Turf tires on front with ag rears?

[jgarfield]

I have a Bx23 w/ ag/bar tires and a 55" mmm. Even with the fel and bh removed it's tearing up the lawn when making tight turns. It seems like it is the front tires that are doing the damage and I'm thinking of putting turf tires on the front only. Has anyone done this, and other than reduced front traction is there any reason not to?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[jgarfield]

I have a Bx23 w/ ag/bar tires and a 55" mmm. Even with the fel and bh removed it's tearing up the lawn when making tight turns. It seems like it is the front tires that are doing the damage and I'm thinking of putting turf tires on the front only. Has anyone done this, and other than reduced front traction is there any reason not to?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[teachdocs]

I have a BX23 and both sets of tires.
Cannot tell the difference on turf between the tires.
Now, I leave the Ags on all the time.
Neither tire set causes turf damage.
If your turf is strong, it can withstand a lot. That is the key.


Tips I have found useful:

Try not to mow when soil is wet.
Go slow and easy in shaded areas and around trees. The sod root structure is not as well developed.
Don't mow the grass too short. At least 3 inches, better yet 3 1/2 inches.
Use AWD only on big slopes when mowing.
Turn the steering wheel only when you are moving. Turning the wheel while sitting still will twist the turf.
Change your pattern of mowing. Alternate direction and pattern each time you mow. It looks nice and gives a better stand of turf.
Keep your blades sharp and deck clean.
Certain types of grass are more "durable" than others.
Twice a year core aeration reduces compaction and produces thicker turf that is more resistant to traffic.
Late fall or early winter fertilizer is the most important. If you only fertilize once a year, this is the time to do it. It helps develop strong roots without excessive top growth.

Hope this helps.
Happy mowing! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[teachdocs]

I have a BX23 and both sets of tires.
Cannot tell the difference on turf between the tires.
Now, I leave the Ags on all the time.
Neither tire set causes turf damage.
If your turf is strong, it can withstand a lot. That is the key.


Tips I have found useful:

Try not to mow when soil is wet.
Go slow and easy in shaded areas and around trees. The sod root structure is not as well developed.
Don't mow the grass too short. At least 3 inches, better yet 3 1/2 inches.
Use AWD only on big slopes when mowing.
Turn the steering wheel only when you are moving. Turning the wheel while sitting still will twist the turf.
Change your pattern of mowing. Alternate direction and pattern each time you mow. It looks nice and gives a better stand of turf.
Keep your blades sharp and deck clean.
Certain types of grass are more "durable" than others.
Twice a year core aeration reduces compaction and produces thicker turf that is more resistant to traffic.
Late fall or early winter fertilizer is the most important. If you only fertilize once a year, this is the time to do it. It helps develop strong roots without excessive top growth.

Hope this helps.
Happy mowing! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rbargeron]

You probably already know this but tire diameter is pretty important (assuming your tractor is 4wd) - get tires close to same diameter as the tires you are replacing or it will tear things up even more in 4wd - too big they'll pull, too small they'll push. Do you mow in 4wd? would 2wd work ok instead?

 

[rbargeron]

You probably already know this but tire diameter is pretty important (assuming your tractor is 4wd) - get tires close to same diameter as the tires you are replacing or it will tear things up even more in 4wd - too big they'll pull, too small they'll push. Do you mow in 4wd? would 2wd work ok instead?

 

[KeithInSpace]

I run turf and am glad to hear that bar tires don't tear things up. I need them quite often when loading but hate the idea of swapping wheels all the time.

I have found that mowing in 4WD is AWFUL on the turf. Even with turf tires, the inside front wheel will rip the grass out at the roots. I can't imagine what bar tires would do.

In 2WD, you have to be more careful with the hydro tranny lest you skid/slide/spin the back wheels when changing direction. You get used to it and then don't think about it. I have learned to mow in 2WD even on steep side slopes by changing my pattern a bit and push mowing strategic areas. I don't have the pleasure of "changing direction" each time I mow. Oh well.

I'd be concerned about having "unmatched" tires on the front and back then running through hard stuff and maybe tearing up something in the transmission.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I run turf and am glad to hear that bar tires don't tear things up. I need them quite often when loading but hate the idea of swapping wheels all the time.

I have found that mowing in 4WD is AWFUL on the turf. Even with turf tires, the inside front wheel will rip the grass out at the roots. I can't imagine what bar tires would do.

In 2WD, you have to be more careful with the hydro tranny lest you skid/slide/spin the back wheels when changing direction. You get used to it and then don't think about it. I have learned to mow in 2WD even on steep side slopes by changing my pattern a bit and push mowing strategic areas. I don't have the pleasure of "changing direction" each time I mow. Oh well.

I'd be concerned about having "unmatched" tires on the front and back then running through hard stuff and maybe tearing up something in the transmission.

 

[SeymourBota]

I run exactly the opposite of what you are proposing- 4 turfs in the summer and in the winter, turfs (w/ chains) on the rear and bars on the front. The circumference of both turfs and bars in stock size is the same, so they are interchangeable.
In the Spring, when I mowed first and still had the bars on the front, they did tear up the lawn more, as you described. The turfs are better but will still do damage if the ground is soft/wet.

 

[SeymourBota]

I run exactly the opposite of what you are proposing- 4 turfs in the summer and in the winter, turfs (w/ chains) on the rear and bars on the front. The circumference of both turfs and bars in stock size is the same, so they are interchangeable.
In the Spring, when I mowed first and still had the bars on the front, they did tear up the lawn more, as you described. The turfs are better but will still do damage if the ground is soft/wet.