Cathie 1 #1 Posted January 20 Newbie question- I have a 312-A purchased in 2023. I replaced the front tires last year and now I want to replace the back tires. Manual calls for 22 x 9.00-12, and those can't be found. What size should I replace it with? The tire place I took them to said they could do a 23" but I'm worried that the extra height would make it a real pain in the butt to put on my tire chains. I use the tractor for snowblowing, and already consider it a bit of a pain to put the chains on. The tires I have are turf, but I'd like to get ag lugs for the new ones. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 9,381 #2 Posted January 20 23x8.50 will work just fine. Chains and turfs are a better combo than chains and ags, or just plain ags for snow and ice. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,404 #3 Posted January 20 15 minutes ago, c-series don said: 23x8.50 will work just fine. Chains and turfs are a better combo than chains and ags, or just plain ags for snow and ice. Seconded. Here in Maine we have tried every combination of Tire with and without chain and with and without fluid that you could imagine. Best case scenario is a Turf Tire with a good chain. If you have asphalt or concrete that you don't want to scratch, use rubber cross section chains. 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,316 #4 Posted January 20 Turfs and two link chains for snow and ice. Ags for dirt and mud plowing. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,926 #5 Posted January 20 The radius of the 23" nominal size tire is only 1/2" taller than the 22". If you have more than 1-1/4" clearance, you should be fine. Not all tires are true to the size on the sidewall - Deestones run much smaller.... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,404 #6 Posted January 20 41 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Not all tires are true to the size on the sidewall I've measured several brands here fairly recently. ALL of them measured small. Older USA made Carlisle included. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,105 #7 Posted January 21 Your 312-A has the same frame and sheet metal as the 416-8 of the same year, which came with 23x9.50x12 tires. The 23s will fit just fine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,595 #8 Posted January 21 I run 23-10.50 X 12 turf tires with chains, weights and liquid filled on my 418 which is the same frame and fender pan as a 312, no clearance problem at all. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,559 #9 Posted January 21 Chains are far easier to install if you deflate the tire a wee bit !!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,926 #10 Posted January 21 (edited) What I run in the winter... I had some "extra" cross link parts kicking around........ Edited January 22 by ri702bill 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,091 #11 Posted January 23 I'll add my I have a 1987 312-A and currently have 23x10.50x12 turfs on it. I haven't tried putting chains on those but I think they would fit, just watch out for clearance from the hydro fan. I do think I've already destroyed one of those with a poorly mounted chain. I've been plowing with my GT-1848, with 23x10.50x12 Ags + Chains + Weights. I tried without the chains and the Ags couldn't get enough traction - they're great in the mud but not snow/ice. Again here, I'm watchng the clearance from the hydro fan closely. I did have a passing thought of taking that fan off for the winter.... not worried about cooling the hydro that much in single-digit temps. And it would probably warm up faster. Like others have said here, you're probably best off with turfs + chains, and if you don't have rear wheel weights, I'd pick up some of those also. Then again, pushing a blower probably doesn't require quite as much traction as plowing snow a foot deep. On 1/20/2025 at 3:35 PM, ebinmaine said: .... If you have asphalt or concrete that you don't want to scratch, use rubber cross section chains. These look interesting, when I've seen pictures of them. Do they work as well as chains? I'm guessing they're easier to get on/off. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,404 #12 Posted January 23 5 minutes ago, davem1111 said: These look interesting, when I've seen pictures of them. Do they work as well as chains? I'm guessing they're easier to get on/off. I've seen them but not tried them. We have no need. No asphalt. No concrete. Those above would be able to comment better than me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,316 #13 Posted January 23 14 minutes ago, davem1111 said: I do think I've already destroyed one of those with a poorly mounted chain. I cut the inside side chain to the correct length and connect it with one of these chain connectors. There is no loose links or protrusion to hit the fan. Then use the tightener to secure the outside side chain. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,316 #14 Posted January 23 18 minutes ago, davem1111 said: These look interesting, when I've seen pictures of them. Do they work as well as chains? I'm guessing they're easier to get on/off. My rubber chains work better on paved surfaces. My steel chains work better on gravel and grass. Installation time is the same 10 minute job. Pick up the chain at the center of the inside side chain. Slide it on the top of the tire and tuck the front links against the front of the tire. Do this on both sides. Pull the tractor forward 10 inches. Connect the inside side chain. Connect the outside chain. Ten minutes and done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,891 #15 Posted January 23 I have a 416-H. It runs 23-9.50 x 12 Turfs. No chains. But I do have 50 pounds of weight on each rear wheel. My driveway is mostly flat, and is asphalt. I have no traction problems. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
