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Steel Wheels Fitted With Tread
“Our new rubber-covered, rubber tread rear steel wheels provide the grip of an air-filled, lugged rear tire while also maintaining a smoother ride,” says JS Welding, Kirkwood, Penn., explaining that air-filled tires are not allowed in many Plain communities, such as the Amish.
    The company recently sent FARM SHOW photos of a John Deere compact tractor equipped with yellow steel wheels on back which are completely covered by rubber tread.
    “We’ve specialized in manufacturing steel wheels for tractors, loaders, and other heavy machinery since 2005. This new way of using rubber lugs on steel wheels offers a big improvement in both traction and comfort,” says Melvin Stoltzfus. “They don’t ride quite as nice as conventional air-filled tires, but there isn’t a lot of difference.”
    The rear wheels consist of 2 steel rings with a series of channel irons welded onto them. Two layers of rubber belting are bolted to the channel irons. The inside layer is flat and 3/4 in. thick, while the outside layer looks much like a conventional rear tractor tire except that the sidewalls are cut off and you can see bolt heads between the lugs.
    “We’ve tested the design extensively and it works even better than we expected,” says Stoltzfus. “As the inside layer of rubber belting contacts the ground it bulges up a little, but the channel irons are thick enough to keep the rubber from contacting the rings and causing a bumpy ride. The lugs on the outside layer are centered between the channel irons so they flex as they contact the ground. Also, the bulge at the middle of the tire contacts the ground between the rings, which adds to the flexibility. It results in great traction and a comfortable ride.”
    A set of 16.9 by 24 tires, as shown in the photo, sells for $3,000 plus S&H. A set of 18.4 by 38 tires sells for $4,050 plus S&H.
    The company is looking for dealers.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Daniel Stoltzfus, JS Welding, 241 W Ridge Rd., Nottingham Penn. 19362 (ph 717-803-3635)


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2019 - Volume #43, Issue #3