filled tires

[cod 120]

Looks like I'll have to replace the rear tires on my 418-A and I was wondering if there's any advantage to buying a 4 ply tire instead of the standard 2 ply.  Both of mine are 23x9.5-12 tires by Carlisle and I punched a hole through one last night and today when I took it off the rim to see if I could fix it with an inner tube, it seemed thin so I expect I'll have to spring for new treads at some point.  Any good online recommendations for tires?

 

I'm also curious to know if any of you are using liquid filled rear tires as that might be a good way to add some weight to the rear end.  When I bought the beast it came with a set of 75 pound weights and a snowblower but I'm wondering if perhaps the filled tires and chains would do the trick.

 

Thanks - Cod

[squonk 41,017]

I have filled Ag's on my C-160. You won't believe the difference.

[papaglide 542]

I had filled ags on my 417 and it road so hard that I put the air filled turfs back on it. It rides so much smoother now. Now what do I with 10 gallons of anti freeze?

[leeave96 487]

I've had fluid filled tires and don't care for them.  Not that they don't get the job done - they do, but...

 

Sooner or later, you are going to have a flat tire.  I found with the fluid filled tires, repairing a flat was a pain.  Also, with my aging/older back, I find the need to divide heavy loads in smaller chunks.  It's easier for me to handle an un-weighted tire and then add the weights.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Good luck,

Bill

[daveoman1966 3,745]

My C-160 Auto has 23x10.5x12 turfs with 75lb weight each side, Anti-freeze filled, & 2-link chains.  I swapped over a 10-pinion LSD and it is a real snow dawg.     

[cod 120]

Thanks for the advice guys as I never considered that filled tires could affect the ride so I'll give that some thought.  Years ago I had a Bolen Huski walk behind tactor from the late 40's or early 50's that had filled tires with chains and when you flipped up the clutch levers you better hold on.  Great traction for plowing snow or turning over the garden.  My only gripe was that the cups that ran the drive chains had a habit of sticking so that you had to whack them with an old baseball bat to stop it sometimes so I never aimed it at anything valuable.

[swarfeater 49]

More than worth it, but a little trick that a lot of folks dont do is to put in an extra air fitting opposite and as low as you can get it on the rim. makes filling and draining much easier.

[squonk 41,017]

I only use my filled tires for snow removal. Plus I have the 50 lb.  weights on with chains. The fluid in the tires give the tractor more momentum they help push the tractor making it push really well. I put the regular turfs on for mowing. We're talking little LGT tires here. There heavy but not that heavy. Replace the lug bolts with 7/16" bolts and use lugnuts from a older Chevy. Make swapping wheels way easier. Here's a post I did about filling tires.

 

Edited September 15, 2013 by squonk

[AMC RULES 37,127]

                

[GlenPettit 1,716]

••  The recommendations for fluid-filled tires is a maximum of 80% liquid with 20% air;  8–10# of air would give a softer ride than 20#, and a100% liquid fill would give a very hard-rough ride (re: RimGuard).

••  "Weight" is everything; giving you traction and control, (notice how the big highway plows always have a full load of salt on when they plow deep snow). All that weight gives you control, most the weight on the back & low, and need some weight on the front tires when plowing for steering, (but nothing behind the rear axle).

••  Four-ply is stronger than 2-ply tires, especially on the side walls for strength, abuse and weight, well worth the small extra cost for our tractors.

••  Where to get tires; consider your local tire dealers (like: Discount Tire) have a 1/2" thick 'Tire Product catalog', with at least 8 pages of "Lawn & Garden tires", basically every style that they can order for you, I have found that the prices are often less than the net (even considering local tax vs shipping). Don't have them special shipped, but have them come in on the dealers regular weekly delivery, to save FedEx costs, and if you pre-pay, you should get another discount.  The price they charge for installation and for new tubes is very low also.

Good Luck

[cod 120]

Picked up a set of Carlisle 24x9.5-12 4 plys, popped the old treads off, cleaned and painted the rims and then mounted the new ones.  I decided to partially fill them so I put 2 gallons of 50/50 in each and then 20lbs of air.  They look great and so far nothing leaks so I'll keep my fingers crossed to see what happens.

 

Thanks again for all the responses. - Cod