Tires big tires

Anonymous Poster · Jul 29, 2002

I have a TC25D with the standard turf tires. I am starting to notice shallow depressions in my yard where my tires ride from cutting the lawn. I am always careful not to cut the lawn when the ground is wet and soft (not like we've had any rain around here anyway), and I try to avoid running the same pattern week to week. I used to own a very old and tired Kubota B7200, and I didn't have this problem. The Kubota had wider, more squared tires that seemed to float better and distribute the weight more evenly. Of course it was probably a little lighter as well; that helps. New Holland's turf tires seem to be pretty narrow and the tread area is very rounded. This tends to concentrate the weight into a small area. Not good. My dealer mentioned Galaxy tires, and said they use them of turf farms, golf courses, etc. I saw them first hand and they too look very balloon like and rounded; they are wider however. Does anybody know where I can get the "Kubota" style turf tire, which is wide and square (the tread is flat not rounded from sidewall to sidewall)?

Steven · Jul 29, 2002

they are titan muti trac turf tires. This site<A target="_blank" HREF=http://titantires.com>http://titantires.com</A> may be able to find a dealer in your area or you can use the info to find one yourself. hope this can help you. I have a kubota but requested r/4 tires with it.

Mrwurm · Jul 29, 2002

I have a NH TC30 with turf tires. I agree that they are too narrow and 'peaked' in the center. I believe that the 'rounded' design helps to prevent turf damage when turning but is a negative the rest of the time. When its time to replace them, I too will look for something wider.

JackIL · Jul 29, 2002

A couple of considerations:

(1) Are you running the minimum required inflation pressures to support each axle for the given tire sizes? The average contact pressure from a tire on the turf is always about 1 psi higher than the inflation pressure, and if you are running overinflated that puts extra pressure on the turf. It is the pressure (pounds per square inch) not just the raw weight (pounds) carried by the tire that determines the amount of depression you see in the turf or the soil compaction just below it. Assuming you don't have a loader on the front and your mower is a mid-mount, typical required pressures would be around 12-14 psi front and 8-10 psi rear. Of course when using a loader the fronts would require more inflation pressure. If you know the weights of the tractor with mid mount mower deck measured at the front axle and at the rear axle, you can look up the required inflation pressures in tables published by the Tire and Rim Association or tire manufacturers. I don't think the full tables for all tire sizes are available on the Web. Your Tractor Operators Manual may also provide the proper tire pressure for your tires.

(2) Galaxy is a brand name of tires--not a style. However, many Galaxy brand extra large turf tires are often seen on golf course tractors that pull gang mowers. One consideration is that typically these tires are too large in diameter and width to provide sufficient clearance for a mid-mount deck. There are possibilities of tire interferences when raising the deck or when steering to full lock.

I recommend you start by making sure you are operating at the correct tire inflation pressures.

JackIL

Anonymous Poster · Jul 30, 2002

Thanks for the input guys. I will check the tire pressure and make sure it is correct. Letting some air out of the tires (if possible) was my first thought. I just think that I'll be defeated due to the shape and narrow width of the tire. These two factors reduce the contact patch of the tire on the turf.