How to Measure Tractor Tires

When a tractor tire goes flat and needs replacing, it can be quite a task to find a tire that size. If the tire is worn badly, the sidewalls have sun damage ,and the tire model number is undecipherable, you will have to measure it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure Paint sticks

1. Scratch the sidewall free of dust and sun damage and analyze the inner lip of the tire to locate the tire model number. If you can't find the tire model number, go onto the next step.

2. Hold paint sticks flushly to the sides of the top of the tractor tire. Have a friend measure the distance between the two and record the width of the tire. This width measurement may have some error, as the tire may be warped or under inflated because it is flat, but the width should be very close to the width of the new tire you will purchase.

3. Hook the end of the tape measure between the tractor tire's rim and rubber inner lip. Stretch the tape to the other side of the rim. Adjust the tape measure back and forth along the opposite rim edge; the longest measurement will be the measurement you want for the tire's inner diameter.

4. Place a paint stick on a low point between rubber tracks, and measure from the edge of the paint stick that is flush to the tire sidewall to the other outer edge of the tractor tire (the paint sticks allow you to be more precise than just eyeballing where edges of the tire start). Adjust the tape measure back and forth along the opposite outer edge of the tractor tire; the longest measurement will be the measurement you want for the tire's outer diameter.

Tips & Warnings

• Call the tractor's manufacturer and give the staff your tractor brand, model and year, and ask for the specific tire size that should be on that type of tractor. Take this suggested size and model number with your three measurements you took to the tire repair place and order the correct tire.