Just wondering....

[SundaySailor]

How would my cub with a woods 42" mower do on the lawn with the ag tread tires on the rear, and a new set of rims and turf tires on the front? I know I'm still stuck with slowing down for turns, and taking wide berths, but would it help a great deal with mowing? Right now, I have very good rib tires in the front (darn near new to be exact), and they tear the stuffing out of the lawn even if the yard is dry. I've been looking at other possibilities for a mower, but haven't found anything that tickled my fancy. Not to mention the feeling you do get from the "high view" you get from the seat of the cub. (I know, I'm sentimental - but that's a good thing, right? )


Thanks folks. I enjoy your opinions greatly.

Rick

[Bigdog]

Rick - 5 rib fronts or some other type of turf tread will help reduce the cutting you are getting from the 3 rib fronts. But they will slide sideways more. I find using the brakes on tight turns helps keep the tractor following the tire direction.

[Cub-Bud]

Before next spring, I am going to outfit my '55 Lo-boy with Firestone R-3s on the rear and Titan rib implements on the front. The Armstrong R-1s on the rear leave a cleat mark in the yard and the tri-rib fronts peel the grass back in sharp turns.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I put boat trailer tires on the front of Missy. Works out good.

[SundaySailor]

Thanks Cub-Bud, Bigdog, and John. This helps a bunch in making a decision. Now then, what about the rear tires? Will they be ok, or should I ultimately change over to the type tires seen on a lot of the Lo-boys? Obviously we are getting into some major $$$$ here, but after seeing the marks the front tires are making, I do want to keep from tearing up the lawn. I have a beautiful stand of fescue, and would rather keep it that way. Also, besides the boat trailer tires John mentioned, what else would you recommend for the front rims? I'm sure I'll have to visit my local tire store to get the tires, tubes, and have them mounted. I'll probably get the rims ordered today. Nice beginning to a winter project.

Rick

[Bigdog]

Rick - The lugs on the ag tires will leave an impression (literally) on your lawn when the ground is soft. I have used mine on the lawn with no damage as long as it wasn't in the spring when the ground is naturally softer. However, a set of turf treads will prevent the problem but you will sacrafice some traction if the grass is wet - especially if you have hillsides to mow. The ideal solution (I guess) would be a set of the flotation turf treads that you see on a lot of the numbered lo-boys.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

My boat trailer tires (about $15 each) are mounted on my original rims. If you don't want to spring for the money for rear turf tires you might want to check for used ones that have the lugs nearly worn off, or take yours to a shop that has equipment for grinding tires to grind them down and round the edges of the lugs, but it sure seems a shame to waste good tread. If you can find a pair of the old style tread patterns such as I have on Missy they minimize lawn damage.

[SundaySailor]

My rear tires do look a great deal like yours. To my knowledge, they haven't been replaced. They may have been, but I don't know about it. I know the fronts were replaced, as the PO literally drove the front end of the tractor into the ground (broke both spindles at the axles), and both tires were cut by the mower. There's even little "tits" still on the front tires. Maybe I can get by with the ag tires if I take it easy and don't act like I'm on the Nascar circuit. (Varoom, varoom! ) Thanks for the replies, as I think I'm on to something that will make this a much better mowing tractor. Plus, I'll still have the other tires and rims to fall back on to.

Rick