Tires Running tractor tires on a zero turn

[ProjectKing]

I'm debating installing ag or industrial style tires on my ZD326. Currently it has turfs on it.

I'm attaching pics (pics I stole off image search) to show the 3 styles I'm considering. R1 (bar tires), R4 (industrial) and Carlisle WT300 tires.

Does anyone have any opinions? I can get the R1 or the R4 fairly cheap from dealer because they are same as BX series tractor. Would keep my old tires and wheels for a yard cart or something.

 

[Tractor Dell]

I'm debating installing ag or industrial style tires on my ZD326. Currently it has turfs on it.

I'm attaching pics (pics I stole off image search) to show the 3 styles I'm considering. R1 (bar tires), R4 (industrial) and Carlisle WT300 tires.

Does anyone have any opinions? I can get the R1 or the R4 fairly cheap from dealer because they are same as BX series tractor. Would keep my old tires and wheels for a yard cart or something.

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The R4 tires may work. Many BX and B folks use them on their tractors and they mow their yards a lot. I am thinking the R1 tires may tear up your yard, as the tread is very aggressive. Just my thoughts.

 

[knukey]

Grasshopper mowers come with these: http://fixmytoys.net/images/stens/2_160-675.jpg

Gotta be a reason why. I find my turf tires spin too easily.

 

[ProjectKing]

Grasshopper mowers come with these: http://fixmytoys.net/images/stens/2_160-675.jpg

Gotta be a reason why. I find my turf tires spin too easily.

Yes they do. I think those are made just for that purpose. Makes me think the BX R1's may work pretty good... I could always shave edges off if needed.

 

[War Eagle 2]

I had a similar lug tire put on my ZTR and it has improved my traction in wet grass and on hills. I had to learn to slow my turns down and watch my take off speeds because if you give too much torque on the lug tires it will remove a patch of grass. On corners or when backing you have to be sure you start slow and keep the differential power in sync for what ever maneuver you are trying to do. For instance if you drag one wheel in comparison to the other the lugs will remove some grass.

This may sound like I don't like them, but that's not true. The positive out way the negatives. You can overcome the negatives if you better manage your driving style.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I run "bar" tires on both of my Grasshoppers,

SR

 

[RjCorazza]

This topic has been on my radar lately. I have 2 ZD mowers, and want better traction on banks that I routinely cut. I've been looking at the atv style knobby tires with aggressive sidewall edges, or grooving my existing tires. I can see the R1 tire pushing into the turf and improving hillside traction also, and to a lesser degree the R4's, but I have no experience with them on a zero.

 

[aczlan]

I would put something like the Carlisle AllTrail 2 on there before I put bar tires on. Better sidehill traction and a little more sidewall flexibility.

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

What tire size? Not all tread patterns are available on all sizes. That said, I like my AT101's on my ztr.

Contrary to popular belief, bar tires, or similar don't tear up the yard any more than turfs. And sometimes less. But you gotta know how to operate with them.

Let me elaborate....

Turf tires in slick conditions spin. That results in more damage than a bar tire that does not spin.

Going around trees and other stuff, with turfs you could easily be spinning the crap out of the inside tire and not even know it. This tears up the yard. Bar tires don't spin, they force you to be a good operator and hold the lever just right for the turn.

As to knowing how to drive with them....don't turn/spin on a dime. Do a 3-point turn (also called k-turn). And you will be just fine

 

[s219]

What is the reason or goal? I wouldn't go with an R4 since it's stiffer and won't really have a traction benefit, so I don't see the point of it on a z-turn. R4 is mainly for handling heavy loads (ie, front loader or backhoe) and puncture resistance typical of construction use.

 

[DK35vince]

I would think the tires pictured would make for a rough ride.
Tires with some side wall flex (similar to an ATV tire) would ride much better IMO.

 

[JK22]

I have R4s (I think...) on my BX. They can be pretty rough on my native grass "lawn" (not really a suburban lawn). I would never put them on a dedicated mower. They really tend to chew up the ground if I'm not careful. Which tends to be about once per seat session. They definitely look "cooler" than turf tires, but I don't see the benefit on a zero turn. Zero turns, by design, are made for very tight turns. All of the tires you are looking at are not. I can almost guarantee you won't like the combination.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Grasshopper mowers come with these: http://fixmytoys.net/images/stens/2_160-675.jpg

Gotta be a reason why. I find my turf tires spin too easily.

I had tires VERY similar to these on a 2wd mower, before I got my BX, to handle my hilly terrain. They worked wonders. (Mine were Carlisle.)

If you use your power to spin them, they will tear up your grass for sure... however if you don't get aggressive with them you won't have much/any damage because they grip really well and don't slip like turfs.

 

[Monster5601]

I wouldn't go with an R4 since it's stiffer and won't really have a traction benefit, so I don't see the point of it on a z-turn. R4 is mainly for handling heavy loads (ie, front loader or backhoe) and puncture resistance typical of construction use.

The one picture the OP posted of the ZD in the garage is mine. My ZD came with turfs but the turfs had poor traction in wet grass and the turfs would load-up with mud on very wet grasslands. My dealer suggested R4's, made all the difference in traction, I've yet to get stuck with the R4s.

After seven years of mowing four acres of wet grass, sometimes in standing water, sometime very dry ground, the R4's do not tear up the grass any more than the turfs did.

 

[ruffdog]

What is the reason or goal? I wouldn't go with an R4 since it's stiffer and won't really have a traction benefit, so I don't see the point of it on a z-turn. R4 is mainly for handling heavy loads (ie, front loader or backhoe) and puncture resistance typical of construction use.

I agree. If you drive 2 identical tractors, one with turfs, the other with r4 tires, you will feel how much stiffer the r4's are to live with. Also, r4's will not keep you from sliding sideways when slick.

 

[mikester]

The one picture the OP posted of the ZD in the garage is mine. My ZD came with turfs but the turfs had poor traction in wet grass and the turfs would load-up with mud on very wet grasslands. My dealer suggested R4's, made all the difference in traction, I've yet to get stuck with the R4s.

After seven years of mowing four acres of wet grass, sometimes in standing water, sometime very dry ground, the R4's do not tear up the grass any more than the turfs did.

What size tires did you use?

 

[ProjectKing]

The one picture the OP posted of the ZD in the garage is mine. My ZD came with turfs but the turfs had poor traction in wet grass and the turfs would load-up with mud on very wet grasslands. My dealer suggested R4's, made all the difference in traction, I've yet to get stuck with the R4s.

After seven years of mowing four acres of wet grass, sometimes in standing water, sometime very dry ground, the R4's do not tear up the grass any more than the turfs did.

Thank you for response. There's two pics with ZDs in garage. Yours with the RTV or the other one?

 

[100 td]

 

[V65ozzie]

I run bar tires on my zero turn, I have some hills and embankments, so added traction was necessary. On the lawn they tend to tear up grass if I zero turn, so a have to turn, back up and turn again. Luckily I don't have much "lawn" I managed to puncture the original tires on the sidewalls, local places wouldn't patch them, because, and I quote "You can't patch sidewalls because they will blow out at high speed" It's a lawnmower for crying out loud! Faced with having to buy new tires, I went with the bar type.

 

[LD1]

I run bar tires on my zero turn, I have some hills and embankments, so added traction was necessary. On the lawn they tend to tear up grass if I zero turn, so a have to turn, back up and turn again. Luckily I don't have much "lawn" I managed to puncture the original tires on the sidewalls, local places wouldn't patch them, because, and I quote "You can't patch sidewalls because they will blow out at high speed" It's a lawnmower for crying out loud! Faced with having to buy new tires, I went with the bar type.

"Turn, backup, turn again".....

Commonly referred to as a K-turn or a 3-point turn.

And yes, that's a must on a ZTR even if you have turfs. Because even turfs will tear the sod if you try a "zero" turn.

Not patching a sidewall???? Get a $10 patch kit that has the tools, tube of cement, and the black licorice looking plugs.

Would I plug a sidewall in my car/truck....no. but have patched many many sidewalls in lawnmower and tractor tires over the years without. Single failure.