Tires Front tires plowing the ground
- Thread starter Spiveyman
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RobJ
Elite Member
SPYDERLK said:
But this still isn't going to keep an 8000# tractor with 3 rib tires from cutting up the yard if turning to sharp or going fast.
N80
Super Member
Spiveyman,
Your tractor is fine. Your tires are fine. Turn a little more slowly when turning in the front yard or barn lot if the scuffs bother you.
A just be glad you're not so cheap that you have to resort to using old jeep tires:
Your tractor is fine. Your tires are fine. Turn a little more slowly when turning in the front yard or barn lot if the scuffs bother you.
A just be glad you're not so cheap that you have to resort to using old jeep tires:
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RobJ
Elite Member
N80 said:Spiveyman,
A just be glad you're not so cheap that you have to resort to using old jeep tires:
QUOTE]
OP
Spiveyman
Platinum Member
Ha! That's great. Toe in Vs. toe out... wow, never thought there'd be that much over my little "messing up the field" question, but cool none-the-less.
I don't plan to take the tractor on the road on any regular basis, but just the same, my papaw has a farm 2.5 miles down the road. He's 81. Besides borrowing his post hole digger or some other implement, there may be a day in the future where he could use a hand. I wouldn't want to kiss a tree on the way to his place.
Seems like straight way and slow 'er down is the best bet for me. We've been getting tons of rain (finally) so these days it wouldn't matter if I had monster truck tires on that thing I'd be tearing up the grass. Such is life. In the mush of soft muddy clay, that tri rib deal does get my tractor turning, along with the steering brakes.
Oh, and no worries on the old jeep tires. I'm tight, but not THAT tight!
I don't plan to take the tractor on the road on any regular basis, but just the same, my papaw has a farm 2.5 miles down the road. He's 81. Besides borrowing his post hole digger or some other implement, there may be a day in the future where he could use a hand. I wouldn't want to kiss a tree on the way to his place.
Seems like straight way and slow 'er down is the best bet for me. We've been getting tons of rain (finally) so these days it wouldn't matter if I had monster truck tires on that thing I'd be tearing up the grass. Such is life. In the mush of soft muddy clay, that tri rib deal does get my tractor turning, along with the steering brakes.
Oh, and no worries on the old jeep tires. I'm tight, but not THAT tight!
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
If you ever have the opportunity, take your tractor out for a short drive on a sheet of ice. (We get a couple or three ice storms of greater or lesser degree each winter here on the average) You'll get a better picture of it's inherent handling characteristics. Just about everey tractor I've ever been on, even MFWD's, will tend to want to go straight (to some degree), even with steering input. Some more pronounced than others. They'll turn, but you'll notice the front end wanting to wash or push the front wheels. Same logic applies to a tractor in the dirt/on grass, only much less obvious.
That's why tractors commonly use ribbed tires. Those ribbed tires work in much the same manner as a rudder on a ship. If they WEREN'T digging in a bit, the front end would wash quite a bit more noticabley.
Sharp turns will amplify the effect. To minimize the resulting damage to turf, make more gradual, sweeping turns, learn to apply a very light touch to steering brakes, lower speeds, and make certain the front end is ballasted properly. And then, you know what? You'll still slide a wheel every now and then.
And on a final note. Yesterday, when I stopped at a dealer to pick up a few parts I ordered, I ran into the mechanic from the golf club where I play frequently. While waiting our turn, we got into a discussion about a Kubota mowing tractor they have. He mentioned how difficult it was to "square" the track vs wheel base because of the difficulty getting the front end wide enough. He said they always try to get a tractor almost as wide as it is long, or relatively close to minimize wheels scuffing as the turn. Next year when you're watching the Ryder Cup on TV, take a look at the grass and see what sort of job he did! ('08 Ryder Cup @ Valhalla Golf Club)
That's why tractors commonly use ribbed tires. Those ribbed tires work in much the same manner as a rudder on a ship. If they WEREN'T digging in a bit, the front end would wash quite a bit more noticabley.
Sharp turns will amplify the effect. To minimize the resulting damage to turf, make more gradual, sweeping turns, learn to apply a very light touch to steering brakes, lower speeds, and make certain the front end is ballasted properly. And then, you know what? You'll still slide a wheel every now and then.
And on a final note. Yesterday, when I stopped at a dealer to pick up a few parts I ordered, I ran into the mechanic from the golf club where I play frequently. While waiting our turn, we got into a discussion about a Kubota mowing tractor they have. He mentioned how difficult it was to "square" the track vs wheel base because of the difficulty getting the front end wide enough. He said they always try to get a tractor almost as wide as it is long, or relatively close to minimize wheels scuffing as the turn. Next year when you're watching the Ryder Cup on TV, take a look at the grass and see what sort of job he did! ('08 Ryder Cup @ Valhalla Golf Club)
OP
Spiveyman
Platinum Member
I can't imagine that I'd want to take that thing on a sheet of ice in central KY. It just doesn't get that cold around here any more. But I get your point.
Through all of this discussion I've learned a ton about my tractor and these tires. This summer it wasn't much of a deal on the concrete soil. Now that the rains have come and my field are both over grazed and wet, it's a muddy mess many places. Those tri rib deals do tear up the ground even more, but I found out today how important that grab is in the front end. There were several times today moving round bales where a tire with less traction would have just pushed in a straight line. I could really see the benefit of that center rib digging in to turn my tractor.
I didn't really think to get a picture of the tracs, but noticed this shot when I was going through my pictures tonight. You can see what I'm talking about here. This is on the top of a ridge, so it's not too soft here.
Granted that's also a pretty tight turn, but I was trying to maneuver with the hay and such.
It just doesn't get that cold around here any more. But I get your point.Through all of this discussion I've learned a ton about my tractor and these tires. This summer it wasn't much of a deal on the concrete soil. Now that the rains have come and my field are both over grazed and wet, it's a muddy mess many places. Those tri rib deals do tear up the ground even more, but I found out today how important that grab is in the front end. There were several times today moving round bales where a tire with less traction would have just pushed in a straight line. I could really see the benefit of that center rib digging in to turn my tractor.
I didn't really think to get a picture of the tracs, but noticed this shot when I was going through my pictures tonight. You can see what I'm talking about here. This is on the top of a ridge, so it's not too soft here.
Granted that's also a pretty tight turn, but I was trying to maneuver with the hay and such.
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