Front end ag tires
 

Just ordered ags for front and back. The tractor (1650) will see duty as a snow plow, mower, and pulling a cart. My big question is what tread direction should the front ags be in? With the rear it's obvious, but the front has different dynamics. The force on the tire comes from the front since the wheel is being pushed. Also when turning, you would want the side of the lug engaging the turf. Ponder this and share your wisdom fellow forum members.

I am sure many will think I am nuts.....but if you want the front to "float" put the tread running backwards. I do this on my ATV trailer and it helps in the snow when hauling wood. But like you said, if you want it to dig and and aid in steering, especially if your using a snow plow.....then frontwards for sure.

You gotta post some pictures of these, I think they will look very cool once you get them mounted.

Ags are made to be powered, not for just holding weight. When powered, ags will dig into the ground to gain traction and clean out the mud and snow that stays on them.

Since you are using them on the front, the only thing they will be doing is steering and holding weight. If you would be using them to brake with, then I would for sure put them on backwards, but these cubs have no front brakes.

Personally, I do not think it really matters which way you put them on. If you do not like it, it is an easy swap from right and left and you will have switched the direction they are facing.

Those look SWEET on your tractor Bill....Any action shots of your ag's??

Thanks Wild Bill for making a great contribution to our pool of knowledge. You've confirmed exactly what I was thinking. I'll put my front ags on backwards also.

Here's a pic of a 1250, I used to own. It had front ags, but they weren't mounted backwards.

http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/r..._0280Small.jpg

I pefer tri ribs tires om the front of my Cubs. I have 2 different styles;
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...de/rib0408.jpg
149 in action pushing snow:
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/snow0811.jpg

I have tried the ag, bar tires backwards and frontwards for snow plowing and was not happy. the problem is ags are not dasigned to work well when free wheeling( not powered ). Getting traction in the snow is all about how many edges a tread pattern has. If you look at a really good winter tire for cars, the tread may resemble an bar type design but there are many grooves and sips. It is the grooves and sips that grab ahold of the snow giving you traction. A grooved ag tire would work great for us. I think the carlisle snowhog or this one would be a better choice for snow traction or steering.I am going to try the xtrac this year.

https://www.tiresavings.com/tires/xtrac.jpg

I don't understand how guys lose traction moving snow. Do you all use some special aluminum blade? Mine are 42 inch heavy duty steel made by IH and light on the front end is someone else's problem. Certainly not mine. And IH snow blowers weigh even more. I really don't understand. If you are talking ice, even an M60 tank can lose traction.

I use the same blade that you use. The front of my Cub will sometimes push sideways when I have the blade angled. The snow is usually a heavy-wet type of snow. It doesn't take much for the wide turfs to push sideways.