bigben 0 #1 Posted June 11, 2008 I have a stock 418-8 and have a very hilly back yard. Sometimes when I'm cutting the grass the tires slip coming up the hill, especially when I hit pine needles or if there is dew. Can I just swap my rear tires for more aggressive tires? If there a down side. I assume that because my tractor doesn't have a posi rear it won't tear the place up. Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustbucket 4 #2 Posted June 11, 2008 you might want to try wheel weights first then go to a more agressive ag type tred. Carlise makes a decent ag tire and i have dualies with their ag's wrapped around them but not on a horse of course. oter thing to look at is if you like turf tires and the look then try finding a style where the tread is a hair more agressive but still turff tred. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,147 #3 Posted June 11, 2008 Make sure you're only running 8 to 10 psi in the rear tires too. If you have the tires pumped up too solid, they can't flex and conform to the contours of the ground, which also results in less traction. As previously mentioned, any kind of ballast weight on the rear of the tractor will help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustyoldjunk 127 #4 Posted June 11, 2008 but if you want the ag tires (like me,i want ags on everything,whether i need em or not.i like the looks) i believe 23 8.50 12's will work just fine on your tractor.jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teddy da Bear 11 #5 Posted June 11, 2008 I run ag tires on my IH lo boy. And it likely weighs 3 times what a wheel horse does. It does not normally leave any marks in the soil when mowing. It will leave tread marks in the spring when the ground is soft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 13,719 #6 Posted June 11, 2008 Ben, Ag tires are great, and no, under normal use they will not tear up the ground. Your 418 has a good differential in it. That said, if you do slip a bit, those ags will dig a hole faster than you can get your foot on the clutch. You'll have to be careful.... Just my $.02. Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,562 #7 Posted June 11, 2008 Ben, Ag tires do work great for those areas where you need more traction. Some people shy away from them thinking they will damage your yard, but I find that spinning the turfs do more damage than a gripping ag tire. :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_M 179 #8 Posted June 11, 2008 Ben, Ag tires do work great for those areas where you need more traction. Some people shy away from them thinking they will damage your yard, but I find that spinning the turfs do more damage than a gripping ag tire. My sentiments exactly. I have a fairly hilly yard and was constantly spinning my turf tires and ripping up grass, since going to ag tires I have no problem at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #9 Posted June 11, 2008 I have Ag tires on mine and the lawn is fine. I actually like the fact that the Ag tires don't collect grass clipping and carry them into the garage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #10 Posted June 12, 2008 What everyone already said! LOL Air pressure, wheel weights, and ag tires in that order. Why that order? Cheapest to most expensive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigben 0 #11 Posted June 12, 2008 O.K...I'm sold! Not only will ag tires do a beter job...they look real cool also. Next question, should I visit my local dealer or is there a place I can order online? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #12 Posted June 12, 2008 I have Ag tires on mine and the lawn is fine. I actually like the fact that the Ag tires don't collect grass clipping and carry them into the garage Besides that they look cool and make yer tractor look meaner than a junk yard dog! Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #13 Posted June 12, 2008 O.K...I'm sold! Not only will ag tires do a beter job...they look real cool also. Next question, should I visit my local dealer or is there a place I can order online? There are several places online. I use http://shop.cedarrapidstire.com Check them out, then head to your tire dealer. Quite often your local tire shop will have, or can get, garden tractor tires. I've often found them to be cheaper as well as keeping the money in the local economy. I don't do large chains though, I prefer the local guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,562 #14 Posted June 12, 2008 Ben, You can get them online, ebay, or a tire dealer. Wherever you can find the best deal. I know a few here used ebay as their source. The Cedar Rapid tire link Dale provided is a good source. So is Miller Tire and a few others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustbucket 4 #15 Posted June 12, 2008 someone say meaner lookin?? Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodge 6 #16 Posted June 12, 2008 I just put a pair of 23x12.5x12's on my 520, and I already had a pair on the 1600. I have banks to mow, and they are fantastic. I don't use weights. I paid $144 for the tires and mounting, at a local shop. That was less than I could find online, or at Tractor Supply, just for the tires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustbucket 4 #17 Posted June 12, 2008 anuther more horrid pic. the wheel horse you see in the back ground left is the parts tractor for the GT-14 that now lives in the garage between a dead cherokee jeep and a 76 datsun pickup. Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curmudgeon 28 #18 Posted June 12, 2008 As long as you don't need to fit chains on there, a set of 24x12x12's look pretty cool too!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #19 Posted June 12, 2008 If you anticipate also plowing any snow you may consider trying chains. That's after low air pressure and weights, even loading your back tires with fluid, but before paying for a set of good ag lugs. That gives you some chains for ice. I, on the other hand have dual ag lugs with chains on the inner set of ag lugs on my 702. It will push a foot and a half pile of dirt or snow all day. It will slip now and then under heavy load, but the duals don't dig holes as fast as singles. I would like to add a set of original weights, just haven't really looked for any. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robbie C. 1 #20 Posted June 12, 2008 you may want to take a look at western auto if you have one close Ben i bought mine(2) for 105.50 mounted carlisle 23x8.50-12. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #21 Posted June 12, 2008 I have Ag tires on mine and the lawn is fine. I actually like the fact that the Ag tires don't collect grass clipping and carry them into the garage Micah, Could you please give me the specs. for the make, model and size of your Ag's as pictured? I think they'd go well on my '89 312-8! Thanks! [your neighbor] Deereman :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #22 Posted June 12, 2008 Will send info tonight from home... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,562 #23 Posted June 12, 2008 Micah, I will say that you have one mean looking tractor there. Nice. :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaineDad 85 #24 Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks! Here she is all dirty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,717 #25 Posted June 12, 2008 We have a DISOUNT Auto Tire store, there they can order garden tractor tires and install them the next day or two, prices were the lowest I could find plus no shipping charges. They have a special catalog you can sit and look at with dozens of tire treads to fit your Wheel Horse, had five different 23:12" bar-lugs treads, all with free installation. Glen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites