Carlisle All Trails vs 127
 

I have decided that the Carlisle All Trail tires most closely resemble the OEM Firestones on my 127. These will suit my purposes just fine. Set up fully loaded with weights and chains.
There are two sizes that are a close match. (23x8-12 and 23x10.5-12) My first thought was that the narrower tire would be more correct until I saw the specs.
If anyone can convince me otherwise I will be choosing the wider tire.

Carlisle specs as follows:

23x8-12 @ 22 psi.
6.5" rim width
23.21" OD
8.41" section width
675 lbs. load rating

23x10.5-12 @ 20 psi.
7.0" rim width
23.08" OD
9.87" section width
835 lbs. load rating

How wide are the rims that you plan to use on your 127? That will determine which width tire will work the best. I always like to run a tire that is 1.5 to 2" wider than the rim that it will be mounted on... I believe that your 127 probably came with a 7" rim... therefore I would mount an 8 to 8.5 wide tire..

I do like the looks of that Carlisle tire... haven't had the chance to try a set yet but I hear good things about them!:beerchug:

I run a set of 23x8-12 on my 782 i like them for mowing the traction is good and they don't seems to chunk the lawn that bad and i have a pretty steep hill.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspss9wgrf.jpg

Agree with jaynjeep.
Wide tires look nice......they take more weight (pounds per square inch foot path) to make up traction loss. You should go to a wider rims than 7 inch. Yes a 7 inch will work on a 10.50 tire. Tire foot print from a 10.50 could be more rounded on 7 inch wide rim.

Do you ever pull a plow? You might compare the plow's width to the tire to help with your decision. I have the All Trail II in a 10.5 on my 169 and it looks great and performs very well, but when I borrowed a friend's plow it was a wider tire than would be ideal. I've only ever plowed once, don't yet own a plow, and it still got the job done, so not a big deal for me, but it may be for you.

Hopefully you are talking a moldboard plow.
I used to have Carlie 23-10-12 Super Lugs tires on my 149. I was having problems breaking pins in the driveshaft when plowing with a 10 inch Brinly moldboard plow. The 149 would hit a hard spot while plowing and break the pin in the driveshaft. I went to Carlie 23-8.50-12 Power Trac tires and haven't broke a pin in the driveshaft since. That has been at least 10 years ago. The wider tire did not sit in the bottom of the furrow like the 8.50 did. The furrow tire was riding on the previous turn soil.

I go to several plow days plus I plow 4-5 gardens a year. I've been plowing with a garden tractor since I was 10. That was 48 years ago.

Yep, I meant a moldboard plow. I have very little experience with using one on a machine this small, and it sounds like I was lucky to not break a pin. Excluding the traction issues from having the wide tires it was fun to try out. These cubs sure are tanks!

Thanks guys,
The wise men have spoken. All great arguments. This is exactly why I came here. You have convinced me that function over "cool looking" prevails.
And thanks John for the pic. It says a thousand words.