16.9-34 Tractor Tires

Buying 16.9-34 tractor tires

16.9-34 is a rear tire for utility and row-crop tractors. It is about 16.9 inches (429 mm) wide on a 34-inch wheel. It sits between the 16.9-30 and the taller 16.9-38, which share its width but fit different wheels, and it is found on many mid-size tractors used for hay, livestock and row crops.

The radial equivalents are 16.9R34 and 420/85R34. A radial gives more pull and a smoother ride; bias costs less and suits loader work and modest yearly hours.

Easy to confuse

• 16.9-30, 16.9-34 and 16.9-38 share the same width. Only the rim size, the last number on the sidewall, tells them apart.
• 16.9-34 vs 18.4-34: same rim, but the 18.4 is wider and taller and needs a wider rim and more fender room.

What to check

• Tread: R-1 for field work; ask about R-1W for wet ground.
• Ply rating: 6-ply and 8-ply are common. Go higher with a loader.
• Front-wheel-assist ratio: changing rear size or construction changes it. Check before ordering.
• Used tires: ask for the tread depth, the date code and photos showing any cracks between the lugs.
• Pairs: replace both rears together.

Send the quantity, new or used, and the delivery location for a quote.

What else is 16.9-34 called?

You will see 16.9-34, 16.9×34, 16.9/34 or 16.9 34: a bias-ply tire 16.9 in (429 mm) wide for a 34 in (864 mm) rim. The radial version is 16.9R34, and the usual metric radial match is 420/85R34. Owners on tractor forums describe the 420/85R34 as essentially a 16.9R34, and our height table agrees.

How does 16.9-34 compare with other 34 in rim sizes?

Nominal figures use the standard size formula with an 85% aspect ratio for old inch sizes, so real tires vary. R-1W radials have deeper lugs, and one owner on a forum reports about 50% more tread depth than a standard R-1 in the 420/85R34. That is one person’s claim, so ask for the actual lug depth of the tire you are buying. See the R1 vs R1W guide.

Is 34 in or 38 in the better rim for your tractor?

Larger rims carry larger tires and more weight. If you are changing rim size you also need wheels, so check the tractor maker’s list first. Stay with the size your tractor was built for unless you have a reason to change.

What do 16.9-34 tires cost on our site?

We list 10 models in 16.9-34. 8 have a listed price, from $75 (Ozka KNK50) to $1,342 (BKT TR 135) per tire, with a median of $920. Prices are per tire in US dollars and change with stock and season.

How tall is the 16.9-34 tire?

The nominal overall diameter is about 62.7 in (1,593 mm), which gives a rolling circumference near 197 in (5,006 mm). That figure is an estimate that assumes an 85% aspect ratio, the usual rule for old inch sizes. Real tires vary by make and load, so treat it as a guide and use the tire diameter calculator or the lead-lag calculator before you change size on a front-wheel-assist tractor.

Is 16.9-34 a radial or a bias tire?

It is a bias-ply size. The dash in the size marks bias construction, which costs less and has stiffer sidewalls. See the radial vs bias guide.