Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Rule

RobertN · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

I would agree with your disagreement, with brief explanation /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As mentioned in other messages here, not all snow is created equal; there are all kinds of variables.

Usually, narrow tires are best for snow; most turfs are wide for floatation which is not always helpful in snow, or mud for that matter.

It would be very interesting to do a expieriment like they did in the 4x4 magazine; have siping added to a couple different types of tires and test them. Unfortunately, I have niether the budget they did, nor do I have snow; I got about 1" two seperate times this winter.

Curiously, where abouts are you in Vermont? A couple years ago I took a trip from New Milford Ct up through Killington and Woodstock, during early October. It is beautiful country up there!

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

GlueGuy · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

This is a great discussion!

I think that Robert is right here. All these different conditions (Snow and soil) plus all the different equipment we're talking about (BX's through B's through L's, and that's just the <font color=orange>orange</font color=orange> ones /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif) make for an enourmous number of variables.

I definitely think the narrowness of Ag's give them an advantage anytime you really need to be agressive. R4's are (usually) wider, so they have more "float", and not quite as aggressive a tread. Turfs are a bit wider still with not agressive tread at all, but a lot more ridges. Seems they get maximum float, but compensate with lots of little teeth. If you have a light machine (like a BX) the fact that you're "floating" (almost like a snowmobile) means that the tires might actually work pretty well insome circumstances.

I would like to hear from some people that have used any of the Michelin M27/M28 type tires. The treads on these seem to be a compromise between traditional Ags and R4's.

The GlueGuy

glennmac · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

I think the Ag Elimination Rule remains valid, but it must be modified to adopt the Zamboni Corollary.

The rule is basically a procedural one: try ags in the worst case situation before you decide to go to a less aggressive tire. I had posited that lawn damage was the only worst case situation. But Von and the subsequent snowy posters have highlighted the little known Zamboni Corollary to the Ag Elimation Rule. The Zamboni Corollary states that: if the ags pass the lawn damage test, you must then also run them on your usual ice rink snow clearing pattern.

Of course, the Zamboni Corollary presents a classic Zen paradox: How can you test tires on your lush lawn and your frozen ice rink at the same time? Well, no one said this was easy.

The long term solution to this Zen dilemma is that we must all rise up with our collective TBN purchasing power and moral might, and demand that all tractor dealer have enclosed lawns, mud pits, sand pits, ice rinks and snow fields available on a 12 month basis so that proper tire tests can be performed in situ.

Failing that, there is a short term solution to the snow traction question--an actual test, now. Can any of you, where there is still snow on the ground, find a dealer who has the same tractor with ags, turf and r4's near a still-snowy field, and do a traction test for the rest of us. I know it would be an impostion, but it would be more fun than going to work or doing your tax return.

Glenn

mikim · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

Boondox - et al ---
You fellas sure make me glad I live in Texas!! It's near 80 today. I've mowed my yard twice - it needs it again - I have 2 sisters flying in today from out of state and we're taking a drive in the country tomorrow just to look at the wildflowers....and stop by my dealers to look at my new tractor that just came in -- and I haven't even seen a hard freeze in 3 years. Y'all can just keep that funny white stuff you have to push around before you can drive around./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
mike

Boondox · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

Robert -- We live in Mansfield (outskirts of Stowe), just up the road from the Trapp Family Lodge of Sound of Music fame. Having been in the navy for 13 years, and around the world twice, I thought I'd miss the ocean terribly. Vermont seems to have filled that void and then some!

I truly love it here, and would be content to never vacation anywhere else. Check out our web page for a view of our life: www.gatewaytovermont.com.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Boondox · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

Usually, when the ground is frozen and the snow is freshly fallen, the dogs and I will grab our little plastic sled and rocket down the road. When the snow is all chewed up by sledding I break out the four wheeler and race up and down the road, sliding all over the place. Only when the snow is completely trashed does the Kubota come out.

I think next year I'll begin the winter season by plowing the snow into mounds in my meadow...then I can start a sled run down the hill, caroming off the mounds. By the end of the winter I ought to have one hell of a luge run from the top of the meadow three hundred yards downhill to the bottom corner of our property. Anyone wanna visit next winter?

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

gordon · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

A couple of members on this board have the Michelins on their Kubotas and love them. Better than an ag and have the strengh/floatation of the r/4. MarkC has them on his 4310 and RichH has them on his 4610.

I run ags on my tractor but I work in alot of mud/clay so I need all the bite and cleaning that I can get. I've been stuck before and had to get off the tractor and clean out the clay from the treads---sticky stuff. At times I'll also leave the chains on for added traction, helps alot but still can load those up at times.

Gordon

Anonymous Poster · Apr 5, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

<font color=blue> Anyone wanna visit next winter? …just up the road from the Trapp Family Lodge of Sound of Music fame </font color=blue>

Pete… My wife just loves the Sound of Music (& my 4 girls)…she wants to go./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Pete, can you and your wife sing and dance?/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

ddl · Apr 6, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

interesting, but most have forgot to add in the experience of the operator. I will bet that the person who has less trouble with spinning the tires can change tires to any type and will spin tires less again. The more you use your tractor the more you learn how to operate the tractor. There is a difference between operating a tractor and riding a tractor.
Dan L

Boondox · Apr 6, 2001

Re: Choosing the Right Tire--The Ag Elimination Ru

John -- I can't do either, though my wife has a singing voice that makes my heart skip beats. On the other hand, I can drive a tractor and shoot a soda can from 400 yards -- surely those skills count for something..?

Unfortunately, our famous neighbor has all the personality of a toad. Not at all like the movie. His mother, Maria von Trapp (deceased) on the other hand, was a character. She and my wife's grandmother were best of friends and used to roam the forest together. I have a photo of them sipping schnapps on the porch one summer day. Maria, who was built like a Maytag washer and cursed like a sailor, laughed till the day she died about Julie Andrews playing her in the movie. They were polar opposites!

Pete (Where the hills truly are alive, but not with music)

www.GatewayToVermont.com