Can I Run 18x6.50-8 Front Tires On My 1440?
 

Hey Guys,

I need new tires for the front of my trusty 1440 – 16x6.50-8 is the stock size, and I would be fine replacing them with the same, but I wanted to ask if 18x6.50-8 tires will fit without rubbing? And if they will, will they affect anything regarding the mowing deck? I assume I would have to adjust the mowing height of the deck to account for the larger tire diameter, but would I also have to adjust any of the deck brackets to account for the deck being approx. 1” higher in the front than it would be with the stock 16” tires?

And what brand/type of tires do you guys suggest? I’ll just be mowing with the tractor, so I certainly don’t need any AG tires, even though they look cool! The tractor has an excellent set of Cub Cadet-branded turf tires on the rear, so I will most likely just match them up with similar tires in front, e.g., Carlisle Turf Masters or the equivalent. I do like the v61 tire, but I don’t know if I like them enough to pay the difference…

Thanks in advance for the info!

I ran 18 x 8.5s on my 1450 that had a 1641 front axle and spindles in it. I think that is the same axle as the 1440. I had to run the rims backwards (valve stem on inside) to clear the steering arm, but everything else cleared, including the 50" deck. I would think the 6.5 wide tires would fit no problem.

I do not know about mower clearance, but, I like the look of my 18x6.50's :bigthink:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...008640x359.jpg

And I really needed the extra inch of ground clearance!! :bigeyes:

Way better than the 16x6.50's

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...096640x427.jpg

Can I ask why you want to change size?.....

Solely for aesthetics – no other reason.

My reason was not looks, but functionality. A larger diameter tire "rolls over" rough terrain better than a smaller diameter.

My tractor is "off lawn" 90% of the time. :biggrin2:

The larger tires worked much better for me. I had a 451 blower on the front, and noticed a big improvement with the larger tires.

It's your tractor and your $$$ but if it was me I'd stick to the stock size.

^^ What he said! :biggrin2: