Tire recommendation on 1450 needed

EricWww · #1 08-04-2016, 08:00 PM

Got a tire question- first I'm sure the "high floation" tires on my 1450 are the original ones from the late 70s. I don't recall my parents ever replacing it. The fronts are the smooth ribbed ones, the back ones look like turf tires. The ground was a little damp the other night and the traction was horrible with the rear wheels just spinning. However, that was out of the ordinary I usually would not mow when it's wet out.

I'm considering replacing the tires- they don't look "that bad" as no splitting was noticeable and the rears have plenty of tread but both front and rear are somewhat hard. This was only used for lawn mowing and will continue to be used for that purpose- no tilling or other earth moving use. Also the lawn is fairly flat, no huge ruts or other weird terrain. I *may* do snow plowing with the plow but i'd get the tire chains and wheel weights too.

Tire specs:
Front 16 x 6.50-8
Rear 23 x 8.5-12

I'm planning to keep using them and perhaps replace next year- from my steering thread- it was recommended to use narrower tires for better tracking and less steering effort.

I'm considering these tires- Carlisle Turf Master Lawn & Garden Tire both front and rear- seem to get good reviews.

1) Are my original, likely almost 40 year old tires still good? I was reading how ag/tractor tires last ALOT longer than street tires.

2) Are these tires good for my needs?

3) Should I stick with the OEM sizes or should I bother resizing?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O5WKX6...41MZYT47&psc=1

rocker582special · #2 08-04-2016, 09:04 PM

You can also use 23x10.5x12 tires on the back also. Ag tires help with traction but the can also leave grooves if the ground is soft when mowing. Your turf tires will be fine even though they are very old. You can put chains on them for plowing snow too.

TheSaturnV · #3 08-04-2016, 09:57 PM

I've bought several pairs of these BKT L306 series turf tires for my tractors. They are heavy 6-ply construction, vs 4 and even 2-ply for most everything else on the market. Very competitively priced.

ol'George · #4 08-04-2016, 10:07 PM

May I suggest to load the rear tires with fluid of your choice.
This makes a tremendous difference in traction and costs little.

Yosemite Sam · #5 08-04-2016, 10:20 PM

ol'George beat me to it. Any of my tractors that get a blade in the winter also get loaded turfs and 2 link chains. The loaded turfs and chains stay on all year long. Most that get a blade in the winter, also get a mower deck in the summer.

I really think I like the 8.5's better for pushing snow, I feel like I get better traction with them than the wider tires.

TheSaturnV · #6 08-04-2016, 11:37 PM

What fluid do you use Yosemite?

ol'George · #7 08-05-2016, 08:24 AM

If I may reply,
A lot of fellows just use windshield washer fluid, RV antifreeze or used vehicle antifreeze.
Calcium chloride is also used but it needs to be used in a tubed tire to protect the rim better and is very corrosive (it is also heavier @ about #11 per gallon vs about #8 for antifreeze.)
All my big farm tractors are loaded with Chloride.
There is also a beet pulp made from sugar beets and is non corrosive but a little harder to get in non rural areas.

EricWww · #8 08-05-2016, 10:04 AM

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll get the adaptor to fill the tires with fluid and try it out. Too bad I just recycled anti-freeze from my car that would have been perfect!
Also your recommendations echo this page I read online: http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/...luids-rundown/

J-Mech · #9 08-05-2016, 10:39 AM

Around here, we have a very good group of guys with a wealth of information. While I appreciate that your one of the few who is doing some research, we pretty much trust each other. Outside sites information doesn't really interest us. But, research as you see fit. I suggest you settle to get your information from us..... no one knows Cub Cadets or garden tractors like the guys on this site.

dbuck · #10 08-05-2016, 11:15 AM

On my 149, I have one wheel weight and chains on my rears (23x8.5-12). An have no trouble on snow/ice under the snow, with splipping. I also have tri ribs on the front, as regular lawn tires, would cause the front end to slide/skid from snow build up. Where as the tri ribs solved that problem.