MCC Posted July 7 Posted July 7 Hello, I was given a 14 rake with bad tires. The local IH mechanic told me I need to put aggressive tires on it or it wont drive the basket reliably. I have a like new set of 14" trailer tires for it but dont want to waste my time. I watched several youtube videos last night and the majority of the rakes did not have anything special for tires on them. I was curious what your experiences are. Thanks, Dan Quote
MeanGene1 Posted July 7 Posted July 7 With ours (in NY) we just used an old set of snow tires, worked great. I would think anything from a 4x4 etc. would be fine, lots of used ones come up for sale Quote
stronger800 Posted July 7 Posted July 7 how many rake tires out there are worn just about bald? And then a bunch more have car tires on them. Turning really tight where you are just about Jackknifed around might be about the only place where that inside tire might want to skid, imo. Going straight in a dry field, you’ll be fine 1 Quote
naedlaen Posted July 7 Posted July 7 You could always add a set of tire chains if you have issues. That said I have a Ford New Holland rake that I am sure has original tires that are hard and weather checked and I have not noticed any issues with the tires not driving the basket. I know that the tires on a New Idea rake I had skidded now and then, but I am sure that was a lot lighter rake weight wise. Neal Quote
mmi Posted July 7 Posted July 7 we have a 15 ,always had 16" rear truck BUT it is heavy NH have a lighter frame and need the tread type 60% of the time Quote
MCC Posted July 7 Author Posted July 7 Also, can anyone tell me what to lube the slip clutches with? Just an oil? I was told grease makes them too slippery and not drive the basket also. Thanks, Dan Quote
stronger800 Posted July 7 Posted July 7 We had two IH rakes for a long time. IDK the number, but they were the ones that look like a NH 256 (still have two of those) They came to me well used with worn car tires on them, and they worked just fine. I put the correct tires on them, just for cosmetic purposes. Quote
cedar farm Posted July 7 Posted July 7 I have a #16. It just has car tires on it. Never been a problem Quote
yellowrosefarm Posted July 7 Posted July 7 1 hour ago, MeanGene1 said: With ours (in NY) we just used an old set of snow tires, worked great. I would think anything from a 4x4 etc. would be fine, lots of used ones come up for sale This is what mine has had on it for 20 years. Quote
Dirt_Floor_Poor Posted July 7 Posted July 7 Our side delivery rakes would slip the tires occasionally in a big wad of wet hay without traction tires. I wouldn’t say it was really a problem. Any tires would work 99.9% of the time. Quote
Jeff-C-IL Posted July 7 Posted July 7 Good luck finding any used 14" tires today! Unless your trailer tires are "slicks", use them. Other than "lug tread"....the best is the old 14" truck mud tires. I think auto radials actually have more traction then the older bias tires anyway. Quote
acem Posted July 7 Posted July 7 Old car tires work on mine except every now and then with some heavy green/wet hay. Not too sure the tread would make a difference though... Quote
MeanGene1 Posted July 7 Posted July 7 4 minutes ago, Jeff-C-IL said: Good luck finding any used 14" tires today! Unless your trailer tires are "slicks", use them. Other than "lug tread"....the best is the old 14" truck mud tires. I think auto radials actually have more traction then the older bias tires anyway. How many you want? I actually have a set of 14" snow tires on an old set of mag wheels Quote
stronger800 Posted July 7 Posted July 7 14 inch car tires are getting rare, just like a 15 inch truck tires did 20 years ago. I needed a set for an Elevator a few years back and I ended up buying a new pair of new 14 inch snow tires because they were cheapest. Quote
MCC Posted July 8 Author Posted July 8 Thanks everyone, I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. I will try my trailer tires and if I have problems I would probably try fluid in the tires before buying different ones. Thanks Dan 1 Quote
MCC Posted August 24 Author Posted August 24 Well i used my new to me rake with trailer tires on it today and it worked great! 1 Quote
Binderoid Posted August 24 Posted August 24 On 7/7/2026 at 5:30 PM, MCC said: Also, can anyone tell me what to lube the slip clutches with? Just an oil? I was told grease makes them too slippery and not drive the basket also. Thanks, Dan If you're talking about the ratchets, flood them with any oil you have handy. If they start slipping, you have weak / broken springs or the pawls are stiff on their pivots ... or the pawls are worn out, which I have never seen occur on any brand of rake. Quote
HydroTek Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Chainsaw bar oil is my goto oil for general purpose -- tractor supply oil or Poulan is you can find it Quote
stronger800 Posted August 24 Posted August 24 Round tires worked, we saved you $400. I hope pictures get fixed someday 1 Quote
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