Skidder tire sizing question!

[Oliveoaks]

We have an international s7 series B skidder. The tires on it are 16.9×30. This is a difficult tire size to find in forestry tires. Can I replace them with 18.4×30 and keep the rims that currently have the 16.9×30?

[snowstorm]

almost all the deere 440 came with 16.9 30

[Kodiakmac]

almost all the deere 440 came with 16.9 30

Yup.  I replaced one about a year and a half ago.  There were all sorts available at that time.  

[tacks Y]

I am not an expert but...... I would put the 18.4 on those rims if that is what I found.

[newoodguy78]

Not sure on forestry tires but on ag an 18.4 and 16.9 are interchangeable, I've done it. Going wider I'd just make sure you have the clearance. 

[Frickman]

I used to own an old John Deere 440 with 16.9-30 tires. New tires were very easy to find, but a little pricey. I ran Firestone Forestry Specials. Any Firestone dealer should be able to get them for you. The Firestone auto tire dealer in town used to get them for me.

[newoodguy78]

I bet the issue he's having is supply chain related. The most common of items can be like finding hens teeth. I sure don't understand it but deal with it every day. 
Was just talking to a local guy yesterday that's in the dirt work business. He's having a hard time getting 24.5 truck tires in the brand he's been running and had good luck with for years. He's not looking for deals either, he's more than willing to pay. His dealer of almost thirty years simply can't get them. 

[barbender]

I just heard the other day that NAF axle parts (used on a lot of cut to length machines) are getting hard to come by- they are a German company I think, but the castings and some of the steel comes from...Ukraine. We have a Cat 535 Skidder waiting on EGR parts, 6 weeks they say. The dealer has it running in limp mode plugging the DPF filter, but otherwise it has to get parked.