127 Front Tires & Electric Lift

[OverKnight]

I'm getting my 127 ready for winter plowing, and the front tires are mismatched, dry-rotted and almost bald. What tires were original equipment for 127s? Are there tires that anyone would recommend over the original equipment tires?

Also, picking up the blade is quite a workout. There's an electric lift assembly for a 147 on eBay right now; would this be difficult to adapt to a 127?

Thank you.

[Matt G.]

A spring assist will help you lift that blade and will be cheaper than finding a usable electric lift. The electric lift would work, but you'd need some extra brackets and rockshaft modifications. The spring assist bolts on and requires no modifications.

As for tires, the originals are bald multi-rib tires that are completely useless in the snow. I would recommend either these V61 tires, lug tires, or basically anything else with a more aggressive tread.

[OverKnight]

Thank you, Matt. I think I can pick up a spring assist locally; I'll give that a try first. The standard size front tires for a 127 are 4.80 x 4.00 x 8, but the V61s are not available in that size; they are available in 16 x 6.5 x 8, which is listed as an alternate size in the CC service manual. Will the larger size fit onto my wheels?

Thanks again.

[CubQuest]

As long as you already have the narrow wheels you should just get a pair of Deestone 4.00-8 three ribs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TWO-New-4-00-8-T...#ht_1081wt_886

[OverKnight]

Thanks, CubQuest. $42.00 for tires and tubes is a pretty good deal. The only thing that concerns me is the one big center rib; I think it would concentrate a lot of weight in a small area, which wouldn't be good for my lawn. Does anyone know what size rim is needed for the 16 x 6.5 x 8 tires? The five-rib tire sounds like a better option.

Thanks again.

[Matt G.]

They will not wreck your lawn unless the spring thaw is coming out and your yard is really squishy. My dad's much heavier Farmall B will only leave marks in the yard if it's wet.

You just need the 'wide' CC 3/4" spindle NF front wheels to use 16-6.5-8 tires. I apologize, I just assumed your 127 already had the wider wheels, as most of them did by that point.

[CubQuest]

The 3 ribs won't mess up the lawn, I've used them on my 127 for the last 2 years without a problem

Here's what they look like:

[CubQuest]

This pic shows the ribs a little better.

[ACecil]

I've also had no problems, with the tri ribs on my 100 messing my yard up either.

[OverKnight]

Thanks, everyone. I can definitely fit $42.00 into my budget. Or maybe wait for Santa...