ATV tires on a Zero Turn?

[Notforhire]

I just replaced my old rigid frame Ferris 1000Z with a new Ferris 2200, 52 inch deck.

I like the mower I hate the Carlisle turf tires it came with. Traction is terrible, I leave skid marks just slowing down!

Because of the 52 inch deck they mount narrower tires than those on a 61. The factory tire is 24x9.5x12
I'm thinking about going to a more aggressive tread ATV tire in a 24x10x12 which is a more popular size.

I had chevron style tires on my old machine and had less turf damage than I'm getting with my present turf (friendly?) tires.
My biggest problem is sliding sideways on loose grass clippings/hard ground, and no it's not a steep slope 5-10 deg.

Does anyone have experience with ATV tires on ZT's? Do you have any recommendations?

Help me please before I slide into the pond!

 

[seville009]

 

[Notforhire]

I noticed in the comments section of that video someone pointed out that those tires are only rated for 265 lbs.
The machine weighs 1319 lbs plus me (225)

I don't know if that is typical for all ATV tires????

 

[herm0016]

at what psi though? lots of atv tires are rated at a very low psi.

i would not worry about that part much, as you are going much slower on a mower.

I put atv tires on my last garden tractor and it made a huge difference in traction and did less damage to the turf. it just depends on if you can find them in a size that will work.

 

[tradosaurus]

I've been using "ATV" tires (or bar tires) on my zero turn for 3 years. I've never got stuck in slightly damp water like I did with the turf tires. In really dry conditions the turf tires probably tear up the yard less than bar tires but I live out in the country.

 

[Tinhack]

at what psi though? lots of atv tires are rated at a very low psi.

i would not worry about that part much, as you are going much slower on a mower.

I put atv tires on my last garden tractor and it made a huge difference in traction and did less damage to the turf. it just depends on if you can find them in a size that will work.

Those are 2-ply tires! Those wouldn't last a week around here. And there's HUGE difference between a garden tractor and a ZTR. My Bad Boy came with high traction tires. It took me a couple of mows to get used to the "improved traction" to keep from tearing up the lawn--What little lawn I have.

 

[tradosaurus]

6 ply zero turn tire
DEESTONE D405 R

 

[herm0016]

Those are 2-ply tires! Those wouldn't last a week around here. And there's HUGE difference between a garden tractor and a ZTR. My Bad Boy came with high traction tires. It took me a couple of mows to get used to the "improved traction" to keep from tearing up the lawn--What little lawn I have.

not that much difference, my GT was about 1k lbs and hydro have had several of both GT and ZTR. ATV tires work great on all of them. you can find ATV tires rated prober weight. i think the ones i used were 6 ply. current ZT has a size not readily available in atv tires, so I have turfs on it.

 

[sklunk]

There are lots of threads on here about different tires on zero turns. Carlisle has a new one out that I have been using for the last 2 years and have been VERY happy on slopes (almost no side-slip at all but still gentle on turf):

Versa Turf Tire

Versa Turf Tire is a radial construction for improved flotation, maximizing traction, superior mud-shedding performance. The tire to have in snow and ice.

www.carlislebrandtires.com

Goodyear makes a version now too:

Titan International - R14T™ Crossover Tire for Compact Tractors

www.titan-intl.com

 

[RalphVa]

Put these on the Ryobi ZT480e. LOTS better traction than stock turfs. However, they can really gough if you're not careful, particularly going downhill and turning.

Much much safer to use than the turfs.

 

[scaredychicken]

I noticed in the comments section of that video someone pointed out that those tires are only rated for 265 lbs.
The machine weighs 1319 lbs plus me (225)

I don't know if that is typical for all ATV tires????

divided by 4 ... it might work, but I think I would avoid switching over

I have an old Jacobsen ride on mower that has 13 inch tires & rims from a Honda Civic

 

[RoyJackson]

I had these Carlisle bar turfs

https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-AT101-Lawn-Garden-Tire/dp/B005O5NLOS/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1N7G1U471WC3R&keywords=bar+turf+tires&qid=1656542254&sprefix=bar+turf+tires%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-14&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d977788f-1483-4f76-90a3-786e4cdc8f10

mounted on my Deere ZT earlier this year
Much better grip, but seems to be to be bumpier ride...

​

 

[DK35vince]

I had these Carlisle bar turfs mounted on my Deere ZT earlier this year
Much better grip, but seems to be to be bumpier ride...

​

I have those on my zero turns and never noticed a rougher ride.
I run 8-9 PSI tire pressure

 

[RoyJackson]

I have those on my zero turns and never noticed a rougher ride.
I run 8-9 PSI tire pressure

Dealer installed them, and I've never checked the pressure...think I'll do that!
Thanks for your post!!

 

[DK35vince]

Dealer installed them, and I've never checked the pressure...think I'll do that!
Thanks for your post!!

Probably over inflated.
Run lower pressure and I'm betting you will notice a difference
I run 8-9 PSI front and rear.

 

[Notforhire]

Thank you all for replying. There are lots of tires, with lots of tread patterns to choose from. Unfortunately the OEM tire size 24x9.5x12 doesn't seem to be a very popular one. This is complicated by the fact that the sizing is not accurate across manufacturers. I read one comment about a tire that was advertised as a 10 wide was actually 8.5 wide.

Because of the 52 in. mower deck I'll need to pay more attention to the actual width.

I'll have to get a accurate measurement off my existing tires for a base line.
Theoretically if I change to a 25 diameter (which is much more popular) I would only raise the deck height 1/2 inch. That's assuming a 24 is 24 and a 25 is actually 25.
Right now I'm thinking about a QuadBoss QBT454 Radial Utility 25x10r12 6 ply. If you can believe the numbers, it should be just slightly larger than my current set.

Well I just went out and measured. My 24 dia is actually 23in and my 9.5 width is pretty close at 9.25.
So if a new 25 is actually 25, I would rase the deck one inch.

 

[Ken45101]

I put proper rated bar tires on my Kubota ZD323. Much better traction, less lawn damage. But make sure you get something with a proper weight rating. You don't want an overloaded tire letting loose when you are cutting across a hillside that shifts extra weight onto the one tire.

 

[oldpilot]

Amazing what I can learn on this forum!

 

[edmoor]

I filled all four of my Kubota b7100 with water and anti freeze..been in the tires now over 30 years..best tractor I ever used. I sold the mower deck..bought a smaller jd. For mowing..and chained up all 4 tires on b7100 added. Rear plow for winter. My tires are turf tires as well.

 

[Davenj4f]

I just replaced my old rigid frame Ferris 1000Z with a new Ferris 2200, 52 inch deck.

I like the mower I hate the Carlisle turf tires it came with. Traction is terrible, I leave skid marks just slowing down!

Because of the 52 inch deck they mount narrower tires than those on a 61. The factory tire is 24x9.5x12
I'm thinking about going to a more aggressive tread ATV tire in a 24x10x12 which is a more popular size.

I had chevron style tires on my old machine and had less turf damage than I'm getting with my present turf (friendly?) tires.
My biggest problem is sliding sideways on loose grass clippings/hard ground, and no it's not a steep slope 5-10 deg.

Does anyone have experience with ATV tires on ZT's? Do you have any recommendations?

Help me please before I slide into the pond!

I have a Ferris 2200 also, love it. I had the dealer install Michelin Tweel rear tires on it, no flats in the front also. The tire has a flatter footprint than the pneumatic tire, and I have found it to be more aggressive as far a slipping on loose terrain. I cut around a number of ponds, and have never slid like I did with the other tires.
I also don't have to worry about flats once a week anymore.