New Rear Tires on the 518xi

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

After pumping up my one leaking original Titan turf one too many times on the 518xi, I splurged and purchased a pair of Kenda K502 4-ply tires in the 23x10.50-12 size. They are a bit cheaper than the Carlisle All Trail that is popular but I feel is a more aggressive tread. It was the first time I purchased tires from GCT Wholesale and was a bit disappointed when I took them out of the box.They were triangular in shape! But I let them warm and some gentle persuasion with my size 12 they were sort of round again for mounting.

 

They are not too aggressive so they should accept chains, but with the blocking may be able to cut through light to medium snow. I still need to put the wheel weights and suitcase weights on as they look like they have too much pressure in them. Trying them out may be a problem as I looked at the long-term forecast to mid-March - and no snow is forecast. I may try the next size up on the 523Dxi if these work out.

 

Also, check your hubs for tightness. I had the wheels off to install the lug nuts about four years ago with about 40 hours use since then. This last year it wasn't used because of having the diesel. They were just beginning to move on the axle. In fact originally when I checked I thought they were tight.

 

 

 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

John, nice tread pattern, looks to have some real "bite" for the snow. Will be interested to see how they work.

 

Glenn

[russellmc301 600]

the tread is awesome will bite when the snow or dirt comes.

[slammer302 2,155]

Looking good!!!! I think you will like the atv style tires 

[russellmc301 600]

reminds me of an off road tractor with the deep tread

 

next time is snows you will be tearing up the neighbor hood  

[Tankman 3,518]

Look very capable! I think I'll join you and try a pair on my 520-8.

[WHX?? 48,815]

Those will take chains real nice John.....might be a little concerned with mowing on soft turf maybe a little too aggressive? ? All sand around here so maybe not an issue  for you.

[Eric C 109]

Nice choice. I'm running the same tires (filled with ww fluid and weights) on my 520H. They are great for mowing on my hilly terrain. My first time using in snow was this last 30" storm we had in Md. Had to use chains and my son on the rear to clean up that one. 

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Those look like very capable tires John. I think I am going that route for the next set.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

They look great! I run a set of the Carlisle All Trails and they are great in the snow with about 75#'s a wheel and no chains.

Mike...........

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

10 hours ago, Eric C said:

Nice choice. I'm running the same tires (filled with ww fluid and weights) on my 520H. They are great for mowing on my hilly terrain. My first time using in snow was this last 30" storm we had in Md. Had to use chains and my son on the rear to clean up that one. 

 

That storm was something! Nice to hear how they work for you. My plan is to load them with RV antifreeze.  I was hesitant about doing it right away as I did have a problem with the one original tire going flat on me. After a few days to make sure that it isn't a rim/sealing problem I'll go ahead and fill them.

 

 

[Theroundhousernr 589]

10 hours ago, Eric C said:

Nice choice. I'm running the same tires (filled with ww fluid and weights) on my 520H. They are great for mowing on my hilly terrain. My first time using in snow was this last 30" storm we had in Md. Had to use chains and my son on the rear to clean up that one. 

 

 

  What kind of rims or tire spacers do you have on the back of that thing??

[Eric C 109]

14 hours ago, Theroundhousernr said:

 

 

  What kind of rims or tire spacers do you have on the back of that thing??

The wheels were from a craftsman GT but the offset interfered with the trans filter. I bought 2" wheel spacers from http://www.xtrememotorworks.com

worked out well. The 48" deck gauge wheels just clear the tires. 

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

8 hours ago, Eric C said:

The 48" deck gauge wheels just clear the tires. 

 

I hadn't thought of that! My 48" deck gage wheels would rub the sidewall sometimes on tight turns. Maybe back to the turfs for mowing, different tractor, or 52" deck.

 

Looks like snow after all on Tuesday so I might get a chance to try them!

[ericj 1,578]

i bought a set of the Carlisle all trails and put them on my 520-H 2 stage snow blower tractor and i love them. i have 70 lb stell wheel weights and 2 40 lb suit case weights on it and i do run 2 link tire chains also and it's a beast. i'm planning on buying a set for my main worker tractor 520-H that i'll be using this summer and have a single stage blower on now. it was helpless in the big snow we just had here with ag tires wheel weights and no chains on

 

 

 

eric j

[DennisThornton 4,769]

My mail-order Kenda for the front of my XI was a triangle.  No point in trying to mount them without warming them up first!

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Here is an update on the K502 tires. I feel that they are a nice compromise to a turf with chains and ag with chains in the snow. A bit more aggressive in spacing between the blocks for snow but able to bite on ice as well.

 

 

 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

would be interested in heavy deep snow use. that will tell the tale.

 

Glenn

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

14 minutes ago, JERSEYHAWG / Glenn said:

would be interested in heavy deep snow use. that will tell the tale.

 

Glenn

I actually got on some ice in the one neighbor's driveway. Stopped as I didn't want to stick it - but was able continue to keep pushing.

[doc724 925]

John,  I look forward to a summer update to see if these tear up the turf.  I think good robust turf is probably OK, but if the turf has a shallow root system, it may be an issue.

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

@shallowwatersailor John, just updating this to see if you have an update on these tires.

 

I am about to pull the trigger on a set for my 522 and just wanted to see how they fair with 48" deck clearance and other such things.

 

I am torn if I should do a matching set for the fronts or if I am going with the V61's...

 

Thanks!

Edited October 12, 2016 by bmsgaffer

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

I wish that I had an answer for you but my diesel did the mowing this season with the original turfs. The plow stayed on the 518xi with the Kenda K502 tires. Right now I'm trying to decide between another set of K502 23X10.50-12 tires or the K502 26X12.00-12 on new 10" wide rims for the diesel. The specs show their diameter as 25" compared to the 23's as 23" diameter. I believe that I have the clearance to do this. Some suppliers offer a 24X11.00-12 - but the cost more than the larger size!  The reason for the larger tire is I've always thought that the 5xi looks "under-tired".

 

I have a set of 16X6.50-8 V61 tires that I am going to put on the 518xi. It will probably become a dedicated snowplow tractor because the diesel is so economical to run! But I wonder if they will be smaller in diameter than the original 16X7.50-8 turfs. Some published specs aren't accurate. The smaller Field Trax (K502?) is used on the Simplicity Prestige 4WD. It probably would put up more resistance when turning in snow but how different than the V61? 

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

I totally agree that the 5xi's are 'under-tired'. I had also considered going with a larger size, but I wanted to assure that there was plenty of room to run chains if I needed them. I think the 25-26" tires would get too close to the fender to clear chains (and be a bear to put on). I would hope that you wouldn't need them, but with my steep driveway I like to be able to run a little insurance. 

 

However, if you don't plan on running chains, i think 26x12-12 rear (Maybe get wider rims to be sure that they don't balloon) and 18x8.5-8's on the front would look AWESOME. My only fear would be mower-deck clearance. I know there is a bit more room on the XI's than the classics, but is it enough? And dang, you'd be probably clearing 8mph with the 26's... watch those turns! 

 

I think I will probably end up with another set of V61's but they packed snow a bit more than I would have liked last season, so I was thinking the K502's may clear it even better than the V61's... 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I think the XIs might have sold better if Toro had made them LOOK like the bigger/badder tractor that it really is, rather than have the same style hood and just common 12" rears.  I think 15" wheels would have been a better choice.  But for now I am curious if 26x12-12s would fit.