Rear turf tires, is there a down side to running front ag tires on a 4x4

[buickanddeere]

So you're saying changing only the front tires to ag's from turfs will substantially increase traction?

Saying it's not ?

 

[case310350]

tractor is 4wd. Guess will stay with turf tires, I am concerned about the diameter of the tire, if its off will put stress on the drive train. But I would think ag tires would give much better traction in snow

 

[pmsmechanic]

tractor is 4wd. Guess will stay with turf tires, I am concerned about the diameter of the tire, if its off will put stress on the drive train. But I would think ag tires would give much better traction in snow

Here's what I did. On my 4410 I replaced my 27x8.5x15 turfs with 26x12x12 for more flotation and traction. If you shop around you can find a 26 inch tire that's the same height as the factory 27x8.5x15 Titan tires that the tractor came with. If you watch what you buy you can find a peanut style tread that will give you more traction on snow that any other kind of tire. I have no problems running out of power long before I run out of traction pushing snow on a cold day with my front end loader. This is without any tire chains or added ballast.

I bought new 12" rims from John Deere with the correct bolt pattern for my 4410. They were off of a mower and I found them by looking through the John Deere parts books. I but them in two and made the rims an inch wider. Next time I would go two inches but I thought I needed to play it safe. I went through several sets of front tires before I caught on that you could buy them on 6 ply ratings. This last set has lasted a lot longer.

Right now I'm using a Carlisle Turf Trac R/S

 

[Zebrafive]

Here's what I did. On my 4410 I replaced my 27x8.5x15 turfs with 26x12x12 for more flotation and traction. If you shop around you can find a 26 inch tire that's the same height as the factory 27x8.5x15 Titan tires that the tractor came with. If you watch what you buy you can find a peanut style tread that will give you more traction on snow that any other kind of tire. I have no problems running out of power long before I run out of traction pushing snow on a cold day with my front end loader. This is without any tire chains or added ballast.

I bought new 12" rims from John Deere with the correct bolt pattern for my 4410. They were off of a mower and I found them by looking through the John Deere parts books. I but them in two and made the rims an inch wider. Next time I would go two inches but I thought I needed to play it safe. I went through several sets of front tires before I caught on that you could buy them on 6 ply ratings. This last set has lasted a lot longer.

Right now I'm using a Carlisle Turf Trac R/SView attachment 474554

My only worry, about what you did, is if the wheels you bought were lighter gauge metal than what they replaced. Since you have a loader. If not great idea!

 

[pmsmechanic]

My only worry, about what you did, is if the wheels you bought were lighter gauge metal than what they replaced. Since you have a loader. If not great idea!

Good point but in about 2000 when I did this I didn't even consider the gauge of the metal. I don't think I need to worry about it any more.

The sharp ones here will realize that 4410's weren't even out in 2000. These rims spent a few years on my 955 before I bought the 4410.

 

[motownbrowne]

tractor is 4wd. Guess will stay with turf tires, I am concerned about the diameter of the tire, if its off will put stress on the drive train. But I would think ag tires would give much better traction in snow

In deep snow, yes ags will be much much better. On packed snow and ice, though, turfs will be better.

Personally, I'd keep the turfs and put chains on in the winter.

 

[AxleHub]

On my subcompact I was concerned about traction in our western WI winters as our driveway is concrete and fairly steep and long. I needed turfs for tje lawn and I'd read many acvounts about bar tires not being good in snow and ice and ag tires being good in mud and deep snow (more than 6 inches).

This winter I didvquite a bit of plowing with the gc1715 with my bucket and an adfon product. I was stunned just how good my traction wad with my turfs both on the driveway, steeper part too, and out in the lawn witj 4 to 6 inches of snow on tje lawn. Tjink of it tjis way . . turfs give you a large quantity of "finger grabs" in the snow . . So you gain traction in wider surfaces. Ag tires may be deep cutting . . But they disturb the snow a great deal . . Instead of riding over it. I thought sure I'd need chains but never had a need for them.

Just my story . . size of tractor and types of surface will make big differences. Also . . I have a diff lock which helps under certain conditions too.