skid steer - need more traction

joeu235 · Jul 15, 2014

I need more traction for my JD 317. Will replacing the tires with new ones give me a lot more or just a little based on y'alls experience. I need solid tires because its mainly used for clearing mesquite trees.

paulharvey · Jul 15, 2014

If you really need the traction, I would look at track overs.

boggen · Jul 15, 2014

the experience i have had, with old tires, vs new tires, is for R1 agritculture tires. and R4 industrial tires. 50% tread on old vs full 100% tread on new tires. it was a night and day difference.

the deeper lugs on the new tires, sunk in that much further and gave a bigger / deeper bite into the ground, that kept me moving. vs spinning the tires.

but that is for tractors...
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skid steers are completely different monsters.

and end up seeing more folks recommending tracks that fit over the skid steer tires. for more traction here on TBN.

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you might try "tire chains" for some extra traction in mud / snow. the chains help keep mud/snow from packing up against the tires and turning them into inner tubes. vs tires that have a tread lug pattern to them.

RickB · Jul 15, 2014

That style of tire won't pull worth a hoot when brand new. Look at the middle 1/3 of the contact patch has no tread whatsoever and holds the remaining treaded part out of the ground. I get that you need solid tires, but look for some with an actual tread pattern. Do not put over-wheel tracks on solid wheels.

Bob Rooks · Jul 15, 2014

OTT's are what you need. The ones that are easiest on the axles and axle bearings are the steel linked open-shod ones. They don't fill up with dirt and rocks as much. Consult a dealer about running on solid tires but I think it's ok.

truckdiagnostics · Jul 15, 2014

Recently went through similar situation. Ended up with new rims with a turf tire and over tire tracks. The tracks are wonderful, they are not cheap, but I don't think you want to run them all the time. They wear out rather fast. Take them on and off, mostly when it gets muddy, turf tires clog up in the mud, work great in the gravel and snow.

Ken45101 · Jul 16, 2014

truckdiagnostics said:
Recently went through similar situation. Ended up with new rims with a turf tire and over tire tracks. The tracks are wonderful, they are not cheap, but I don't think you want to run them all the time.

I have standard tires and OTT tracks. I've only had the tracks off for a few hours over the years. They stay on 99% of the time. I think most people with OTT tracks are like that.

As for wear, I have 280 hours on the unit and have not yet adjusted the take up for wear.