Turf Tires VS Ag... anything in between? CC#129

[ironman]

If you have a slippery surface or slimey mud, the ag's won't do any better than any other tread style. In other words chains are the best answer.
If you have firm ground, the ag's will do no damage unless you get stupid.
If you have somewhat soft ground the ag's may leave some marks but mostly they just disappear on their own, which would be the same result with chains
Just my opinion based on my experience, yours may vary.

[spndncash]

I am in agreement with Ironman. I live in the country so I just don't mow the wet areas until they dry out. I run turf tires on my mowing equipment and if i get too close and start to spin I chain up and drive out. in the winter I run a sgt with foam filled ags, 75# weights a steel sims cab (and my F.A. in the seat) the chains really make the difference winter and summer.

[ChristopherCT]

Wow! I'm so glad I asked this question. I feel I need to take a good look at the Carlisle All Trail (yeah, they do look good). And if I can't spring for those this year, I will get by with some well-fitted chains. All of this advice is very helpful!

[cooperino]

I have diamond treads on a couple of tractors. My 100 came with them. I think I like standard turf tires more however the diamonds are okay.

[ChristopherCT]

To the folks who are enjoying the "Carlisle All Trail" tires: did you choose

23 x 8 x 12" ?

23 x 10.5 x 12 ?

A basic search (like TractorData) seems to indicate that this is the tire size that I am looking for is 23 x 8.5 x 12. But I know that some rims can successfully hold a variety of tire. I will also type "tire size" into the search window, as I am sure that this is a well discussed topic. The Carlisles may not be made in an 8.5.... but I am hoping that the 12 is the most critical number.

[kalebevans]

Here are the photos I have on hand. I swapped them onto my Original while rebuilding the k341, but I don't have any photos of them on the 169 with me. Other than this one useless one, somehow. I've about got the 169 back together, and I'll try to remember to grab a photo for you. Mine are 10.5 wide, which was the stock size for the 169 but not stock on all the wide frames.IMG_20190705_172905698.jpg

IMG_20190705_175425150.jpg

IMG_20161010_212353065.jpg

[Billy-O]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCT

To the folks who are enjoying the "Carlisle All Trail" tires: did you choose

23 x 8 x 12" ?

23 x 10.5 x 12 ?

My All Trails are the 8's. They replaced the original turfs 8.5's. There was some difficulty getting the stiffer and narrower new tires to seat on the rims. Fortunately, my brother, who runs an automotive service business, had a bead seater.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-30007L-...0388169&sr=8-3

[drglinski]

I can't stand turf tires. To me they are ugly as hell regardless of practicality. My choice of tire is 23 degree AG tires. I have a set of turfs on my snow tractor because it's going to get chained up. All the research I've done is that turfs with chains are the best for snow regardless of how ugly they are.

[fourinchdragslicks]

Ag tires are the way to go. They don't damage the yard unless you are driving aggressively on a wet yard. Ive actually done more damage on damp ground with turf tires than the same patch with ag tires.
If you think ag tires ride too rough you have too much air in them or are running a tire that is way beyond the load limit of our tractors. I run 3-5 psi (BKTs) and they ride fine, flex and flatten out under load like a tire should.

[ChristopherCT]

Well spring has sprung, and I bet a lot of folks are tearing into their tractors making improvements. I know this is old, but I wanted to say that in order to get through winter in a thrifty way I DID buy some chains with a high number of "cross members" or whatever you call them. They came with a four spring tensioning device that looked pretty well designed, and so I did two things:

I shortened the chains until they had very little play (cold chisel, hammer, rock)

Then I also added the included tensioner.

This way I felt that I used advice from two helpful contributors to the thread. When I can afford the Carlisle All Trails, I think I am sure to get them. We will see if the chains do much damage to our very basic lawn. I have attached pics- one is my ten year old son driving uphill. He cares nothing for tractors, but he did appreciate the power of the CC! We were hauling out firewood that I had cut earlier in the week. Cheers!