Wheel Weights for LTX 1042 for hill stability?

[bms259]

Hi!

I'm new around here and have found all kinds helpful info. Thanks!

We just recently moved into a new home, coming from small yard of perfectly flat ground to about an acre of relatively hilly ground. I have an LTX 1042 that worked pretty well for our old flat yard, but isn't doing so well on the new hillier land. Most of my neighbors have 4x4 Kubotas and John Deeres, but I can't afford to a tractor like that, so I'm try to make the Cub Cadet last.

I'm planning to add windshield washer fluid to all four tires, and I'm thinking about adding chains or maybe changing the tires altogether.

But I'm also thinking about adding wheel weights too. I see there are some 62 lbs weights that should fit my tractor . . . but I don't see any place to attach them. How would I go about attaching the wheel weights?

Any and all advice is greatly greatly appreciated!

[J-Mech]

That tractor was not designed for wheel weights.

You could use chains. I personally think chains are a pain. I only use them if necessary, and only in the snow. I did moldboard plow with chains on one time. Took forever to clean them up.

Putting fluid in the front tires won't gain you much of anything. Couple pounds on the front. Not really anything of consequence.

Go to lug (tractor) tires on the rear, and fill them with fluid. It will make a bigger difference than you think. I don't know what size tires are on the LTX tractors, and I'm not real interested in looking it up. *Usually* you have some choices on tread.

Honestly, if this new property is very hilly..... you probably just need a tractor better suited for it. The LTX isn't much of anything but a flat yard lawn tractor. Probably better to jump up to a GT or a commercial ZTR.

[bms259]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

That tractor was not designed for wheel weights.

That's unfortunate. I saw on this link it was http://lawnandgarden.manualsonline.c.../ltx_1042.html

I thought I would just need to drill a hole in the rim to bolt the wheel weights on.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You could use chains. I personally think chains are a pain. I only use them if necessary, and only in the snow. I did moldboard plow with chains on one time. Took forever to clean them up.

The chains do seem like a pain, and I don't really wan to tear up my yard or our driveway.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Putting fluid in the front tires won't gain you much of anything. Couple pounds on the front. Not really anything of consequence.

I didn't figure it'd help much - but I'm just thinking "Why not?" I'm not used to come up a hill, and keep having this uneasy feeling that the tractor is going to just straight tip backwards. I know it's unlikely, but that's what I was thinking of adding fluid to the front. Maybe I'll find it's too much of a pain and just stick with the rear.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Go to lug (tractor) tires on the rear, and fill them with fluid. It will make a bigger difference than you think. I don't know what size tires are on the LTX tractors, and I'm not real interested in looking it up. *Usually* you have some choices on tread.

The tires are 20x8.00x8. Most of what I've found in my research so far has been variations on the turf tires it already has. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Run-Turf-L...rds=20x8+tires

I haven't any good ag tires online, but might not be looking in the right place.

My neighbor has some pretty sweet looking HDAP tires on his John Deere.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Honestly, if this new property is very hilly..... you probably just need a tractor better suited for it. The LTX isn't much of anything but a flat yard lawn tractor. Probably better to jump up to a GT or a commercial ZTR.

I would love to be able to upgrade, but that's not in the cards for a number of years, unless I can happen across something used for a great price.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it!

[J-Mech]

I don't know what the 31lb weights are, but they are not listed as a rear wheel weight. Only thing the Cub Cadet parts site shows is a rear weight bracket kit, that uses suitcase weights. Perhaps that's what it is.

You can go up to a 20X10X8 tire and you will find lugs. Little wider than your originals, but they will go on the rim. Just make sure that a slightly wider tire won't hit your mower deck.

You should mow on the side of a hill, not up and down. If the hill is steep enough you think it may flip over backwards, then it's probably too steep for your small lawn tractor.

[SS5150]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You should mow on the side of a hill, not up and down. If the hill is steep enough you think it may flip over backwards, then it's probably too steep for your small lawn tractor.

I'm agreeing with this, if you think it could flip, it's too dangerous whether you have weights on it or not.

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You can go up to a 20X10X8 tire and you will find lugs. Little wider than your originals, but they will go on the rim. Just make sure that a slightly wider tire won't hit your mower deck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-20x10-00-8...oAAOxylwpR5FRr

[Leadslingingdaddy]

Here's what ya need...

[bms259]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I don't know what the 31lb weights are, but they are not listed as a rear wheel weight. Only thing the Cub Cadet parts site shows is a rear weight bracket kit, that uses suitcase weights. Perhaps that's what it is.

This is the part
http://www.mtdparts.com/equipment/mtdparts/oem-190-215

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You can go up to a 20X10X8 tire and you will find lugs. Little wider than your originals, but they will go on the rim. Just make sure that a slightly wider tire won't hit your mower deck.

It looks like a wider tire won't fit due to the wheel on the right side of the mower deck. If I remove that, a wider wheel would probably fit.

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You should mow on the side of a hill, not up and down. If the hill is steep enough you think it may flip over backwards, then it's probably too steep for your small lawn tractor.

Thanks. I always heard the best way to mow a hill on a tractor was up and down. It's not so steep that I think the mower could actually flip over backwards. It just feel a little eery since I'm use to a flat yard.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[bms259]

Originally Posted by SS5150

I'm agreeing with this, if you think it could flip, it's too dangerous whether you have weights on it or not.

Intellectually, I don't think it'll flip. But I'm not used to the hill, so it's just makes me feel a little uneasy.

There *are* a few spots that are too dangerous to cut with my tractor, without question. I use the push mower for those spots, or the trimmer.

[bms259]

Originally Posted by zippy1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-20x10-00-8...oAAOxylwpR5FRr

Thanks! Those look great - but I don't think I have the clearance to go any wider, unfortunately. The wheel on the mower deck on the right (discharge) side has barely any clearance as it is now.