Deck issue, lost pin

[Sigarms]

If the tire's pressures are low, or there is rust on the wheel rim where the tire bead seats when properly inflated the tires will leak air until flat. Since both went flat it would most likely be underinflation in both tires. Check bead area for rust before re-inflating. Best to use a gauge to ensure even, correct pressures, as the wrong psi will affect cut quality too.

I actually replaced one tube a couple of months ago, and found it low again, and this time the other tire as low as well. Fell over dead on the hard foam filled tires prices, added from what I've read bout the bumpier ride.

Just picked up a pair of Ecoflex filled tires for $47 each and they seem to be working great (to short of a time to tell I realize, just hated having to keep screwing around with those tubes/tires).

 

[TailDragon]

I have a set of the Marathon run flats on the older mower, they are narrower & taller than OEM despite labeled as the same size. The older set lasted years before having problems.
Kubota has flat free tires on the front of the ZD mowers, why not ours?

 

[sandalwood]

I actually replaced one tube a couple of months ago, and found it low again, and this time the other tire as low as well. Fell over dead on the hard foam filled tires prices, added from what I've read bout the bumpier ride.

Just picked up a pair of Ecoflex filled tires for $47 each and they seem to be working great (to short of a time to tell I realize, just hated having to keep screwing around with those tubes/tires).

Was the shaft size the same?

 

[Sigarms]

Was the shaft size the same?

Yes. Tires went on and are locked in without a problem.

Talking with the customer service rep prior to ordering, it seems the shaft size could be a issue, but after I took the measurements and they seemed dead on, added the fact that as long as I didn't greese the wheels I could return them, I figure it was a long shot it wouldn't work and I had nothing to lose other than shipping costs.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Yes. Tires went on and are locked in without a problem.

Talking with the customer service rep prior to ordering, it seems the shaft size could be a issue, but after I took the measurements and they seemed dead on, added the fact that as long as I didn't greese the wheels I could return them, I figure it was a long shot it wouldn't work and I had nothing to lose other than shipping costs.

View attachment 383684

Can you give more details of size, part number and a web site to order from, maybe link to the page. Can't read this paeyou osted. To blurry when Ctrl+ used.

 

[Sigarms]

I believe these were the tires I ordered for your Kubota

9x350x4 reliance flat proof smooth tire mounted on a white steel wheel with 3.25" centered hub length and 3/4" roller bearings. fitments - gravely, ariens, kubota, carlisle tire co. - Ken Jones Tires

They don't weigh a ton each (and bounce accordingly) and easier on the wallet.

EDIT: found the original link per what I posted. I'm including it because there is a very simple video at the bottom on how to measure for the tires.

Flat Proof Tires Flat Proof Tires for Zero Turn Mowers | Flat Free Tires

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Reading this, found some of these tires for $41 on Ebay with 4" center and then dawned on me that you have the 60" deck not the 72". Guess I need to check to see if they are the same size.
Marathon Industries 01014 9x3.50-4 in. Flat-Free Tire with Smooth Tread

 

[sandalwood]

Thank you, very helpful.

I believe these were the tires I ordered for your Kubota

9x350x4 reliance flat proof smooth tire mounted on a white steel wheel with 3.25" centered hub length and 3/4" roller bearings. fitments - gravely, ariens, kubota, carlisle tire co. - Ken Jones Tires

They don't weigh a ton each (and bounce accordingly) and easier on the wallet.

EDIT: found the original link per what I posted. I'm including it because there is a very simple video at the bottom on how to measure for the tires.

Flat Proof Tires Flat Proof Tires for Zero Turn Mowers | Flat Free Tires

 

[TailDragon]

John, those Marathon tires are narrower and taller that the original tires even they are stamped the same size. They were on a one piece rim, the ball bearings did not last long. I cut the rims apart and mounted the tire on the Kubota 3 piece wheel assembly (roller bearings) . Have not measured them but both decks (60 & 72) look like they use the same wheel. When I got mine the picture showed the 2 piece rim but they were 1 piece. Had to adjust the deck due to difference in height.

SigArms, are those 2 piece wheels you can take apart if needed? The site did not show this detail.
Thanks for finding these and trying them.

 

[Sigarms]

John, those Marathon tires are narrower and taller that the original tires even they are stamped the same size. They were on a one piece rim, the ball bearings did not last long. I cut the rims apart and mounted the tire on the Kubota 3 piece wheel assembly (roller bearings) . Have not measured them but both decks (60 & 72) look like they use the same wheel. When I got mine the picture showed the 2 piece rim but they were 1 piece. Had to adjust the deck due to difference in height.

SigArms, are those 2 piece wheels you can take apart if needed? The site did not show this detail.
Thanks for finding these and trying them.

They are one piece. Actually, last night, I put a level on the deck and I believe you are correct, they are slightly higher (probably about 1/4"). I've been busy with vacation/work/family, that I never noticed it at first and only when my dad was driving it last night thought it looked "a little off" per front deck height. How long did you get out of the ball bearings?

 

[TailDragon]

I think I got around 50 hours out of them, pumping grease into the bearings every 10 hours. This was on a 72 inch RD.

 

[TailDragon]

Looking at tires only at Carefree Tires website. Question is the pin 5/8 or 3/4 for the hub if I ordered the complete wheel (3 piece) assembly. Am away from mowers.
Had a hydraulic delivery hose split on the oldest mower, will have to trace the other end to see if I can get to it. This was Sunday before the storms, did not have time to look.
Also had the check engine light come on on my newest car the same day, busy with that.

 

[TailDragon]

Ordered two tires (only) from CareFree Tires 9x3.5-4 part # TL-9350-4275S on the 3rd, got them on the 6th. These are 2.75 in bead width.( they also have them with 2.5 in bead width) Mounted them today between thunder storms. Appear to be the same size as original tires.Too wet to try them out.
The site shows a tire/ wheel combo that claims to fit our F series but show a 5/8 bore rather the needed 3/4 in bore.
Tires I got were $24.95 apiece plus shipping.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Glad you guys brought this front deck tire problem up. Now I have one on my front that won't hold air. I cut one of the tires and rim up in the past when the wheel assemblt fell off and I ran over it. Bought a tire only and then just bought the tire on the rim to put on so still have the tire on the bench. I to now need to do something about my tire/tires.
TailDragon, are your new tires solid or tube type? Give results after use if solid. Wondering if solid would be harder on the deck than tube type since I do rough areas where front tires turn every direction and even do some plowing and ditching with them.

 

[TailDragon]

These are solid, have about as much give (and size) as an inflated original.
Have about 200 hours on the skinnier Marathon tires (solid) I took off the cheap wheels they came on that are now mounted on the 72 RD.
I tried new tubes, slime, new tubes w/slime before trying solid tires.
Waiting for clear weather to try the latest ones. My usage sounds about like yours.
My first tubed tires lasted about 600 hours before having problems.

 

[Sigarms]

Ordered two tires (only) from CareFree Tires 9x3.5-4 part # TL-9350-4275S on the 3rd, got them on the 6th. These are 2.75 in bead width.( they also have them with 2.5 in bead width) Mounted them today between thunder storms. Appear to be the same size as original tires.Too wet to try them out.
The site shows a tire/ wheel combo that claims to fit our F series but show a 5/8 bore rather the needed 3/4 in bore.
Tires I got were $24.95 apiece plus shipping.

I had checked those out, but I thought they stated they weren't recommended for brush cutting and PTO driven mowers?

 

[TailDragon]

The tire alone does have that disclaimer, recommends a three piece wheel for best performance and shows loads at different speeds.
They also offer a wheel/tire combo that size for commercial mowers. (ULA686508) on a three piece wheel & hub that claims to fit the F series among others.

 

[TailDragon]

Mowed nearly 4 hours with them, so far so good. As rough as the ground is I do not mow that fast and raise the deck when transporting.
Will re-grease the hubs and check the four nuts on the hub/wheel. Got too dark yesterday when I quit. No power in my hanger. Did not have to re-level the mowing deck.

To keep on track with the thread title all pins and retainers are secure.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My one front tire is still "flat" and mowed almost all home property yesterday except for trails. I have a new tire I'd bought a year or two ago, maybe three which I brought home to see what I may do. Yesterday was my third mowing session and never missed a beat as far as I could tell with the steering issue. Believe it's now fixed.
Pondering filling an old cut tire with foam insulation (the kind that gets hard) from a can to see what it will do. I have an old rim and tire that fell off and got cut up by the blades when I ran over it so not much to lose.

 

[TailDragon]

John, on one of the lawnmower/garden tractor forums people have tried that on front tires. The foam apparently does not stand up.
Mowed more this weekend without problems, did pump more grease (moly) into hubs. Got about another 4 hours before the rain. Did not notice any more bounce (from deck) than before.
You are correct that you can mow with the guide tires flat and not see much difference in the tire or mower height. I noticed mine on a sharp turn while checking the lock rings on the front pins.