Tires Running tractor tires on a zero turn

[mikester]

The bar tires look good but I'm thinking they will tear out the grass in turns more than the R4 because of the sharp corners on the side of the treads. On wet grass or slightly muddy areas the turf tires are just slicks and provide zero traction in my experience. I think the turf tires tear up the grass more because they have less traction and more slip.

 

[ray66v]

My neighbor has a grasshopper. It gets good traction. But, it's hard on the lawn.

You don't see those tires on golf course mowers for a reason.

 

[ProjectKing]

My neighbor has a grasshopper. It gets good traction. But, it's hard on the lawn.

You don't see those tires on golf course mowers for a reason.

Can't argue with that! Great point!

 

[mikester]

The bar tires look good but I'm thinking they will tear out the grass in turns more than the R4 because of the sharp corners on the side of the treads. On wet grass or slightly muddy areas the turf tires are just slicks and provide zero traction in my experience. I think the turf tires tear up the grass more because they have less traction and more slip.

Here's an update for an older thread.

I just put on a set of WT300 turf bar tires and the difference in control is day and night. I'm a convert!

Here's a link to my blog post about them with photos.

Quest for a better Zero Turn Kubota ZD326-6P Modifications Divergent Stuff

 

[SDT]

The bar tires look good but I'm thinking they will tear out the grass in turns more than the R4 because of the sharp corners on the side of the treads. On wet grass or slightly muddy areas the turf tires are just slicks and provide zero traction in my experience. I think the turf tires tear up the grass more because they have less traction and more slip.

Probably the best solution to your dilemma is a tire design that appears to be no longer available.

When I bought my B1750HST, in 1993, the rear tire options were turf, AG, industrial (R4), and "bar" (not AG). I choose the "bar" rear tires, which gear correctly with turf tires on the front. These tires have a zig zag bar pattern in the center of the tire with bars on either side. The tread is less aggressive that AG tires but more aggressive than turf tires. They are wider than AG or R-4 tires and even wider than turf tires. Tires with similar tread pattern were once common on off road only Jeep and other FWD vehicles. Sorry, no photos.

I have not seen this design offered on new CUTS/SCUTS for 15+ years, and no longer see them on off road Jeep type vehicles. They are not hard on the turf (not as forgiving as turfs but much better than R1s or even R4s), provide good side hill traction and are much better than either R1 or R4 tires in snow, indeed, even better than turfs. They also ride at least as well as turfs.

I would have specified these tires on my new B3350, delivered about 2 weeks ago, if they had been available but they were not. Rather, I was torn between turfs and R-4s, finally deciding on R-4s.

I will post an image of these tires if I can find one online.

SDT

 

[SDT]

Probably the best solution to your dilemma is a tire design that appears to be no longer available.

When I bought my B1750HST, in 1993, the rear tire options were turf, AG, industrial (R4), and "bar" (not AG). I choose the "bar" rear tires, which gear correctly with turf tires on the front. These tires have a zig zag bar pattern in the center of the tire with bars on either side. The tread is less aggressive that AG tires but more aggressive than turf tires. They are wider than AG or R-4 tires and even wider than turf tires. Tires with similar tread pattern were once common on off road only Jeep and other FWD vehicles. Sorry, no photos.

I have not seen this design offered on new CUTS/SCUTS for 15+ years, and no longer see them on off road Jeep type vehicles. They are not hard on the turf (not as forgiving as turfs but much better than R1s or even R4s), provide good side hill traction and are much better than either R1 or R4 tires in snow, indeed, even better than turfs. They also ride at least as well as turfs.

I would have specified these tires on my new B3350, delivered about 2 weeks ago, if they had been available but they were not. Rather, I was torn between turfs and R-4s, finally deciding on R-4s.

I will post an image of these tires if I can find one online.

SDT

Here's a representative photo.

KUBOTA B175HSD For Sale In Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania | TractorHouse.com

SDT

 

[aczlan]

Probably the best solution to your dilemma is a tire design that appears to be no longer available.

When I bought my B1750HST, in 1993, the rear tire options were turf, AG, industrial (R4), and "bar" (not AG). I choose the "bar" rear tires, which gear correctly with turf tires on the front. These tires have a zig zag bar pattern in the center of the tire with bars on either side. The tread is less aggressive that AG tires but more aggressive than turf tires. They are wider than AG or R-4 tires and even wider than turf tires. Tires with similar tread pattern were once common on off road only Jeep and other FWD vehicles. Sorry, no photos.

I have not seen this design offered on new CUTS/SCUTS for 15+ years, and no longer see them on off road Jeep type vehicles. They are not hard on the turf (not as forgiving as turfs but much better than R1s or even R4s), provide good side hill traction and are much better than either R1 or R4 tires in snow, indeed, even better than turfs. They also ride at least as well as turfs.

I would have specified these tires on my new B3350, delivered about 2 weeks ago, if they had been available but they were not. Rather, I was torn between turfs and R-4s, finally deciding on R-4s.

I will post an image of these tires if I can find one online.

SDT

Probably the closest tire that is currently available (in terms of traction) would be the Carlsile All Trail or All Trail II. I have seen those on a few B series tractors and they (or something very similar) come on the Deere X series tractors: All Trail - All Trail II Tire


They also make a HD Field Trax that is similar: HD Field Trax Tire



Aaron Z

 

[mikester]

Here's the Carlisle WT300 profile from their website. Rounded corners make it a little less aggressive on the turns.

 

[stevewarner1957]

Here's the Carlisle WT300 profile from their website. Rounded corners make it a little less aggressive on the turns.

I just put WT300 tires on my ZD326P this spring and really like them so far. Much better traction and they don’t seem to scuff the turf as bad as the original tires that came on it. If been running ZD machines since 2002 so perhaps I operate the machine better now than when I got my first one. I’m glad I upgraded

 

[ProjectKing]

I just put WT300 tires on my ZD326P this spring and really like them so far. Much better traction and they don’t seem to scuff the turf as bad as the original tires that came on it. If been running ZD machines since 2002 so perhaps I operate the machine better now than when I got my first one. I’m glad I upgraded
View attachment 556621

Looks great!! I may need to get a set! Were they hard to mount like mentioned in blog post above?

 

[mikester]

I just put WT300 tires on my ZD326P this spring and really like them so far. Much better traction and they don’t seem to scuff the turf as bad as the original tires that came on it. If been running ZD machines since 2002 so perhaps I operate the machine better now than when I got my first one. I’m glad I upgraded
View attachment 556621

Too bad my machine doesn't look as clean as yours! Way too dusty here...

 

[stevewarner1957]

As far as mounting they weren’t that bad but we couldn’t get them to air up. Had to go to a tire shop so they used those big volume tanks to seat the bead. My advice is take them to a tire shop

Yours can be clean too, soap and water is all it takes. Lol

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Put a ratchet tie down around the circumference of the tire, tighten it a little, then seat the bead with air. Take the tie down off before fully inflating.

 

[stevewarner1957]

Tried that John, didn't work for me.

 

[ProjectKing]

As far as mounting they weren’t that bad but we couldn’t get them to air up. Had to go to a tire shop so they used those big volume tanks to seat the bead. My advice is take them to a tire shop

Yours can be clean too, soap and water is all it takes. Lol

Do you have a side view of mower with new tires?

 

[4570Man]

How do the tractor tires work for you? I’m considering putting some on my grasshopper for $120 each. The other option is chevron tires like my Dixie chopper.

 

[mikester]

How do the tractor tires work for you? I’m considering putting some on my grasshopper for $120 each. The other option is chevron tires like my Dixie chopper.

The WT300 tires are 10/10 for me. I wish I put them on years ago. R3 turf tires are useless to me.

 

[mikester]

Tried that John, didn't work for me.

I used a liberal amount of dish soap on both the tire and rim. I also kept the tire vertical to catch the rim easier. Sometimes you just need 3 hands. The first tire caught perfectly on the first try. Second one I had to get a helper as I don’t have self locking inflator.

 

[4570Man]

The WT300 tires are 10/10 for me. I wish I put them on years ago. R3 turf tires are useless to me.

Do the sharp edges of the tractor tires cause any turf damage?

 

[mikester]

Do the sharp edges of the tractor tires cause any turf damage?

It's all in the operators hands.

I tear up grass less with the WT300's because they don't slide. On slopes the R3 Turfs slide no matter what because they have no traction. I have no tear up on slopes with the WT300's because I can now control it. If you control it like toggle switches (i.e. full forward to full reverse) you can tear it up good.