Tire Life

[Jim Becker]

How about rotating the tires? Turn the inside of each tire to the outside.

[danovercash]

What Jim says, also I pick up used tire/rims for the Snapper for about $5. No setting the toe in on that puppy. All worn out bushing holes and pigeon toed. Plows all the time. Snapper bushings need to be replaced every couple of years, but that does not happen.

[Paul B]

Often one tire is slightly more turned than the other. This is because it is difficult to manufacture a high-end steering mechanism on a budget. All manufacturers are guilty of it.

One tire/wheel (the inside tire/wheel in a turn) turns more because of the Ackermann Steering Geometry that is used on everything from remote control cars to semi's, including Cubs, Cub Cadets, and other lawn/Garden tractors. You can Google "Ackerman Steering" and find the explanations for it because it is too incolved for me to try to explain here, or anyplace else for that matter.

[Jim Becker]

In fact, if you just search for "Ackerman" on this site you will find a bunch of past discussion.

[Rudi]

Couple things to add.

Checked the tire pressure again and it is/was very close to the 14lbs indicated. One tire has a lot of wear on the outer side of the tire and the other has more wear in the centre of the tire. Couldn't actually read where they were made but they are Carlisle's and the rears are as well. The rear's quite clearly have Made in USA on them and they are in great shape (10lbs pressure).

Whilst I was off yesterday looking for upgrade parts for my hydraulic project (main forum) - I was visiting a small engine shop that I have dealt with a lot over the last 20 years or so. While looking for a tank, I spied what appeared to be some tires of the correct size. Yup, 15x6.00 - both Carlisle's and one is a twin of the the style on mine and the other is similar but tread is different. $15.00 each and a total of $40.00 mounted. Think that is a pretty good deal even unmatched. Probably will go that route.

[BigBill]

First i purchased a manual tire changer from harbor freight along with the smaller tire changer too. I made a bracket that attaches the smaller tire changer to the larger changer spindle so i don't need to bend over its right up there to be worked on. Now i'm going to get the bubble balancer next so i can do car tires. I started off in my mechanic life with these elmanual tire changers anyway its nothing new to me. If i have a bad tire with cracks its good to put a tube in it early so it will last longer but don't pump too much air in it, keep it low in air pressure.

With tire cracks i think the sun takes it toll on them with the constant heat and ultraviolet rays drying them out. If you store your tractor outside cover it, tires too. Applying vegetable oil to the outside of the tires that are cracked will swell up the rubber to zero cracks again. I read this somewhere but i haven't tried it yet.

I purchased new tires for most of my 10 tractors. Wear wise so far the fire stone turf ties on my cub cadet seem to be wearing way less than the other tire brands. I really don't think they have worn yet in 4 years of use so far. The fire stone tires aren't cheap but if they last longer they maybe worth buying. Bill

I have more $$ tied up in new tires than all my tractors added up for sure. I have 3 rib, tru power ag's, turf tires on my cadets of various brands and new tires for my fcub and int154's too.

[SundaySailor]

My JD L-111 on the other hand is about 5 years old, has 320 hours on the clock and the front tires are worn out And I have no idea why as the tires are always inflated to the proper tire pressure. This makes no sense especially since these tires are probably the ones I have taken the best care of.

Hey Rudi. Long time no see. I just wanted to tell you that there are other models of the JD line that can provide you with good parts for your JD-L111 too. Go to http://www.deere.com (I know, I know) and do a look up on L110, L118, heck - even some of the Sabre and Scott's tractors. The parts are the same in many places as your JD L-111.

Just something else to think about.

[Rudi]

Rick:

Yup, there is a whole line that can provide parts, any of the L-100 series should do. I haven't decided what to do yet, I like the price from Al, but am looking at what rims (from other makes maybe) that may fit and if it is affordable to get them tires on rims. Busy cutting and splitting my winter wood (Ellie is getting a nice little workout with the splitter) so the tire repairs will have to take a back seat for a week or so.

[BigBill]

Fact; Since i first purchased tractor tires the prices right now have almost doubled. I still watch ebay for a deal. I got two 11.2 x 24 ag's for my loader/hoe for $300 + ship for two tires from tucker. I wanted to dual up four 31'' x 1550 15'' tru power tires on a cub cadet but its almost $500 for two tires now. Bill