Mowing Finish mower replacement wheels?

[Marks481]

I have read several posts from people saying they were dissatisfied with the rear wheels on their finish mowers, and were planning to replace them. Has anybody actually replaced them, and where did you get teh replacement tires?

I notice that when I am mowing that the hard plastic rear wheels on the mower will plow the grass if I turn the mower when it is not moving (since the articulating motion when you turn the wheel causes the front mounted mower to try to slide sideways on the grass).

I recognize that this is a matter of experience, as I become used to the mower, I will leanr to not crank the wheel over when I am not moving, but it still seems that some rounder, rubber wheels would be a better choice.

My only other problem with the mower is that it seems like the hot exhaust from the muffler is leaving brown spots on my lawn. It is unfortunate that the muffler exhausts straight down instead of straight back from the tractor.

 

[J_J]

In reference to the muffler that is burning the grass, just weld or clamp a 90 degree elbow to the outlet.

 

[cqaigy]

Nice and simple solution!

 

[SnowRidge]

Those wheels are even worse on gravel. Every time I'm anywhere that sells wheels, I try and find rubber tired replacements. So far, no luck.

 

[pequeajim]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/551727-AntiScalpWheel.JPG

The ones for the back were had at Tractor Supply Company.

 

[SnowRidge]

Gosh, I've looked in there a dozen or more times and not seen those. Maybe it's a regional stock thing, but I'll check again for sure the next time I'm in there.

Thanks, and how do you like them compared to the originals?

 

[Bird]

I have no idea whether they would have the wheels you want or not, but our Northern Tool store sure has lots of different wheels in stock.

 

[pequeajim]

I put them on so that I could get the deck lower. I volunteer to cut grass at our local RC Flying field and like to get the grass as low as possible. They work great. I have 60 hours on mine with no problems.

I also replaced the front wheels with a rubber set that I got from Terry and they made a WORLD of difference. On my hilly yard, the pneumatic tires would pop off every other cut. Thanks PT for doing something about that.

 

[SnowRidge]

So, the rear replacements are smaller diameter than the originals, then? I don't know if that will work for us.

Regarding the fronts, we had the same problems. I finally replaced them with tubed, two piece ball bearing go kart wheels on both mowers. We haven't had a mower flat since.

 

[cqaigy]

<font color="red">tubed, two piece ball bearing go kart wheels </font>

Do you have a picture of those? Can i ask what you paid for the go kart wheels?

 

[SnowRidge]

Here's a link to the wheel assemblies I purchased. As you can see, spare parts are readily available. Home Depot and Manufacturers Supply sell tubes that have brass right angle valve stems that work well. Tubes with straight valve stems will work, but they are a pain to air up due to the lack of valve-hub clearance.

I bought a spare rim set, so that I would have something if I bent a wheel. So far I haven't needed it, even though I mostly mow rough ground.

Tractor Supply, Northern, and Harbor Freight all sell a similar looking wheel assembly for about $10. I gave one a try and got 1 1/2 mowings out of it before it popped a bearing race--and that was on smooth ground