My Tractor Forum banner

What Tires are Best for Me?

6939 Views 28 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  jar19800
Ok, first of all, I know I have posted about this many times over. I think I am kind of bipolar because I cannot seem to decide what tires are best for my 210. I WANT the different tires for the looks, but at the same time, I NEED tires that will be most suitable for the many things I do with the tractor. Now I know we are all from different parts of the US and Canada and the environments are very diverse (more or less snow, different types of grass, more or less rainfall, etc). I will post a few pics to show you. I originally wanted Carlisle Tru Powers for the look of an ag tractor. I take my 210 mudding in the woods sometimes and The turf tires obviously aren't ideal for it. Ags would be the best bet. Now onto mowing. My lawn is much like sod. Meanwhile, my neighbors lawns are crabgrass, johnson grass, etc, and are really rough to ride on (hence why I don't have a zero turn). And a few of them have some pretty steep hills. So I know ags will help on the hills, but what about on my own lawn? My uncle recently drove his Ford loader tractor with ag tires across our lawn during landscaping and tore it up after just a few passes. So I don't know if ags would be best for my own lawn. Don't want to have to switch back and forth between tires when I mow different lawns and when I go mudding. (Is it true that Carlisle is discontinuing the Tru Powers?).

Now some of us buy HDAP tires for everything. They seem to be a good tire for everything. They will not tear my grass or my neighbors' grass up. And I hear they are great for snow too. And must be great for dirt since they are ATV tires. But I do not plan to plow snow with my 210 for a while, so snow removal is out of the equation. If I have to, I will buy tire chains, weights, or even fill my tires (which method is better for weight?), or let a little pressure out for more traction.

The current turf tires are the original ones and have been on there since 1983. They have about 70% tread left and are awfully cracked. The right rear doesn't hold air either. Turf tires are obviously best for mowing, as I have used them on my lawn and my customer's lawns. Both the LA150 and the Cub Cadet have them and I very rarely get in a tough spot with them. Turf tires are good for these machines but back to the looks....I don't really want them because of the way they look.

So hopefully I haven't been to confusing to everyone. There just seems to be such a huge variety of options with these old garden tractors and they are easily customize-able. I was planning on keeping a spare set of rims and turf tires if I ever decided to switch back, but I really just want something that looks great and can be used to mow my lawn:

Lawn Grass Green Land lot Grassland


Go through the back woods and down the lane (which looks a lot rougher than it is):

Vegetation Grass Shrubland Plant community Plant


And mow my neighbor's yards, especially the ones with the hills like this:

Lawn Grass Land lot Grassland House


Right now I have to make the best of the turfs as they slowly wear out. I want to be able to do this once and for all. Maybe in the future if I acquire a 318 or something like it I will put ags on it or something just for looks (like the bigger 26" tires). Thanks for your help guys, it's really amazing to have a forum full of knowledgeable people here that can help. Otherwise I don't know what I would do.
See less See more
3
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
HDAP's would be my choice and add chains and if necessary some weight if you need 'em for snow & / or ice. Should be a good all 'round tire.
And they look not bad either.
HDAP's give plenty of traction a better ride but don't clean out as well as AG's. For mud you can't beat a set of AG's. You will get less slippage than with turfs and what I've found is areas that I use to get slippage from turfs I no longer get with either HDAP's or AG's. I run both HDAP's and AG's on different tractors. slkpk
See less See more
If someone showed up to mow my lawn with ags on the machine- they would loose the job. They have their applications, but hired lawn care is not one of them. Mow - going down the steepest part of the slopes.

When it comes to mudding- like my uncle used to say about his 4 wheel drive - You just need to pull it out twice as far.

Either learn to do Nascar tire changes or go with HDAP's in my opinion.:greendr:
See less See more
I really would like ag tires also, but they just aren't for mowing grass. If it's prarie, different story. Get a turf-friendly tire for mowing. Find some old rims and Get 2 ag tires and just swap the back two tires out for when you want them. Seriously it only takes a few moments once you have done it a few times. Keep the HF floor jack nearby, and it's 5 minutes tops, probably less.

Hope this helps!
--Bob
See less See more
Here is my 2 cents. A HDAP tire is the tire that I would put on my 210, if I was in your shoes. Here is why. As you said a turf tires are ok for the lawn but when you are in the back 40 you need something more. That is where I feel on you tractor the Carlisle HD Field Trax would be the best blend of tractions and being turf friendly. I don't feel that going to a AG tire would be the best for your lawns. Like I said this is just my 2 cents.

Thanks
LawnproDan
See less See more
I'm looking for new tires for my LX277.
I'm using chains year round on my turf tires.

What about these

See less See more
Well, HDAPS it is! I appreciate y'all's help. They sound the best. I will buy chains and weights for different jobs like snow removal (when I actually decide to get into it). Real quick, what do guys think is a better method for traction-- filled tires or wheel weights?

And what about the front tires? Should i get HDAPS on the front to match? Or should I go with V61's? I hear V61's are the best for everything. Not sure how HDAPs do on the front compared to V61's.

Sent from the MTF Free App
See less See more
i would load the tires then add more weight if needed.
I would look for a set of 10.5" rims to mount 26-12-12 tires on so you will not have to deal with switching tires or just one set to use for everything.
I have heard of using windshield washer fluid for weight in the tires. I have no experience with using the that in the tires. I was told that the reasons for using windshield washer fluid is that it won't freeze in the winter. Also it is cheap to buy too.

LawnProDan
I have heard of using windshield washer fluid for weight in the tires. I have no experience with using the that in the tires. I was told that the reasons for using windshield washer fluid is that it won't freeze in the winter. Also it is cheap to buy too.

LawnProDan

washer fluid contains toxic Methanol. RV AntiFreeze (the pink stuff) is NON toxic and non corrosive.

Rim Guard is best it is much heavier per gallon than water and is non corrosive and will not freeze. its more expensive though.
See less See more
I appreciate everyone's help. I was thinking of using washer fluid but like jar19800 said, the fluid is corrosive. I will use antifreeze first, then use chains for extra weight.
HDAPs sound like the best compromise to me. Enjoy the new shoes on your 210.
Just thought a visual would help. This is one of my motivation photos to help keep me moving forward on my 400 restoration. It's just a pic I found on the net but I absolutely love the look. The HDAPs and v61s just look Sick!

1976 John Deere 400 GT
2000 Toro/Wheel Horse 17/44HXL
2011 Ferris IS1500z
Sent from the MTF free app

Attachments

See less See more
Just thought a visual would help. This is one of my motivation photos to help keep me moving forward on my 400 restoration. It's just a pic I found on the net but I absolutely love the look. The HDAPs and v61s just look Sick!

1976 John Deere 400 GT
2000 Toro/Wheel Horse 17/44HXL
2011 Ferris IS1500z
Sent from the MTF free app
That is a great looking 400. HDAPs and V61's do make a great combo. I've been using this picture as a motivational photo for my 210 because it has everything I want to put on it (sleeve hitch, ags, 47" deck, rib tires, even a front grill guard). But now ags are kinda out of the equation.

Land vehicle Vehicle Tractor Agricultural machinery Lawn
See less See more
I find my V61's work well for what we do around our place. The only down side I have found is that they tend to fill with mud and if you don't clean them before you park they will leave a trail of hardened mud when you move it the next time. But then again so do the turfs just not quite as noticeable.
But they do look cool.
See less See more
I find my V61's work well for what we do around our place. The only down side I have found is that they tend to fill with mud and if you don't clean them before you park they will leave a trail of hardened mud when you move it the next time. But then again so do the turfs just not quite as noticeable.
But they do look cool.
Yeah my turfs did that and I forgot so now theres hard mud all over my garage....

Sent from the MTF Free App
See less See more
Use RV antifreeze if you can't get RimGuard. Regular antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid are both very poisonous to pets. Windshield fluid is primarily methyl alcohol. You really don't want to puncture a tire and then kill a clients pet.

steve
Just installed new "Holeshot" on front of mower after the factory Terra Tires dry rotted beyond tubing. Basically our entire yard is hill side and often the front end tends to push (not turn). Replacement cost was $90 put on. Best upgrade for our 265 yet. I've attached a video review of them in action.

See less See more
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top