rib vs turf tire - what's the diff?

[5030tinkerer]

I have a Rhino Turf Flex 11' mower - RHINO | Finish Mowers | Flex Finish Mowers | Turf Flex. The sidewall got cut on one of the larger 26x12.00-12 rib tires. Is there some benefit to the rib tire vs a turf tire - either generally or in this application?

New rib tire (4 ply) is about $100. New turf tire (6 ply) is about $120. Of course, I can get a 2 ply turf tire for $50.

Upshot - I am tempted to get a 6 ply turf tire to help out with losing another tire to a cut, especially since I can't find a 6 ply rib tire.


Thoughts?

 

[greg_g]

The difference is turf damage. What you're calling rib type will leave tire impressions in the grass, particularly in wet/soft turf. If the ribs or lugs are aggressive enough, they can even tear up the sod. Proper turf tires are designed specifically to avoid that kind of damage.

But the ply ratings you've mentioned won't help protect against sidewall damage. Those are only tread ratings, where the rubber meets the grass so to speak. Many of them still only have 2 sidewall plies. What you're looking for is a tire with more sidewall plies. Unfortunately, turf tires often rely on flexible (2-ply) sidewalls as part of the flex that minimizes turf damage. Turf tires with 4 or more plies may be available to you, but I doubt they'll be inexpensive.

But looking at the Rhino link you provided makes me want to ask which tire(s) you want replaced (?) The big ones are considered ribbed. They're load bearing. The little ones are turf type. They're just gauge wheels. Which one(s) got the sidewall sliced?

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[5030tinkerer]

I figured the difference might be turf damage, so was surprised to see the ribbed tires come OEM from Rhino. Perhaps they needed the 4 ply rating on them to support the considerable weight of the unit?

One of the big ones somehow got its sidewall sliced.

 

[Mace Canute]

Just a thought, but I would replace the tire with an identical tire simply for the elimination of any difference in cutting heights caused by the possible difference in exact rolling radii of a 4 ply rib tire versus a 6 ply turf tire plus, it just plain looks better to have tires with the same tread pattern!

 

[5030tinkerer]

That's a good point...I could replace both of them with 2 ply turf tires for the cost of the one 4 ply ribbed, though, and wouldn't have one five year old tire and one new. I HAVE noticed that the ribbed tires leave indentions in the earth on the wetter days. If the two ply tire could handle the load AND not leave indentions, that certainly has some merit. The concern is whether the two ply tire would just get punctured and that'd be it.

I don't have a feel for whether a two ply tire is necessarily half as puncture resistant as a four ply (i.e. whether there are differences in rubber thickness, makeup, etc.).

 

[greg_g]

I don't have a feel for whether a two ply tire is necessarily half as puncture resistant as a four ply (i.e. whether there are differences in rubber thickness, makeup, etc.).

Again, the primary purpose of additional plies is not puncture resistance - but is to support additional weight. Presumably your question involves replacing one or both ribbed tires, not the smaller turf tires.

That unit folds up for transport; the outboard decks swing up and inboard, the rear deck lifts up and forward. When that happens, nearly the entire weight of the unit is on that ribbed pair. That means whatever you buy to replace them must be rated to support the weight of the entire unit. If it weighs a ton, you have two tires that will support no less than half a ton each. How much weight the tires will be required to support will determine the number of plies used in the construction. How much weight they'll support is printed on the sidewall of the tire. Read what it says on those ribbed ones, buy replacements- ribbed or turf - that will support an equal or greater weight.

If you're worried about punctures, you should be considering sealant - not plies. I use that green slime in mine, it works like a charm. Slime Tube and Tire Sealant - NEW Slime Pro Tubeless Bicycle Sealant

//greg//