tire style questions

[Joefrommi65 18]

Hi all, I have a question on the different style tires I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages of ag-lug style verses tri rib for the front verses a turf tife. I have a 416-8 and have also been reading that if I change the front tires from 15x6-8 to the bigger 16x6.5-6 it would steer better ( the 15x6-8 look too small) if this is true do I need to replace the spindles and what different tractors use the same spindles that I may need for my 416-8 ? I plan on running ag/lug style on the rear, How do these handle with chains in the snow and wet ground as we have a high water table here where I live and I have found that turf tires sometimes can be a challenge in the spring.

Thanks Joe

p.s I am running a 48" mower deck are bigger tires going to fit ?

[GlenPettit 1,717]

Use different tires for Winter and for Summer work:

•  It's smart to have two complete sets of metal wheels & rubber tires if the same tractor works in both seasons.

•  Winter:  IMO, Ag tires with a lot of weight do an excellent job, and with weighted tri-ribs on the front you will have the best for steering & control.   With Ags, chains are not really needed, but the extra weight on both the front and rear are essential.  

•  I think the tri-rib rubber would wear a little faster than turf tire, but then you're not using the tri-ribs nearly as much as you would turf tires (less rubber in contact with the ground on tri-ribs equals more wear).  

•  I also agree that 16" would give just a little better control, and your spindles should be OK, but the HD (heavy duty) spindles are much stronger and better, but can cost a lot as you'll need mew metal wheels also.  Turf tires work best if they have Chains, 2-link, in the Winter, and in moist turf, - - but avoid soggy mud with any tire, is bad on grass  (looks like you have a gravel drive, better for  chains).  Weight greatly improves traction with any tire style.

•  Both Ag and Turf would be the same 23"OD original size for the rear, but going to 16" on the front adds 1/2" radius and may be a minor factor on tight turns when mowing.  

•  Smart to up your PSI on all for tires; for Winter 20PSI and Summer 10PSI, (as the cold weather decreases the actual PSI by 2-4#).

Lots of older posts and opinions on this subject . . . about 50% pro Ag, and 50% pro-Turf/Chains.

Edited March 27, 2014 by GlenPettit

[bmsgaffer 2,046]

To compliment what Glen said:

 

Depends on what kind of winter weather you deal with: If you get really slippery slush and ice, you need the metal and low contact patch on the chain to bite through to hard surface. If its mostly powdery then ags work great, you just might need to use a little wheel spin and momentum when things get slick. Chains you use low speed because you have high traction (and it DOES scratch up whatever surface you drive on, and will tear up the grass if you spin even a little)

 

In the spring/summer on the grass Ag's in the rear will do well on all but the most mushy of surfaces where the chains can act a little like paddles adding to the ags to help get you through.

 

I vote tri ribs (or 5 rib, like I like, search "V61") in the front. Ags were designed to help pull (4wd) therefore you dont get as great of turning traction because of the angle of the lugs. Think of the tri-ribs  as rudders. They will dig in and turn you any way you want to go.

 

Thats not to say the ags dont work, some guys on here run them and love them, but since its a 2WD tractor, I would vote for the tall ribs.

[Joefrommi65 18]

Thanks Gentleman, I am thinking I will go with the ag's on the back and the ribbed on the front, I am waiting for the snow to melt some before I can get the bigger rims for the front so hopefully soon and  ! then I need to save up for that second set of rims for the back for the winter tires.