318 Deere with a 20hp Onan, 48" deck, Powerflow bagger system, and Snow Blower.
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154 Posts
So, my current tires are starting to dry out and crack. I've got the "turf saver" style front and rear tires Currently.
My Rear tires are almost like... a hockey puck. There really is no traction once the snow flies. Thank goodness for weights and chains. I'm in MN so it gets butta$$ cold and we get plenty of snow. Traction is a good thing!
Currently, with the blower on, snow on the ground...and the blower down (less weight on the front) it doesn't steer very well. The crappy barely any tread tires just slide.
In the summer my entire yard is a hill. So I leave my wheel weights AND chains on to have the traction needed. So a more aggressive tire would not hurt my feelings at all.
That being said, I'm looking at the Versa-Turf's. They don't make them in a 23-10.50-12, but they do in a 24-12r12. A touch wider...and an inch taller total. Not a big deal.
Easy enough. That decision is pretty easy.
BUT
What are guys running for more aggressive front tires? They aren't making any 8" rim size Versa-Turf currently. So I'd have to do the whole hub swap, with new rims and then get the 18x8.50r10 vs the Stock 16x6.50-8.
That's starting to sound way more expensive. And all the hub swap info I've seen is on 400 series tractors. Probably not a huge difference, but that could turn into a whole different mess! LOL
So, what other alternatives are there? I've seen some more aggressive snowblower tires on walk behind units that I think would work, but they seem to only be a 2 ply rating. Is that really enough? I don't want to cheap out, but a 2 ply is WAY cheaper than a 4 ply.
I found these that are a 4 ply, but for $60 each.
That starts the debate towards the hub swap and spending a little more on the Versa's and just do it right the first time... or... I'm hoping to keep this tractor another 5 years (then 1025r).... just slap on the aggressive cheaper tires and call it a day.
If anyone has any experience with something like this on the front of their tractor... I'm all ears! I love this tractor, and with a newly rebuilt motor, it should last a good long time. BUT... it doesn't do all the things I want to do, so the 1025 is on the list as soon as child support drops in 5ish years.
My Rear tires are almost like... a hockey puck. There really is no traction once the snow flies. Thank goodness for weights and chains. I'm in MN so it gets butta$$ cold and we get plenty of snow. Traction is a good thing!
Currently, with the blower on, snow on the ground...and the blower down (less weight on the front) it doesn't steer very well. The crappy barely any tread tires just slide.
In the summer my entire yard is a hill. So I leave my wheel weights AND chains on to have the traction needed. So a more aggressive tire would not hurt my feelings at all.
That being said, I'm looking at the Versa-Turf's. They don't make them in a 23-10.50-12, but they do in a 24-12r12. A touch wider...and an inch taller total. Not a big deal.
Easy enough. That decision is pretty easy.
BUT
What are guys running for more aggressive front tires? They aren't making any 8" rim size Versa-Turf currently. So I'd have to do the whole hub swap, with new rims and then get the 18x8.50r10 vs the Stock 16x6.50-8.
That's starting to sound way more expensive. And all the hub swap info I've seen is on 400 series tractors. Probably not a huge difference, but that could turn into a whole different mess! LOL
So, what other alternatives are there? I've seen some more aggressive snowblower tires on walk behind units that I think would work, but they seem to only be a 2 ply rating. Is that really enough? I don't want to cheap out, but a 2 ply is WAY cheaper than a 4 ply.
I found these that are a 4 ply, but for $60 each.
That starts the debate towards the hub swap and spending a little more on the Versa's and just do it right the first time... or... I'm hoping to keep this tractor another 5 years (then 1025r).... just slap on the aggressive cheaper tires and call it a day.

Amazon.com : Premium 16x6.50-8 4Ply Directional X-Trac Snow Tire : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : Premium 16x6.50-8 4Ply Directional X-Trac Snow Tire : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
If anyone has any experience with something like this on the front of their tractor... I'm all ears! I love this tractor, and with a newly rebuilt motor, it should last a good long time. BUT... it doesn't do all the things I want to do, so the 1025 is on the list as soon as child support drops in 5ish years.