I've waited a week already for someone to ask you for specifics and pictures. But no-one did. So... gimme, gimme, gimme! Yeah - I have the same problem. I do have a concern though that if TOO much traction, is flipping the mower over likely?
Go the DR site and go to the pull behind mower section and pull up the pictures. Take a look at the tires they have mounted on that 44" self propelled mower. That is exactly the tire I have on my pool mower and are 6.5" wide, although I just found out DR uses them too a few minutes ago answering another question. Obviously they know they work too as they have them on their new mowers for sale.
I liked them so much I wanted a set for my 52" DR Versa-Pro Z which uses the 23x10x12, 4 ply. I found the CST 9309 Ambush Sport in that size and bought 2 from bikebandit.com. I just now pulled up the site and noticed they were on the first page now and the price had changed significantly from when I bought mine a couple of weeks ago. I just checked my bank account and I was charged $123.90 for a pair of these including shipping, receiving them in 2 business days. I was duly impressed with the product, price, and service.
They had a lot in stock at that time. Looks like a lot of folks jumped on the band wagon as there are only 2 left but at the price I paid for two. I guess the marketing software on their computer noticed they were selling fast and upped the price. Once you see the tread pattern that works, surely you can find another good deal like I got.
Main thing I found here is that you need the individual post on the ground to get the grip you need. My problem with bars wasn't weight, it was traction between the tire and the grass. Plus since the lugs were diagonal, there wasn't anything to stop sideways movement whereas the individual studs each have a gripping point. I was out yesterday with the DR mowing pool banks that I never attempted before and that sucker just walked up and down the bank.
On weight, the original pool mower I modified is the conventional single pump solid rear axle riding mower. Theme with it was light weight. With the tires on it, it does the job intended. On the DR I had added a lot of weight (to it's already (900#) out beyond the rear of the mower to counter balance the weight of the deck and all as it had too much weight on the front tires. But it is ZT and a different critter. So in this case, yes the ZT did have significant weight over the rears also. Do I need it? Don't know and right now I don't care as what I have works and that's what matters.
Edit: Locknuts pictures just popped up and obviously he has a solution too. Looks real nice. His tread pattern is maybe better than mine. Has more angles and all. Like I learned, you need the individual points of contact to get the traction.
Oh and on your question about roll over, the aspect ratio on my DR is wide and not very tall. If I rolled, it wouldn't be to the side as the rears are 53" across, it would have to be going over backwards. The weight I added out beyond the rear is not only a counter weight but can act as a backwards rollover stop also. On the original conversion, I just sit on the side of the seat and with this mower I go sideways, not up and down like I do with the DR. Not the least bit worried.
HTH,
Mark
