New rear tire recommendation ...

[Al C. 1,428]

Our property is boardered by a hedge of old OSage Orange trees.  These trees have thorns that are easily 3/4 inch long and as sharp as needles.  Even though I keep the yard clean, every year I manage to pickup one or two of the penetrating menaces in my tractor tires.  It’s time for me to replace the 35 year old rear tires on my SK486.  The original tires are 22x9.5.  I want to move up to 23x10.5.  I’m also interested in tires that are more resistant to the Osage Orange thorns.  Are there any ideas of what I should be looking at?  Thanks!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,325]

If your not willing to take down the trees I would suggest a 4 ply tire at a minimum...maybe even purchase 6 ply tires.

[JoeM 7,874]

10.50's should be mounted on 8.5 inch wide rims. Not sure what's on your 486, 7.5"? I suppose people put them on 7.5" but the I imagine the tread might not lay flat.

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998]

I think the 10.5" tires will work on those rims. They might even be 8.5 inch wide rims anyway. I had a sears tractor once with 9.5" tires on it and the rim was 8.5". Definitely agree with the above comment of heavier tires. I think 6ply would be your best bet. 

 

P.S. I think that little cart is pretty cool too!

[Al C. 1,428]

Thanks for your recommendations!!  Does an Ag versus Turf tire make a difference?  Will either one be more durable/thorn-resistant?

[ol550 830]

[Al C. 1,428]

Looks like it will do the trick!  Very thick because of the wide tread.  Who is the Brand/Manufacturer?

[littleredrider 409]

That’s a fork lift tire lol, don’t make that in our sizes....

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998]

They're pricey, but here is a set of 6ply ags. I definitely like ags better than turf, but it is your personal decision. No right or wrong answer 

 

 

[ol550 830]

3 hours ago, Al C. said:

Looks like it will do the trick!  Very thick because of the wide tread.  Who is the Brand/Manufacturer?

 

Carlyle  IND TRAX  and can get in 23 1050 12  B rating

Sorry my tire source had the forklift tire picture instead of the IND TRAX

Edited March 1, 2018 by ol550

[oliver2-44 9,758]

 

checkout "Compact Tractor tires. On the Miller tire site they have a Kendra 23x8.5x12   6ply for $93  this tire style has lugs that extend square to the edges and a wider lug which might protect the edge of the tire a little more  I believe this lug design is called an "R4" which is an industrial front end loader style.

Edited March 1, 2018 by oliver2-44

[ol550 830]

This one can be had in 23 850 12 TRAC CHIEF

Edited March 1, 2018 by ol550

[littleredrider 409]

Don’t think they will be an issue where down south, but heard they are all but useless in snow and ice...

[oliver2-44 9,758]

You might also look at getting some 2 ply tires and have them foam filled.  In south Texas where there's lots of mesquite and cactus the ranchers run foam filled tires on there tractors. Here at work we've had our large sky tracks  and snorkel lift tires foam filled.  I recently noticed some new zero turn mowers are coming with there small front tires foam filled

I believe you can get the foam fill in 3 different densities. We have the hardest density in our work Skytrack and the guys say it's like running on solid steel rims (but it sure slows there driving down out in the granite pasture behind the dam). I would think the softy to medium would be the right stuf for a garden tractor

[Tankman 3,518]

These should do the trick (http://www.millertire.com/products/lawn-garden-tires/23x10-50-12/23x10-50-12-carlisle-tru-power-4-ply).

Of course foam filled is the Benz.

 

I've seen tire users drill 1/4" tires around the tread perimeter. Then, valve stem removed, fill the tire with Tuff Stuff foam insulation.

Works on wheelbarrows  and carts. Your Horse? There are tire companies that use stiffer foam for off-the-road machinery. Cost?

Home "Cheapo" and Lowes, on-the-shelf.

 

 

[pfrederi 17,741]

13 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

You might also look at getting some 2 ply tires and have them foam filled.  In south Texas where there's lots of mesquite and cactus the ranchers run foam filled tires on there tractors. Here at work we've had our large sky tracks  and snorkel lift tires foam filled.  I recently noticed some new zero turn mowers are coming with there small front tires foam filled

I believe you can get the foam fill in 3 different densities. We have the hardest density in our work Skytrack and the guys say it's like running on solid steel rims (but it sure slows there driving down out in the granite pasture behind the dam). I would think the softy to medium would be the right stuf for a garden tractor

 

 

I have a 3pt 6' New Holland finish mower.  it uses the foam filled tires. Have some black locust which have thorns even on very small plants.  no problems in 15 years....

[Al C. 1,428]

Talking about foam - what about filling the old back tires with Fix-a-Flat tire sealant?

[JoeM 7,874]

We used Slime sealant in our UTV's. Seemed to help.

The brush hog guys in this area use foam, mostly to guard against multiflora rose thorns.

[ebinmaine 67,575]

4 hours ago, Tankman said:

These should do the trick (http://www.millertire.com/products/lawn-garden-tires/23x10-50-12/23x10-50-12-carlisle-tru-power-4-ply).

 

 

I'd recommend these as well. 

I bought a set for the B80 because we use them on our Moffitt forklifts at work and they're  pretty tough. 

 

Also agree that foam fill would be near perfect. 

 

[squonk 41,145]

I just bought a pair of Carlise Farm Specialist 6 ply tires. $62.00 Ea. They are 6-12's but you get the idea on aproxx cost. 

 

[Forest Road 594]

I’m running classic 6 ply ag treads on both machines. Tired of traveling 225 miles to find them nearly flat several time a year I found a fix. Solid rubber filling! It wasn’t cheap but they’ll never go flat again and the added weight does wonders for my traction year round. 

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

Wow the information here is overwhelming. I never thought of little thorns or what ever would do this. Good info.

[ebinmaine 67,575]

3 hours ago, Forest Road said:

 I found a fix. Solid rubber filling! It wasn’t cheap but they’ll never go flat again and the added weight does wonders for my traction year round. 

How does one go about getting more information on the solid fill process? Where to buy the stuff? How much weight does it actually add? Whatever you can tell me. Thanks.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

How does one go about getting more information on the solid fill process? Where to buy the stuff? How much weight does it actually add? Whatever you can tell me. Thanks.

There's a commercial tire shop here next to work that does our cushman scooter tires (4.80-8) and weigh maybe an extra 25# and when done right they ride pretty smooth on our nearly 60 yr old concrete floor, the big JLG man lift also has the foam filled tires but do many times scrubbing the sidewalls against machinery they are flopping around but the foam is still there, but on the flip side once you do it the rim/wheel is basically done for, short answer try a commercial tire shop, Jeff.

[Al C. 1,428]

I want to thank everyone for sharing their experience and suggestions.  It’s overwhelming the positive response and helpful information members can get here.  This is the best place on the internet for practical problem solving.  Owning a Wheel Horse is worth whatever it’s cost, if only for the common sense and experience we have access to on the wheelhorseforum.  Thanks!!   Oh, I’m going with the six ply ags.  Will look at foam if 6-ply fails to do the trick.