[Tad]

I have these tires:

on this tractor:

and they slip a lot tearing up my lawn. I was thinking of borrowing a tire groover and try to get them closer to something shown on this page of turf tire designs:
http://www.google.com/search?client=ubu ... 68&bih=790

Thoughts, suggestions?

-Tad

 

[Cronk]

Do you have any fluid in the tires? The extra weight may prevent slippage, that is, if slippage is what is causing the turf damage.

 

[Tad]

It has 6 gallons in each rear tire (half full) to give it around 100lbs on the rear tires. Yes the slip is what's causing the grass to get torn up. If at all wet it just spins a tire on an uphill corner. If I lock the diff it won't but then I tear up the grass under the other tire

-Tad

 

[TonkaToy]

I think you are a prime candidate for V lug tires like the ones Squatch put on his cub cadet. Look at his thread on here about his Rat Rod Cub Cadet. He had the same problem.

Good Luck!!

 

[Gizmo42]

Your tires are too rounded. You need a flatter profile. Flat all the way across is best. You can try airing them way down so they sit flat but the tread might not open the lugs enough that way.

 

[Tad]

I'm pretty sure that AG tires like the V-Lugs will tear up the grass even when they aren't slipping, at least according to what I've read.

I agree that a flatter profile would be nice. This takes 9.5x16 tires - the cheapest I've found is around $200/each. Firestone makes a turf tire that looks much flatter:
http://www.petestirestore.com/Firestone ... um=organic

But at $700/pair it's way out of the budget. Even chains for this size run upwards of $200/pair.

I'll try to air down some more. They aren't really aired up at this point but I'll confirm that I'm really low. It also has very round edges on the lugs which is contributing to the slippage.

-Tad

 

[squatch]

Actually the Ag tires do a lot less tearing up the ground because they don't slip,. They will leave some marking in soft soil but nothing I can't live with. The improvement in traction is amazing especially filled. Slipping turfs did much more damage to my place. You need more fluid as well. Normally put the valve on top and fill to the valve then air up. I used windshield washer fluid. 8 gallons in each rear for me. Best is probably Rim Guard. It's a brand name for beet juice. Doesn't freeze and weighs a lot more per gallon.
http://www.rimguard.biz/

I'm running Carlisle Tru-Powers in 26x12x12 and love them. Also have Vredestein v61 ribs on the front. Filled at all 4 corners.

This is a great place for tractor tires. Great customer service and carry tires others don't.
http://www.millertire.com/

Some folks are running Heavy Duty All Purpose (HDAP) tires with good results. More aggressive than turfs but less than AGs.
http://www.carlisletire.com/products/at ... atalog.pdf

I did some looking and you have kind of an odd size. Choices are mainly turf and AG lug. Neither comes cheap in that size. I think what you have is probably better than most turfs. Turfs are made for mowing on dry flat ground. Add hills or water and you find their limits very quickly. I'd call me miller above and ask for suggestions. They specialize in hard to find tire. Sort of the Coker tire for tractors.

One other thought is you might find a truck tire like a Mud Terrain to fiit that 16x9.50 rim that is the right diameter. Some folks have been known to do that. Run some Swampers or LTBs on your tractor.