Tires Tires Revisited and Caution and Alternative to Reversed Wheels

[catsco]

TIRES REVISITED:

Here is a side-by-side photo of my worn out OEM Carlisle Super Lug tire (520 hours; used on our rocky decomposed granite 'soil') next to the new Carlisle Tru Power tire that I purchased from Tire Wholesaler Selling Tires for ATV and Trailers.

The price was the same for the Super Lug and the Tru Power. Delivered, the total cost was $145.68, more than I would have thought - $72.84 each, but much less than the lowest local price of $93.00 + tax each.

I received them in about three days. Local suppliers said they would need about 5-7 business days for the higher price!

CAUTION:

The caution is that (as you can see in the picture) the Tru Power is nearly 1" NARROWER than the Super Lug OEM tire, and 1-1/4" TALLER. Both are 23 x 10.50-12. The Tru Power is 4 ply rated, as is the Super Lug OEM.

Practically speaking, the difference in width and height (only increase ride height by 3/4") should make no difference, as the diameter of the worn fronts and not-so-worn rear tires differs by that nearly that amount.

One ADVANTAGE of the narrower width is that my tire chair probably won't take so much paint off the side of the PT! the 1" decrease in overall track is negligible IMHO.

ALTERNATIVE TO REVERSED WHEELS:

If you were to fit a 9" x 8" x 1-1/2" solid plate between the wheel motor and PT frame with longs high strength bolts, a wider track would be achieved and the overall weight would only be increased by 30.625 lbs per corner, a total of 122.5 lbs.

If the plates were a 'ring' rather than solid, the weight gain would be less.

I may try a 1" thickness as I have access to some material that needs minimal work.

The cost of this, of course, might be greater than the real or imagined decreased tire to failure of wheel bearings as has been discussed at some length!

What do you think?

Regards,
Mark H.

 

[woodlandfarms]

On these tires, I was just looking at the site and only saw ATV 6 Ply tires. I love the tread on those, wonder if they would work (26 . 12. 12) are my tire size.

On your note about extending out the wheel motors. A couple of things.

I am no longer conviced the tub that holds our tractor together is well designed. I would tie the bottom of your 1" metal box all the way across the bottom of the tractor (from the left side to the right side). This would take a lot of the stress off the tub.

Finally, factor in hose length.. New hoses cost $$$ and are a bear to run (having replaced all but one of my 3/4" hoses)

Oh One other thing. I have both Super Lug and Tru Power. I put the Tru Power on the inside and the super lug on the outside. I figure my balance from tipping is in the outsides and my traction on the insides. but oddly, for me, the Tru Power feel / look less tall than the Super Lugs...

Carl

 

[catsco]

That may be true (your Tru Lug diameter being smaller) - tire sizes are sometimes as much as a mystery as my size 9 slippers, size 12 shoes, size 15-16 socks, and size 10 boots, which are all the same size.

 

[J_J]

On these tires, I was just looking at the site and only saw ATV 6 Ply tires. I love the tread on those, wonder if they would work (26 . 12. 12) are my tire size.

On your note about extending out the wheel motors. A couple of things.

I am no longer conviced the tub that holds our tractor together is well designed. I would tie the bottom of your 1" metal box all the way across the bottom of the tractor (from the left side to the right side). This would take a lot of the stress off the tub.

Finally, factor in hose length.. New hoses cost $$$ and are a bear to run (having replaced all but one of my 3/4" hoses)

Oh One other thing. I have both Super Lug and Tru Power. I put the Tru Power on the inside and the super lug on the outside. I figure my balance from tipping is in the outsides and my traction on the insides. but oddly, for me, the Tru Power feel / look less tall than the Super Lugs...

Carl

Carl,

Even if your tires have a different diameter when inflated, from different manufactures, there is a way to make sure they are both putting the same amount of tire on the ground. Raise both wheels off the ground, and take a fiberglass or cloth tape measure and measure the center of the tread around the circumference. If the smaller tire is at the correct inflation pressure, let some air out of the larger tire to match the smaller tire circumference, and then they will be equal.

 

[catsco]

On your note about extending out the wheel motors. A couple of things.

I am no longer convinced the tub that holds our tractor together is well designed. I would tie the bottom of your 1" metal box all the way across the bottom of the tractor (from the left side to the right side). This would take a lot of the stress off the tub.

Finally, factor in hose length.. New hoses cost $$$ and are a bear to run (having replaced all but one of my 3/4" hoses)
Carl

You are absolutely right! Thanks for talking me out of spending a lot of $$$$$!!

 

[woodlandfarms]

I wasn't trying to talk you out of it;-) This is a project you should do. You got the metal, its just hoses... do it do it do it... Your wife won't care...

 

[catsco]

I wasn't trying to talk you out of it;-) This is a project you should do. You got the metal, its just hoses... do it do it do it... Your wife won't care...

Gosh, Carl, usually you're not wrong three times in one sentence!