it should make it better with less pitching but doesn’t appear too..
Ours is the same, i blame it on the goodyear tyres as once ye go near full open it just starts bouncin
 

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