Changes to new F2690

[arto98607]

.... A couple of points about the recommendation from arto98607. The wheels he linked too are the right size, but they are white instead of orange (if that matters to you). Also the axle for the wheels would take a fair amount of work to make. I have a lathe and welder and I could make the axle from drill rod as arto98607 suggests, but new axles were $40 each on eBay and my time is worth more than that if I were to make them myself. They are not simple:

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OK I understand.

There is a noticable difference in the design!

My F3060 has a rear discharge deck (RC72R-F30) with very simple axle shafts of straight 3/4 inch "rods" with 5/32" cotter pin holes drilled at each end.

Photos before any cleaning of mud etc.

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The old tires are Marathon Flat-Free 9 x 3.50 - 4 inch wide solid rubber tires, with few big chunks of tire rubber missing - however they could still be used but look pretty ugly.

I am in the process of installing a new replacement deck shell and rebuilding or repairing anything that's worn out.

This is a 3500 hour ex. municipal mower where the deck was simply operated too close to the ground (in my opinion), which caused lot of wear in the deck parts. The deck wore out but the good news is the rest of the mower was serviced regularly and is in good shape!

:ambulance:

 

[IvanS]

$8 each shipping for me but nothing says this is a solid rubber tire on their page plus the other tires on the page of the same size don't look to be solid. I guess your positive it's solid rubber with no tube or valve stem?

I'm quite certain that it is a flat free solid tire as that's the only kind of tire that Amerityre produces - their website: Mower Tires Archives - Amerityre Corporation

 

[628pm]

No tubes and dealer said it was a solid tire

 

[cold1313]

I emailed my Kubota dealer and they are unable to find a solid tire kit from Kubota for the mower deck.

So do we know what tires are needed to be ordered, using the factory bolts etc? I have a F3990 with the side discharge and would love to switch over to solid tires.

 

[IvanS]

I emailed my Kubota dealer and they are unable to find a solid tire kit from Kubota for the mower deck.

So do we know what tires are needed to be ordered, using the factory bolts etc? I have a F3990 with the side discharge and would love to switch over to solid tires.

I have a set I'd sell for what they cost me, pm me.

 

[628pm]

Here are a couple of pictures of the tires. The factory rims were used.

 

[kuboman]

Here are a couple of pictures of the tires. The factory rims were used.

Are they completely solid or do they have a hollow core. Will they flex any?

 

[IvanS]

Don't know about the Amerityre, but the Carefree ones I have are a high density solid polyurethane foam, flexes a bit, probably about the same as a properly inflated pneumatic, maybe a bit less. The nice thing about the gauge wheels on these mowers is they are a three piece wheel. You can unbolt the wheel half's and assemble them back together inside the solid foam tire. With one piece wheels, you have to have them pressed onto the rim using a special cone and press.

Thus, these wheels can be converted to solid core by just purchasing the tires. I bought the tires and then discovered I needed new wheels (roller bearings worn out) I have since found I can by the wheel and solid tire combo for less than buying them individually so I am selling the tires.

You can buy the tires direct from from Carefree Tire - part number TI-9350-4275S.

9/3.5-4 inch Smooth Tire, 2.75 inch Bead Width - Carefree Tire

This is a 9 x 3.50-4 (2.75 bead width) for $24.95 each plus shipping and tax (if you live in TN). There are other sources and brands - Ameritye like 628pm has - being one. Be sure you get the 2.75" bead width. Available on eBay as well. If you are shopping for the wheel / tire combo, be sure you know your shaft size and hub width. Many suppliers list the 4" x 5/8" hub as correct for these decks. Mine needs a 3/4" x 3 1/4" hub.

I was lucky to find new axles on eBay for a reasonable price as well. Keep these wheels greased.....

Good luck.

 

[cold1313]

I have a set I'd sell for what they cost me, pm me.

I'll have to double check and make sure the wheels are any different on my 2014 72" side discharge. I would assume they are the same....

 

[628pm]

Ordered the mulching kit for the f2690 on Friday, dealer said I would get it this week. I bought an extra set of blades when purchasing the F, dealer said he would take them back. Dealer in Okawville Illinois has always worked hard to meet my needs. I do like to buy local if I can.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ordered the mulching kit for the f2690 on Friday, dealer said I would get it this week. I bought an extra set of blades when purchasing the F, dealer said he would take them back. Dealer in Okawville Illinois has always worked hard to meet my needs. I do like to buy local if I can.

It is great to have a dealer to work with us. I had accumulated several Kubota filters (Engine oil and Hyd) for several different Kubota models. I had determined which ones fit the currently owned Kubotas and took the others back to Barlows. Some of them had been written on with magic marker designating which model they fit. Gary traded me filters to fit my currently owned models for the ones that wouldn't fit my models and one was a suitable fit so brought my bag of usable filters back home and got like 84 cents back. :thumbsup::cool2:

 

[628pm]

My dealer did the same for me on the filters. While I have bought 3 or 4 Kubota's from my local dealer, it was a pleasure to buy from Brady at Barlow's also. It is great to have dealers who work with you.

 

[cold1313]

Don't know about the Amerityre, but the Carefree ones I have are a high density solid polyurethane foam, flexes a bit, probably about the same as a properly inflated pneumatic, maybe a bit less. The nice thing about the gauge wheels on these mowers is they are a three piece wheel. You can unbolt the wheel half's and assemble them back together inside the solid foam tire. With one piece wheels, you have to have them pressed onto the rim using a special cone and press.

Thus, these wheels can be converted to solid core by just purchasing the tires. I bought the tires and then discovered I needed new wheels (roller bearings worn out) I have since found I can by the wheel and solid tire combo for less than buying them individually so I am selling the tires.

You can buy the tires direct from from Carefree Tire - part number TI-9350-4275S.

9/3.5-4 inch Smooth Tire, 2.75 inch Bead Width - Carefree Tire

This is a 9 x 3.50-4 (2.75 bead width) for $24.95 each plus shipping and tax (if you live in TN). There are other sources and brands - Ameritye like 628pm has - being one. Be sure you get the 2.75" bead width. Available on eBay as well. If you are shopping for the wheel / tire combo, be sure you know your shaft size and hub width. Many suppliers list the 4" x 5/8" hub as correct for these decks. Mine needs a 3/4" x 3 1/4" hub.

I was lucky to find new axles on eBay for a reasonable price as well. Keep these wheels greased.....

Good luck.

Has anyone installed the tire that IvanS has in the link? My concern is the weight warning on the website:
DISCLAIMER
Load Capacity
Static
Static Load Cap: 350 lbs
Max
250 lbs @ 3MPH
180 lbs @ 6MPH
150 lbs @ 8MPH
NOTE
Carefree tires are not recommended to be used in the following applications:

Brush cutting mowers or any type of P.T.O. driven equipment such as finishing mowers and those pulled by tractors.

 

[cold1313]

JohnThomas - did you swap out the deck wheels?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

JohnThomas - did you swap out the deck wheels?

No. I had some previously bought tires and mounted them filled with Slime for now.

 

[arto98607]

I replaced mine with these 1 piece Carlisle wheels but still have the old 3 piece Marathon wheels.
They may still reusable with the Carefree replacement tires.

 

[arto98607]

By the way, we don't get long breaks in the mowing season here in the Pacific Northwest (on the "wet side" of the Cascades) - we mowed in early February and again yesterday so it pretty well goes on all year!

 

[628pm]

Going to get mine (f2690) out this week, it was stored at the inlaws farm since I mow their grass also. Might wait until I fertilize their yard with the bx. Bought a landpride 3 pt spreader the other day to use with the bx. Got tired of replacing the pull behind spreaders, also had a fimco electric spreader that lasted 6 years. Since the new landpride is run by pto it should last a long time if I perform the proper maintenance each time after using.