Front/rear tire ratio on 4WD tractors
What happens if the front/rear outside-diameter ratio changes when you replace tires on a 4WD tractor.
In short
On a 4WD tractor the front wheels turn slightly faster than the rear (the factory usually sets a small lead of about 1–5%). This is calculated from the rolling circumference of the front and rear tires.
If the ratio is off
- The axles fight each other and tires wear fast on the road.
- Front axle, transmission and 4WD clutch are strained.
- Fuel use goes up and steering gets heavier.
What to do
Choose a new front/rear pair with a ratio close to one of the factory pairs. Use the 4WD match check on the home page.