Technical Bulletins

Tractor Tires - European 15.3" Diameter, 9" Wide Rims - Safety Warning

Date: MAY, 1991

NOTE: This bulletin replaces Firestone Field Engineering bulletin #81. Attached is a self-explanatory RMA safety warning concerning the presence in the North American market of certain European farm implement equipment rims on which North American-made tires cannot be safely mounted. Note that although all these rims are 15.3" in diameter and 9" wide, those manufactured before 1982 are mis-marked as to diameter (i.e., marked 15"). No North American-made rims for farm implement use are 9" wide.

WARNING: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT FROM A BEAD BREAK CAUSED BY FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL THESE PRECAUTIONS:

Never mount a North American-made tire on any farm implement rim which is 9" wide. Always check the width before mounting.

Never mount a North American-made tire on any rim which is marked 15.3" in diameter.

For those farm implement rims which are 9" wide or marked 15.3" in diameter, use only the European tire sizes listed on the attached RMA notice.

Only specially trained persons should mount or demount tires. In no case should the inflation to seat the beads exceed 35 psi.

To determine in which country the tires are produced, check for molded in stamping in the lower sidewall area of the tire which will read, "Made in (Country)."