Tires started slipping this year

[ctwith3]

I have a 10 -12 year old L118 riding mower and a yard with hills. This year the tires started slipping on the hills while trying to mow up the incline, whereas in the previous years it wasn't an issue.
I have treads, but maybe the pliability is gone. Replace them with new tires? Suggestions?

 

[Ed of all trades]

I would first check the air pressure and if that is good I guess new tires. Ed

 

[kthompson]

Possible the front edge of the cleats are rounded to pull it forward and rotating the rear wheels so the now rear of the cleats is the front edge.

 

[ctwith3]

I always check the pressure on all my "vehicles."
I noticed that the tires have gotten harder- to be expected after all these years in a shed in the northeast.

 

[CADplans]

I JUST changed my tires, at a cost of $1400,,, I now have WAY more traction!! :thumbsup:

Maybe your L118 needs a set of these tires,,,

They even molded the tire size into the top of the tread bar,,,

Does that give me more traction??

:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

I would put in some sipes in the tires. I have one of the tools. I think you would have little to lose by trying it an perhaps might solve your problem. Look up the thread grooving cutting siping r4 tires to learn more. On your turf tires I think I would use the siping portion of the tool.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Could always try tire chains. I see alot of mowers in the hills of pa with wheel weights and chains mowing their yards.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you buy new tires, get some with bar lugs, not quite the height of tractor tires, but V lugs and they will give you much better hill climbing ability. Also don't try to climb hills with dew on the grass, hardly any tire will climb wet grass. Lots of industrial mowers have the V lug tires on them.

 

[kthompson]

I JUST changed my tires, at a cost of $1400,,, I now have WAY more traction!! :thumbsup:


They even molded the tire size into the top of the tread bar,,,

Does that give me more traction??

:laughing:

Seriously is it not there so a shop can tell the size when there is a stack of tires on their side? Just what I have always assumed...yes I know what that means is why I am asking.

 

[CADplans]

Seriously is it not there so a shop can tell the size when there is a stack of tires on their side? Just what I have always assumed...yes I know what that means is why I am asking.

That was meant as an LOL moment,,, heck, one of the bars even has the bar code on top of the tread,,,

They put the flag on the sidewall,,