skidder tire size?

rick f · June 16, 2011, 01:34:30 PM

Guys, my old clark has 16.9 x 30 tires now. My buddy found a pair of 18.4 x 30 skidder tires. How much diffrence is there in the rolling circumfrence of these sizes? Would it be a no-no to have diffrent sizes on the bak then the front?

Thank you

tyb525 · June 16, 2011, 06:42:52 PM

I'm not sure how the 4x4 works on skidders, but on most vehicles with 4x4 the front and rear rolling circumference should be the same.

As long as they're all the same size, they should work.

overtime · June 16, 2011, 06:49:13 PM

Don't miss match sizes

ga jones · June 16, 2011, 07:45:48 PM

8 inches taller aint gona work.............

tyb525 · June 16, 2011, 10:40:17 PM

It will if there arent fenders in the way

WH_Conley · June 16, 2011, 11:17:53 PM

Profile of the tire will make a lot of difference. The main thing is circumference, if that is the same they will work. It has to be exact.

acco1840 · June 17, 2011, 04:41:22 AM

My old 1977 cat 518 runs 18.4 x 34 as standard. I ran 2 16.9 x 34's on the back and had no problem.

rick f · June 17, 2011, 07:03:25 AM

Thanks guys good advice as always

oldseabee · June 17, 2011, 10:05:48 PM

The Clark has no spins in both axles and no seperation of the front and rear drivelines. Odd sizes will give you driveline wrap up and you will either be pushing two tires or dragging two tires, extra load on the machine and doesn't help tire wear either. Keep the sizes equal front to rear.

thumper · June 21, 2011, 11:04:46 PM

i think the width of the tires is the only diff. the height is close with those two sizes..??

chevytaHOE5674 · June 22, 2011, 08:14:44 AM

Quote from: thumper on June 21, 2011, 11:04:46 PM
i think the width of the tires is the only diff. the height is close with those two sizes..??

A firestone 16.9-30 is 59.2" tall with a rolling circumference of 178"
An offbrand 18.4-30 is 60.9" tall with a rolling circumference of 196.5"

So one of the tires is going to have to travel/slip almost 20" more for every revolution. That is quite a bit.

tyb525 · June 22, 2011, 03:33:31 PM

only thing I can think of would be to lower the air pressure in the taller tires, essentially reducing the rolling circumference. I'm not sure that would be a good idea, though.

lumberjack48 · June 22, 2011, 04:00:01 PM

Do not run different size tires or you will be paying dearly in days to come.

rick f · June 22, 2011, 08:30:33 PM

A firestone 16.9-30 is 59.2" tall with a rolling circumference of 178"
An offbrand 18.4-30 is 60.9" tall with a rolling circumference of 196.5"

Can you tell me were this info was found? I tried to find it and could not.

Thanks for all the replys.

I'll be putting on the 16.9 x 30. So they all will match.

chevytaHOE5674 · June 22, 2011, 08:46:01 PM

I got it from the firestone ag website, and some other website that listed a 18.4-30 tire.

saltydog · June 23, 2011, 12:55:01 PM

there both 30 s i would run them. no different than having well worn rears and putting on new fronts. who can afford all new tires nowadays? mine are over 2000.00 each. ill be runnin used tires the rest of my life.

thumper · June 23, 2011, 06:49:18 PM

Quote from: saltydog on June 23, 2011, 12:55:01 PM
there both 30 s i would run them. no different than having well worn rears and putting on new fronts. who can afford all new tires nowadays? mine are over 2000.00 each. ill be runnin used tires the rest of my life.

exactly.. i looked at mine today, worn rears newer fronts. big diff in height.. id run them and make some money. its not like we run skidders on hot top roads..