tire choice

Bulldog160 · Sep 25, 2006

Does anyone know of a reason why you can't use ATV tires on tractors?

If I want to replace my tires that are 26x12.00-12 I don't see why I can't use tires listed for an ATV. This would offer different tread options and the ply rating is either equal or greater.

Any thoughts on this pro or against would be appreciated.

milkman · Sep 25, 2006

The thought has also crossed my mind, but then there's the question of load rating so I'm still wondering.

Billy_S · Sep 25, 2006

All 26X1200-12 tires I am aware of are either bar tread (ag type) or turf tread. I am unaware of any ATV tire in that size.

npaden · Sep 25, 2006

The tires on my ATV are very lightweight and maybe 4 ply. The tires on my tractor are 12 ply and heavy duty. Even if they fit I can't imagine an ATV tire holding up to the rigors of tractor duty.

Bulldog160 · Sep 25, 2006

Many atv tires come in this size. Link at bottom has a few.

I can see where it would be a problem on the bigger tractors but the compact and sub-compact should be fine. My rear tires right now are only 4 ply on a JD 2210

The new JD tractors offer a HDAP tire which is an atv tire that are also on the Gators.

CR Tire - ATV tires Lawn tires Trailer tires

CRTire - Search Results

npaden · Sep 25, 2006

I just don't see how a 400 lb ATV and a 4,000 lb tractor could or should use the same tire. Maybe on the subcompact tractors, but my tractor is classified as a compact and I can't imagine running ATV tires on it.

RobJ · Sep 26, 2006

npaden said:
I just don't see how a 400 lb ATV and a 4,000 lb tractor could or should use the same tire. Maybe on the subcompact tractors, but my tractor is classified as a compact and I can't imagine running ATV tires on it.

I looked up your 2210 and it's a pretty small tractor, I don't see any reason why not if it gets mostly lawn duty. Stick a set of Mud-Lites on it and take some pictures!!

daTeacha · Sep 26, 2006

There might be differences in the rim in the bead area (where the tire mounts to it) that would prevent use of the wrong type of tire, too. Manufacturers tend to do what they can to keep from being sued because they didn't make something impossible and someone got hurt.

Billy_S · Sep 26, 2006

I looked it up in the Carlisle book, which I should have done before I posted. I stand corrected.

As long as the tires are the same ply rating, or the tires you put on have a higher ply rating than OE, I can't see why it wouldn't work.

If you would like, I would be willing to call Carlisle for you and see what they have to say. There might be some performance issues to consider, other than load carrying capacity, that I am not aware of. That's what they have engineers for, to answer those types of questions.

Bulldog160 · Sep 26, 2006

Billy,
If you want to call Carlisle I'd be happy to hear their take on it.

I do a lot of loader work w/ the 2210 as well as mowing. This year I will be plowing snow with it. That is the reason I'm looking to get new tires. I currently have turfs and want something with a little more "bite" w/o going to a full fledged bar style tire.

I just put in a new back lawn and found several times that I couldve used a more aggressive tire while pulling the york rake and box scraper. There were times I had to put in 4wd to get traction when a different tire would have made all the difference.

Billy_S · Sep 26, 2006

I just called. Their product service guy is already gone for the day. I left a message for him to call me. The order desk, no surprise, couldn't answer my question.

I really do think we need to look into this before you do it. The more I think about it the more I have a hunch there is going to be a very good reason why it shouldn't be done.

dirtworksequip · Sep 26, 2006

What kind of wear are you going to get out of the ATV tires? I would think that they would be a softer rubber.

Billy_S · Sep 27, 2006

Carlisle called me back. He said that most ATV tires are designed for low inflation and low load conditions. IOW, they are designed to carry a 600 pound ATV at 7 PSI rather than a 1800 pound tractor at 24 PSI. However, according to him, if you can find a suitable ATV tire that will carry the load of your tractor, there is no reason you can't do it.

So there you go. Go for it.

john_bud · Sep 27, 2006

Bulldog,

Why not go to the tractor tire store and look around at the options for "real tractor tires"? Or the internet. There are lots of options, but they may be too large for your machine?

If you want to go ATV route, look at tires that are on the JD Gator, Kawasaki Mule, Polaris Ranger, and Kubota RTV. They should have the load capacity you need. Of course, they may still come off the rim first time you turn the wheel with a full bucket....

jb

daTeacha · Sep 27, 2006

I think you might want to let a full service tire place get into this. Around here Millersburg Tire handles tires for everything from motorcycles to big tractors and the semi's that can carry them. I think they have a website, but you'll need to Google them.

Something no one has mentioned is that the tires should have the load/pressure capacity embossed on them somewhere. Go with that more than the ply rating, although the ply rating is important, too.

BTDT · Sep 28, 2006

Isn't a tractor just an atv on steroids?

Bulldog160 · Sep 28, 2006

Thanks Billy. That makes perfect sense.

I'm leaning towards the HDAP tires that JD puts on the Gators. There is really no concern as they put these on their Sub-Cuts and X series.