MT665 tire spacing for cultivating

[farmjazz]

I'm shopping for a tractor to plant 16R30, cultivate 8r30, and pull 700 bu. grain cart. With cultivating 30" rows, been advised to stay away from 20.8 drive tires, make sure to get 18.4" drives. I came across a MT665 that I really like the looks of, but it has 20.8 drive tires on it.

The current tractor I cultivate with has 20.8" drive tires, and all in all, it works good, but there is the infrequent time when a drive tire will squash some plants in the row. Since it is the only option I have had, I've put up with it. The tires are over 60" center to center, no room to move tires closer together.

With shopping for a bigger and better tractor, I have been focusing on 18" drives, but I wonder if there are some instances that 20.8 could work better than my current tractor (Case 2394). Especially curious since I've found this Challenger tractor that I really like the looks of.

Can the tires on this tractor be spaced to be 60" wide, center to center, making the 20.8 tires acceptable for cultivating? If not, is there a way to change tire set-up that doesn't cost the farm?

Thanks for your help.

Steve

[nebrmassey]

Are they 20.8-42s and what size front tires are on the 665? I am almost certain the MT665 is the same tractor as a Massey 8280 or Agco 240 so there may be some 18.4s at an Agco or Massey dealers lot. On our MT635 with 18.4-46 tires the rears will go into 60" centers and it works great to cultivate with. I was told by a tire dealer that an 18.4-46 and a 20.8-42 tire is interchangable so as not to mess up the front to rear ratio. I have never measured them but I very much doubt if they are.

[farmjazz]

Seller told me drives are 520-85, or 20.8-46. Will have to find out what the fronts are. He bought some 18.4-42 from a neightbor real good price for a different tractor. I wish I knew for sure if 20.8 or 18.4 can use same wheel, or always has to be different. If you need more info to help me, let me know.