Finish mowing with R1 ("ag") tires -- solutions?

[forest8]

My tractor has R1 ("ag") tires, with aggressive tread. Works great in mud and mowing brush, but tears up the lawn, which my wife does not like . For finish mowing, especially when the ground is soft/damp, any ideas aside from swapping out the tires?

I was thinking it could be possible to make tire covers out of old carpet, and attach them around the tires similar to snow chains. Before trying this crazy idea, wondering if anyone else has tried it?

Any other suggestions how to do finish mowing on a lawn with R1 tires without tearing it up?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Supraman0614]

I found the best solution to be not mowing with my tractor. I tried a 72" rear discharge deck, and even purchased a set of turf tires. I mowed my lawn (~7 acres) for a season that way, and found that I still tore up the grass in a few areas, even with the turf tires. Worse, the weight of the tractor caused small "ruts", even though I changed the direction of cut every time I mowed. I ended up buying a commercial front mower and got rid of the mower deck for the tractor.

 

[forest8]

Thank you, Supraman. That is both very good advice and bad news for me, I was hoping not to be looking at a new machine. Maybe unavoidable.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

Thank you, Supraman. That is both very good advice and bad news for me, I was hoping not to be looking at a new machine. Maybe unavoidable.

Best option is to get a zero turn and use the tractor for tractor work

 

[oldnslo]

what size tractor and what type of soil is your lawn? I mow mine with my Branson 2400H and yes when wet you will leave tracks but I also have option of mowing with my JD X540 mower which will also leave tracks when ground is wet like driving through standing water in low ground. Mine is a country yard no ta manicured lawn.

When wet zero turns will also tear up the lawn if you are not real careful on turns since one rear wheel is potentially skidding or spinning while turning.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

what size tractor and what type of soil is your lawn? I mow mine with my Branson 2400H and yes when wet you will leave tracks but I also have option of mowing with my JD X540 mower which will also leave tracks when ground is wet like driving through standing water in low ground. Mine is a country yard no ta manicured lawn.

When wet zero turns will also tear up the lawn if you are not real careful on turns since one rear wheel is potentially skidding or spinning while turning.

Totally agreed, if its too wet even a push mower wheel will leave tracks. Mowing is best when its dry and not water logged.

 

[chim]

Said it before, but the best combo that I've found is the L4240 with R4's and a 7-1/2' RFM for our 3-1/2 acres. Some hills, buildings, trees and a creek to deal with. It's the 5th tractor since building here 30 years ago.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 @ 10,100# tears up my lawns - no matter what time of year. I have a dedicated mower - JD 570.

 

[forest8]

what size tractor and what type of soil is your lawn? I mow mine with my Branson 2400H and yes when wet you will leave tracks but I also have option of mowing with my JD X540 mower which will also leave tracks when ground is wet like driving through standing water in low ground. Mine is a country yard no ta manicured lawn.

When wet zero turns will also tear up the lawn if you are not real careful on turns since one rear wheel is potentially skidding or spinning while turning.

Thanks, @oldnslo. The tractor is a Kioti NX60 with ballast-filled tires, so weighing about 6,500 lbs. The soil I'm on is unfortunately pretty soft and often with a lot of moisture.

It seems the consensus advice is not to use the tractor for mowing in these conditions, but get a proper zero turn mower. I'll see if that's in the cards. I appreciate your input.

 

[Muhammad]

Thanks, @oldnslo. The tractor is a Kioti NX60 with ballast-filled tires, so weighing about 6,500 lbs. The soil I'm on is unfortunately pretty soft and often with a lot of moisture.

It seems the consensus advice is not to use the tractor for mowing in these conditions, but get a proper zero turn mower. I'll see if that's in the cards. I appreciate your input.

Oh jeez it's not like you've got a little mini machine, 6500lbs on R1s will cause some issues. But I for one would love to see the homemade carpet tire covers at least attempted. The concept is interesting for sure.

You can also keep an eye out for a set of used wheels to put on your machine for your turf use, if you really want to use the tractor. But by the time you factor in the finish mower cost and the wheels and tires I bet you're going to be above the cost of a decent little ZTR... if you go that route, the pros love kawasaki engines in the gas powered models.

 

[MoKelly]

Thanks, @oldnslo.

It seems the consensus advice is not to use the tractor for mowing in these conditions, but get a proper zero turn mower. I'll see if that's in the cards. I appreciate your input.

I’ve been down your road. I started out hoping to find a solution that was as least costly as possible. I had a ATV so I got a pull behind mower. Didn’t work out (way too slow and not big enough).

Then I got a tractor with 60 inch RFM. Works great on long, open flat areas. Still kind of slow.

Finally got a ZTR. Got a commercial model. Wow. Mows as fast as I can go, does berms. Goes around trees. Turns fast. Cuts time down by 50%.

MoKelly

 

[Birdhunter1]

If it is your front tires doing most of the damage on turns (which is likely) swap your front tires to the opposite side where the tread is backwards, it will not cut as hard on turf and will still offer decent enough traction mowing brush and such on a hillside.

 

[Username Taken]

What I use on my 5 acres is a Husky 54'' ZT with the Kawasaki engine (there's a difference). And it has several buildings, a bunch of trees and other stuff to go around. Takes an afternoon depending on breaks but I also drive very slow, it's got ruts in it. These will go as fast as you want

We did it with a small tractor for a while and, frankly, it was a PITA. Plus, if I never see a MMM again, it will be too soon. I am convinced the MMM was invented by Torquemada. A pull behind ain't cheap and you end up having to use something else to get around the places the finish mower won't get. And the center of gravity is really low on a ZT. It can take on hills that you never thought possible, depending on your nerves. It will go places and do things I really don't want to go.

Just my $.02 and worth even less

 

[oosik]

If the ground is soft the "carpet trick" will leave tracks but without chevrons. Even with my JD 570 and uber wide R-3 turf tires will leave tracks. If I mow when the ground is soft.