New Owner of a 1997 HDS 3185 Cub

[iquester]

I really would like a mid tread tire. Somthing more aggressive in the rear than the Turf Pro (Carlisle) that came stock, but not a full ag tire. I know that is asking a lot. Any ideas?

M Gardner

 

[ducati996]

I really would like a mid tread tire. Somthing more aggressive in the rear than the Turf Pro (Carlisle) that came stock, but not a full ag tire. I know that is asking a lot. Any ideas?

M Gardner

The tire is definitely made by Carlisle for Cub...I would also suggest going with at least a 4ply tire instead of the inadequate 2ply that are supplied.

Look at the mfg web site www.carlisletire.com to see if a tire fits in the size range you want. They have rim width dimensions as well which will help.

try www.tiresunlimited.com or www.cedarrapidstire.com for tires prices and delivery....

I used turf masters 4ply on my Cub 3204 which does a great job, never had a flat. I also use the Super lugs on seperate rims which work great in winter

good luck

 

[Fordlords]

I am using Carlisle's most agressive turf tire up front, 4 ply Multi-Trac CS'es. On the rear I have 4 ply Turf Trac RS'es, a little less agressive.

I warn you that the Multi-Tracs like to pick up stuff and it sticks between the thick treads. (Real fun when it's the neighbor's dog poop!) The Turf Trac model I think is more ideal for all around for lawn mowing and I should have used them up front also.

Your stock Turf Pro's look to be strictly a 2 ply model and it looks like you will have to use the 24x12x12's or 23x10.5x12's to be able to use other tread styles on your rear rims and be able to have 4 or 6 ply rear tires, but it is not really anything to worry about changing the tire size.

You can use lugs if you want- I have talked with MANY guys who use them for mowing, and they assure me they work great and do not damage the lawn at all.

This pix shows the difference between the Multi-Trac fronts and Turf-Trac rears on my tractor:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/data/524/25195100_0669-med.JPG



-Fordlords-

 

[iquester]

Fordlords - thanks for the advice. Ducati - thanks for the tip about Carlisle's site and rim width, mounted width, etc.!

I just ordered the Turf Trac R/S from Cedar Rapids Tire. Their shipped price was about $10 less than Tires unlimited on the same 4.

The mounted height and width on the rear tires 24x12.0-12's compares very favorably to the stock Turf Pro 24x10.5-12's so I am anticipating no problems.

Turf Pro 24x10.5: Mounted Height 23.1 Mounted Width 10.6
Turf Trac 24x12.0: Mounted Meight 23.5 Mounted Width 11.0

We'll see how it goes. Just had a flat on the original 9 year old tires and I think it is a sign of things to come. I'll let you know how they work out!

Thanks again,

Mike Gardner

 

[ducati996]

As you found out - the size that is stamped on the tire isnt always acurate and its usually smaller when it comes to cub tires....My originals had stamped 23 x 9.5-12. In reality they were 20.5 x 9 x 12....big difference

So if you go with 4plys you will get a tire that basically fits your original tire's stamped size -

 

[Frogger8203]

I have a 3185 with 928 hours and runs out great. Snow blade came with but being in south I doubt I will ever put it on

 

[DKCDKC]

Was given a HDS 3185 last fall. Owner said it had lots of issues. I cleaned it up, tuned the engine, replaced a few inexpensive parts, and it runs well. The only problem is a strong metal sound most of the time. It seems below the engine in the area of the flywheel/blower fan. Anyone have any experience with problems there? I don't know whether to keep running it or now. Getting at the area seems to require removal of the engine - a major undertaking in this big a tractor.

I feel the pain on the tires. It has conventional lawn tractor tires on it with apparent tread, but spins out on uphill turns. The tractor is almost 1,000 pounds heavy, so I'm surprised and - if I can get other things fixed, will invest in new tires. The machine has 400 hours on it.

 

[Frogger8203]

Check the pulley in the front of motor. It may be a bad bearing or pulley

 

[DKCDKC]

Check the pulley in the front of motor. It may be a bad bearing or pulley

Good point. But that pulley seems fine. The bar supporting the mower deck had worn to the extent that it was actually scraping the pulley, so I double-checked it anyway. I replaced that part and all is fine now.

From talking to a few old Cub Cadet mechanics, I think its the driveshaft adapter at the point where it connects to the engine. The adapter apparently used a strange configuration and multiple small spacers that somehow cause it to all fit together. I'm told that the spacers can get loose and make a lot of noise. But the only damage is to the adapter, etc, which I'll have to remove and replace. But I'd have to remove and replace it to fix it now or later - so I'm leaning toward just letting it be for a few months and using it until I get time to fix it. If it breaks, I'm no worse off either way I don't thionk.

 

[DKCDKC]

Check the pulley in the front of motor. It may be a bad bearing or pulley

Good point. But that pulley seems fine. The bar supporting the mower deck had worn to the extent that it was actually scraping the pulley, so I double-checked it anyway. I replaced that part and all is fine now.

From talking to a few old Cub Cadet mechanics, I think its the driveshaft adapter at the point where it connects to the engine. The adapter apparently used a strange configuration and multiple small spacers that somehow cause it to all fit together. I'm told that the spacers can get loose and make a lot of noise. But the only damage is to the adapter, etc, which I'll have to remove and replace. But I'd have to remove and replace it to fix it now or later - so I'm leaning toward just letting it be for a few months and using it until I get time to fix it. If it breaks, I'm no worse off either way I don't thionk.