Using winterforce car tires for turf tires on front of jd4300

kthompson · Jun 8, 2016

"I haven't had mine long enough to wear anything yet, but from what I've read they are known for wearing out front tires, I think it is due to the ackerman angle of the early 4300's front axles. My fronts are beyond bald and the rears look brand new."

Help me, your first sentence here confuses me. You say you have worn nothing out but the tires are beyond "bald". Is that not worn out?

To me the first thing you need to do is fix the issue with them wearing out, going bald so quick, first. I have seen tractors not used on paved roads front tires last till replaced due to dry rot. I mean 15 plus years. Matter of fact I have a 17 year old M Kubota that still have front tires on it and the tread is great. Still have rear tires but they show wear due to being roaded, still good tread but front tires if treat right normally last a good while. Now if four wheel drive and it is used a lot they wear much faster, if they cut sharply on hard surface they also wear fast. Or if they are out of aligned or overloaded.

Realize the tractor is new to you, it is possible nothing is wrong with your tractor but the previous owner swapped worn out tires to it and put its good tires on tractor he is keeping. Looking at your post on this have known others use truck tires on tractors as you are wanting too with good results. Think if you will have any issue it will be with the sidewall on the tires is not stiff enough to handle the side load of the tractors when making sharp turns. A tire shop that sells both tractor tires and auto tires probably could answer this point. kt

buickanddeere · Jun 8, 2016

Flat smooth highway tires won't turn like a three rib tractor tire.

larboc · Jun 8, 2016

kthompson said:
"I haven't had mine long enough to wear anything yet, but from what I've read they are known for wearing out front tires, I think it is due to the ackerman angle of the early 4300's front axles. My fronts are beyond bald and the rears look brand new."

Help me, your first sentence here confuses me. You say you have worn nothing out but the tires are beyond "bald". Is that not worn out?

To me the first thing you need to do is fix the issue with them wearing out, going bald so quick, first. I have seen tractors not used on paved roads front tires last till replaced due to dry rot. I mean 15 plus years. Matter of fact I have a 17 year old M Kubota that still have front tires on it and the tread is great. Still have rear tires but they show wear due to being roaded, still good tread but front tires if treat right normally last a good while. Now if four wheel drive and it is used a lot they wear much faster, if they cut sharply on hard surface they also wear fast. Or if they are out of aligned or overloaded.

Realize the tractor is new to you, it is possible nothing is wrong with your tractor but the previous owner swapped worn out tires to it and put its good tires on tractor he is keeping. Looking at your post on this have known others use truck tires on tractors as you are wanting too with good results. Think if you will have any issue it will be with the sidewall on the tires is not stiff enough to handle the side load of the tractors when making sharp turns. A tire shop that sells both tractor tires and auto tires probably could answer this point. kt

Not sure what's confusing you, I bought a used tractor with worn front tires a few months ago? I didn't wear them out, the PO did. If you searching on the subject you will several reports of early 4300's which wear front tires out quickly even in 2wd when used on pavement and that they also tear up grass if turned hard because the ackerman angle isn't right. From what I've read that's why JD changed the front axle later on to a slightly weaker axle that had better steering geometry. This tractor can also turn really sharply if needed.

Every shop I talked to just says "might work, dunno".

larboc · Jun 8, 2016

buickanddeere said:
Flat smooth highway tires won't turn like a three rib tractor tire.

How effective do you think a three rib tractor tire would be in 4wd? I'm guessing worse than what I have now. I've never had an issue with turning this, just traction.

I agree with you if you're talking about a 2wd farm tractor used in dirt, but this is a 4300-it's a yard toy.