Turf Tires VS Ag... anything in between? CC#129
 

I have been thinking a lot about the half worn turf tires on my 129 since I bought it. I get kinda stuck about once a week doing something productive or possibly foolish. We have some hills. So I am considering "agricultural" tires if I can afford them.

The ag tires look so aggressive, and I suppose that when I go to cut my rather rough grass, the ag tires might tear things up a bit. So...

Has anyone tried to find a tire that is kind of "hybrid"? Somewhere inbetween the ag and the turf style?

Money is tight lately, so I might simply find some chains. I am hoping that they might add some woodland and snow traction. Any advice is appreciated!

The cheapest solution is chains with tensioning springs/bungy cords.
Industrial tires are probably 75-125 per tire in that size. They are less aggressive than an AG tire. ( think bobcat tire)
the Ag tire should not tear up your grass but they might make it rough from the ribs. The grass really should only get damaged or torn up when you spin the tires without moving forward on a tractor. Ztr is a different story but they are ok if you make three point turns.
You can also look at mud tires for golf carts or side by side 4 wheelers. I would avoid the ones for quads since they are designed for about 2-4 psi and are very soft
If you are getting stuck on a regular basis. It sounds like to have a drainage issue fixing that should fix the tire issue

This is helpful! Clearly, you have done some tire homework and I while I can fix many thing on my 129, I know very little about tires. I will look into an industrial style and I will also look into chains. Regarding drainage- yes there is a little mud around. But most of the time I get stuck I seem to be on general woods debris, loose dry gravel on a hilly drive, or even just the dry grass at maybe a 15 degree slope. I fitted two 50lbs wheel weights, and they probably help. But they do not fix the problem :

Look into HDAP tires like what comes on some of the newer JD garden tractors. They’re basically an aggressive turf tire.

Carlisle All-trails! Good on the soggy grounds. Didn't need chains when it snowed though chains ARE better.

Attachment 105738

If one is using springs, bungee cords or tensing devices, the chains are installed improperly and cause undue wear on the chains as well as the tires.
Take the time to install them tightly and properly, by shortening the side chains so they are tight without "band-aid" fixes.:beerchug:

That's interesting. I've been using tire chains for 50+ years on cars, pickup trucks, heavy trucks and tractors. I've always used tighteners.
Never had undue wear on the chains or the tires.

To the original poster: I run ag tires on my 125. I've never noticed any damage to the yard due to the tires, but then I don't spin the tires when the ground is soft, and I'm not terribly fussy about my grass either.

If the ground is muddy and you spin ag tires, you will dig up your grass.
BTW, I put tire chains on those ag tires to plow snow in the winter.

I don't use AG tires. Ride too rough.

I use turf tires on banks that are probably twice what Cub recommends you operate on. Maybe 30*? Steep enough to lift the front end.

Body english helps a lot. Not suggesting you do what I do. Just saying..........

Those are some good looking tires.

I've got Carlisle All-Trails on my 169. I like the look of the ag tire, but the All-Trails are great on the lawn on the hill and I don't bother putting my chains on to push snow. I found them online for about $75 each, and my local tire shop quoted me $342 for a pair. Ouch. I filled mine with RV antifreeze and have one set of Cub wheel weights.

If you have a slippery surface or slimey mud, the ag's won't do any better than any other tread style. In other words chains are the best answer.
If you have firm ground, the ag's will do no damage unless you get stupid.
If you have somewhat soft ground the ag's may leave some marks but mostly they just disappear on their own, which would be the same result with chains
Just my opinion based on my experience, yours may vary.

I am in agreement with Ironman. I live in the country so I just don't mow the wet areas until they dry out. I run turf tires on my mowing equipment and if i get too close and start to spin I chain up and drive out. in the winter I run a sgt with foam filled ags, 75# weights a steel sims cab (and my F.A. in the seat) the chains really make the difference winter and summer.

Wow! I'm so glad I asked this question. I feel I need to take a good look at the Carlisle All Trail (yeah, they do look good). And if I can't spring for those this year, I will get by with some well-fitted chains. All of this advice is very helpful!

I have diamond treads on a couple of tractors. My 100 came with them. I think I like standard turf tires more however the diamonds are okay.

To the folks who are enjoying the "Carlisle All Trail" tires: did you choose

23 x 8 x 12" ?

23 x 10.5 x 12 ?

A basic search (like TractorData) seems to indicate that this is the tire size that I am looking for is 23 x 8.5 x 12. But I know that some rims can successfully hold a variety of tire. I will also type "tire size" into the search window, as I am sure that this is a well discussed topic. The Carlisles may not be made in an 8.5.... but I am hoping that the 12 is the most critical number.

Here are the photos I have on hand. I swapped them onto my Original while rebuilding the k341, but I don't have any photos of them on the 169 with me. Other than this one useless one, somehow. I've about got the 169 back together, and I'll try to remember to grab a photo for you. Mine are 10.5 wide, which was the stock size for the 169 but not stock on all the wide frames.Attachment 105766

Attachment 105767

Attachment 105768

My All Trails are the 8's. They replaced the original turfs 8.5's. There was some difficulty getting the stiffer and narrower new tires to seat on the rims. Fortunately, my brother, who runs an automotive service business, had a bead seater.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-30007L-...0388169&sr=8-3

I can't stand turf tires. To me they are ugly as hell regardless of practicality. My choice of tire is 23 degree AG tires. I have a set of turfs on my snow tractor because it's going to get chained up. All the research I've done is that turfs with chains are the best for snow regardless of how ugly they are.

Ag tires are the way to go. They don't damage the yard unless you are driving aggressively on a wet yard. Ive actually done more damage on damp ground with turf tires than the same patch with ag tires.
If you think ag tires ride too rough you have too much air in them or are running a tire that is way beyond the load limit of our tractors. I run 3-5 psi (BKTs) and they ride fine, flex and flatten out under load like a tire should.

chains for now
 

Well spring has sprung, and I bet a lot of folks are tearing into their tractors making improvements. I know this is old, but I wanted to say that in order to get through winter in a thrifty way I DID buy some chains with a high number of "cross members" or whatever you call them. They came with a four spring tensioning device that looked pretty well designed, and so I did two things:

I shortened the chains until they had very little play (cold chisel, hammer, rock)

Then I also added the included tensioner.

This way I felt that I used advice from two helpful contributors to the thread. When I can afford the Carlisle All Trails, I think I am sure to get them. We will see if the chains do much damage to our very basic lawn. I have attached pics- one is my ten year old son driving uphill. He cares nothing for tractors, but he did appreciate the power of the CC! We were hauling out firewood that I had cut earlier in the week. Cheers!