Tires Bar to Turf

[SwampmanLA]

I bought a 422 in January, I love this machine.

living in the mud of Louisiana I figured I needed bar tires to get a bite because this is a tractor, lots of pulling/pushing power, right? Well what I did not factor in was the torque limits of the wheel motors, I should have done more research. So now I have five bar tires on my 422 that I really don't need. They pick up mud between the bars and put bar marks all over the soft ground. so I'm thinking of options........
1) Do a swap with someone on this board that wants bar tires, not likely.
2) Keep the bar tires and live with it, six ply have benefits
3) shave the bars down a bit to reduce the ability of the tires to pickup mud and mark the ground

Anyone have experience shaving down tires? I know racers shave tires but with what tool?

Thanks from the Swamp

[Red Zebra]

I read about a hand-held tread cutter/siping/shaver device in a 4x4 magazine a few years ago. Seems it was around $150. I just googled and am getting big industrial type machines for responses.

[MrWoodChips]

Originally Posted by SwampmanLA

3) shave the bars down a bit to reduce the ability of the tires to pickup mud and mark the ground

Anyone have experience shaving down tires? I know racers shave tires but with what tool?

I've turned rubber before. Its a little grabby, but it can be done with sharp tools. Just find a friend with a large enough lathe to take a tire.

John

[J_J]

The purpose of the bars is to dig down until they grab something. They will fill up with soft mud and also sling it all over the place. There are probably some jobs where they would be useful.

I am thinking those electric wood planers would do a decent job of shaving rubber.

You could trade or sell them.

You could even put chains on them for extreme traction.

My Dixie Chopper Zero turn, uses a modified bar tire for clinging to wet grassy hills, and does well on grass.

[BobRip]

I have a 422 and can appreciate the torque limit problem. Before you shave the tires consider tryimg some things to get moving. When you are stuck, steer left and right while applying power. I have gotten out of some bad situations and up some steep hills doing this. This is called the PT wiggle. Back off on the power pedal a little. This gives an effective lower gear.

Put more weight on the rear. This especially applies if you are carrying something on the front. I leave weights on mine full time. (110 pounds on the hitch). It feels like a different machine. I took them off for some reason last year and immediately regretted it. Oh, mine is an old machine with a light rear end so this may not be as good for you. If your rear wheels always spin first then this is a definate need.

Drop your tire pressures a little (11 on front 7 PSI on rear).
Try all of this and I think you will be pleased.