1882 Project Super Size Me!

[garydee]

I too would advise against using 8 ply tires on a garden tractor. There are NO SPRINGS on these tractors to cushion your butt. Unless you have an air ride seat you are making a BIG mistake!

No ground surface is so smooth that you won't feel like you are being jarred with those tires. To let you know how serious this can be, I will tell you about a time when I was rolling my lawn, going this way and that to smooth it out. After a little while, I had to stop to go to the bathroom and when I did, I was peeing blood! I had to see a urologist to be treated for a damaged urethra, which was no fun, especially when the doctor shoved that cystoscope you know where to check things out.

I put no more than 10 psi in my rear tires and I now have an "air ride" seat. It consists of an old front tire tube from my tractor with a little bit of air in it to support me with my groin in the center of the tube (where the hole is) to keep the "vitals" off the seat. The tube is held on the seat under a nice Cub Cadet seat cover. I simply can't be in that seat without having the tube on it now. Since then there have been no problems!

Listen to those members on the OCC site who have more knowledge and experience than you have at this time, or you will probably be sorry before long! Experience is a great teacher that takes a considerable amount of time (and pain) to develop, as you may soon find out!!

[fried]

Originally Posted by garydee

I too would advise against using 8 ply tires on a garden tractor. There are NO SPRINGS on these tractors to cushion your butt. Unless you have an air ride seat you are making a BIG mistake!

No ground surface is so smooth that you won't feel like you are being jarred with those tires. To let you know how serious this can be, I will tell you about a time when I was rolling my lawn, going this way and that to smooth it out. After a little while, I had to stop to go to the bathroom and when I did, I was peeing blood! I had to see a urologist to be treated for a damaged urethra, which was no fun, especially when the doctor shoved that cystoscope you know where to check things out.

I put no more than 10 psi in my rear tires and I now have an "air ride" seat. It consists of an old front tire tube from my tractor with a little bit of air in it to support me with my groin in the center of the tube (where the hole is) to keep the "vitals" off the seat. The tube is held on the seat under a nice Cub Cadet seat cover. I simply can't be in that seat without having the tube on it now. Since then there have been no problems!

Listen to those members on the OCC site who have more knowledge and experience than you have at this time, or you will probably be sorry before long! Experience is a great teacher that takes a considerable amount of time (and pain) to develop, as you may soon find out!!

Ouch! Seems pretty serious. I ordered another tube to go in my leaking down tire turf for the time being until I regroup on this. The other is still holding air at pressure.

[Oak]

I have 8 ply Firestone 23* tires on one of my 982's that I use for plowing and I don't notice any difference in the ride. I got a super deal on them on Ebay but I did have to take them to a tire store to get mounted because I couldn't do it.

[garydee]

Oak, I'm guessing that you don't notice a difference because when plowing, you are on a smooth surface. Most lawns have bumps and uneven surfaces.

My driveway is perfectly smooth so no problem plowing with loaded R4 tires. Going over the rough area of my lawn in back or through a field, well the those loaded tires are less forgiving. Have to go a bit slower to avoid jarring. Hard tires = a hard ride, unless of course happen to have your own seat cushion built in!

[Oak]

Gary, down south we don't plow our driveways we only plow our gardens. That is what I was referring to.

[garydee]

That's right Oak! I remember now that you are north of Atlanta Georgia, so you wouldn't see much snow.

On another note...sure wish I was able to get those parts for the power steering that you so generously offered. Oh well...you tried, but the postal service dropped the ball on that.

I lost faith in the US postal service ever since I gave my mail carrier a $20 gift card for a local coffee shop. Turns out that she had someone sub for her the day I left it in the mail box. When I asked if she got the gift, she replied, no. She checked with the sub who remembered picking up the Christmas card with the gift card in it and she said, I don't know what happened to it, it's gone! I think she stole it...

From that point on I personally hand my mail carrier whatever gift I give them.

Have a great time plowing your garden this year Oak!

[fried]

Now I'm torn between the two. I'm going with a tube in my old dry rotted tire for now but, I really wish I had another set of wheels so I could try out both options!

I ordered V61's from Miller Tire for the front in the proper size 18x8.5.
Ordered hub adapters from Xtreme motor works.
Ordered new front 8x7 wheels from Northern Tool.

All of that should be arriving within the week.

[fried]

Well, my rear tube got lost in the mail. I have another one on the way, should be in by this weekend. I'm ready to get it installed so I can go wash the tractor to start my search for leak sources.

My new front tires came in yesterday and the wheels are arriving today. I'll be able to get them mounted and then I'll just be waiting on my hubs to show up.

Pictures: Showing leak from steeting hoses dripping down onto deck
Picture: 18x8.50-8 V61 front tires

[ol'George]

When front wheels arrive, make sure they fit before you mount the tires.
Not only back spacing, but axle length also,not all wheels are created alike.
I hope the tires are not 6 ply
2 ply works well at 5 to 6 pounds inflation for me, as it provides a nice soft ride.
Your mileage will differ.

[fried]

Originally Posted by ol'George

When front wheels arrive, make sure they fit before you mount the tires.
Not only back spacing, but axle length also,not all wheels are created alike.
I hope the tires are not 6 ply
2 ply works well at 5 to 6 pounds inflation for me, as it provides a nice soft ride.
Your mileage will differ.

The tires are 6 ply. I have the same tires in 6 ply on my other garden tractors, except for 16 vs 18 and no issues with the ply rating.

Hubs scheduled to deliver this week. Can't wait to see how they fit up.