Tires
Tires can be a significant part of restoration cost. And while there are many tire dealers in town, not all carry tractor tires and even fewer carry the tires that you want on your "H" tractor. Brand is not as important as design. The angel of the bars on rear tires will be either 23 degrees or the older traditional 45 degrees. It is the 45-degree tires that should be installed and are becoming hard to find.
In 1939, standard rear tires for the "H" were 7-32, 4-ply rubber tires mounted on pressed steel disk wheels. Other sizes were available as special equipment: 8:32 4-ply and 9:32 4-ply. As you can imagine, rim width varied to accommodate the three tires sizes. The wider sizes quickly became standard equipment, and most believe they look better on this tractor. As you shop around, you quickly realize that only the 9-inch tire remains available. Among those in the restoration community, the M.E. Miller Tire Company in Wauseon, Ohio stands head & shoulders above all the rest.
One of the products sold by M.E. Miller Tire Company is Black Tire Paint. I purchased a quart of this really great compound in the early 90's and now, some five or six tractors later, I still have some left! It is not a magic formula that will do away with weather cracks, but if does give old rubber a very new look that lasts. Brush it on. Spray it on. Either will give the same super result -- a return to newness in tire appearance that seems to last very well.
To purchase your quart of Black Tire Paint concentrate, email me a note for pricing and delivery.
One neat feature about Miller Tire is their Show Schedule also displayed on their website -- the reason the show schedule may be significant to you is free freight for tires you buy from Miller if you can pick them up from the Miller folks at the show. And so -- visit their website soon.
