2013 GT6000 Purchase

[ssrfenton]

How is the bolt pattern specified for our rear flange rim? Is it just that all 5 bolt are the same? And is there some offset also? Wth the 26x12x12 I think that will open up the tire choices for us.

The K72 is used in the JD X700 series unit and is very strong for a garden tractor while the K66 is a little less torque spec than the G730 however there is a lock feature. I was hoping for an aftermarket lock/unlock retrofit feature for the G730.

On the oil cooler, perhaps some consideration should be given to a starting up a new thread in the projects or other type forum where it is easy to find and reference.

 

[harbin]

The k72 is used on the x500s, my sister has an x540 and loves it. The x700s use the k92 which is used for shaft drive machines. The k72 is used on simplicity machines as well, the specs on their website look fantastic.

The bolt pattern is standard, before buying the tires we took them off my neighbors x749 and they went right on. I needed a little wider stance to mow an area that's steep and has to be cut side ways, so I added 1 1/2" wheel spacers. I'll add pictures of this too, they helped make a little more space so the deck height linkage didn't rub the tire lugs.

I didn't think of posting something for the reference section, but that's probably a great idea.

 

[ssrfenton]

So you are also using the 26x12x12 for lawn cut. The Ag tire style tread pattern together with rear weight and low tire pressure is supposed to produce very good results for snow but for hills and ice a lock diff is even better. I watched the you tube Mud Garden Tractor machines and they show them in the snow also. The tread and lock wheel setup is so aggressive it will cut into the deep snow and then dig into the soil to grip. Quite extreme but it works if you need that leverage.

Still, for the money we are very fortunate to have these machines and I still think they are very good value. The only real issue I read is the deck performance in certain type grass conditions where the grass sticks to the deck underside and rust can set in prematurely.

Thanks for the JD transmission model update, I think the K72 lock maybe an option for snow and light to medium ground work if these wheel tire options need more grip.

 

[harbin]

I do run the All-Trails all year, I really like them in the grass. My front yard is pretty sloped, and the turfs tend to slide too much. I did fill these with Rimguard and it really feels planted now. Before buying those I tried going with the bar-type lugs with OTR Tracmasters in 24x12x12 and while they worked OK in the snow, I still needed chains and the one time I used them in the grass they shreaded it with any wheel slip. In the areas what were softer/wet, I also found them leaving indents in the dirt. Not a big deal, but I didn't like it. The All-trails have been great year round to the point that I'm going to sell the others w/ rims (both turf and the OTRs).

The clumping isssue I ran into got really bad when I swapped to Meg-Mo's. They are really cool and mulch very well, but the clumping at first was insane- so bad that after 2 or 3 cuts the deck was full to the blades and it wouldn't cut. After a few cleanings I called Roy (owner of Meg Mo blades) and found that these blades need a ton of airflow and the pulley covers had to go as well as any baffles. The difference was immediate. Although the deck still gets some grass stuck to it, its' nothing like it was. In the fall when I pulled the deck and mounted the snow blower I wire-wheeled the underside and primed the whole thing. I considered buying that graphite spray paint that's supposed to stop anything from sticking to it but never got around to it.

Here are some pics of the rear end with the spacers and OTR Tracmasters, the oil temp sensor, the gauges, and the oil cooler. I can take more, found these on my laptop.

 

[ssrfenton]

That looks like a great setup there. The oil filter tap off with the integrated temp sensor looks ideal and OEM like.

Those OTR Tracmasters look near ideal for snow but you still consider the All-Trails as good for grip in snow? I can see the Tracmasters being too aggressive for lawn and many with the SCUT and CUT will also confirm these style tires offer good grip but they will rip up the lawn when the tractor is used as an earth works application.

Thanks for the deck update, we plan to mulch leaves etc and have a tow behind catcher for pickup. We already have enough to do and our lawn guy has the Z turn setup that is very economical for lawn mowing so we hope not to have the issues others have had with the deck.

 

[harbin]

I did use the OTRs all last winter and while they do self clean very well, I found once it gets hard packed or there is any glaze on the pavement they just spin. I went as far as loading them with rimguard, 55 lb wheel weights, and strapped 180 lbs to the rear and they still spun (not to mention the rear end just cried and crawled coming back up the driveway). Took the weights off the wheels and off the rear, then added chains.