Tire Recommendations for steep, snowy, mud

[Alrashid2 437]

Hey yall! I had a discussion going about rubber tire chains and I've ultimately decided I'd like to try getting new tires for my Wheel Horse 312-8, and wanted to get some advice.

 

My situation:

• Use the horse for plowing a steep driveway and moving firewood up the house
• Driveway is asphalt, 15% grade, 200+ feet long
• Moving firewood from my racks to the house is about 40 yards (120 feet), uphill 15-20% grade, in the woods. Trail is just dirt and leaves.
• Currently have very basic Turf Saver tires on the horse, 22x7.50-12
• Have had zero problems plowing with these tires or driving around the woods in the summer for the most part
• Only issue I'm having is going up that steep, forest hill when there is snow on the ground! Tires just spin in the mud

 

I did get a few recommendations in that rubber chain thread:

 

@Achto recommended these Carlisle Versa Turf tires that look nice, but are a bit out of my price range at ~$350/pair:

https://www.millertire.com/23x8-50r12-carlisle-versa-turf-compact-radial-tractor-tire-6-ply/

 

@JoeM recommended these Terra Trac tires that are much more affordable at around $165/pair, but I'm unfamiliar with the brand and I thought the tire tread still looked a bit "Turfy".

 

 

So I do have some questions:

 

1. What tires do you recommend that would perform better on uphill, forest trails in the snow and mud, and will still work fine on plowing snowy pavement? Do tires with more aggressive tread like the ones above perform worst on asphalt? I don't want to get new tires that do better in the woods, just to handicap myself plowing when right now I have zero issues.

 

2. Do 23" tall tires fit a Wheel Horse 312-8 OK? My current tires are 22" high and seem to fill the wheel well pretty well, so wasn't sure if 23" was too tall? 

 

 

3. Should I go wider or narrower, or stay the same? I always get confused here on whether a wider tire = more traction and ground contact, or a narrower tire = less rolling resistance. My current tires are just 7.5" wide and again, seem like a comfortable middle ground. I don't think I want to stray too far from that. 

 

4. Any recommendation on front tires too? I'm willing to replace those two so I have fresh tires all around, if theyre cheap enough. Only issue I've ever had with the front is that sometimes when turning in snow, the tractor just keeps moving straight!

 

Thanks all for the advice!!

Edited 16 hours ago by Alrashid2

[Alrashid2 437]

[Wishin4a416 2,457]

It your tires are still good and holding air I would go with wheel weights and chains, I just pulled a set of tires like you have from 87 and 2100 hours and they were shot. Off of my mower tractor. My plow tractor has old tires but chains and weights and it is unstoppable on 2 very steep asphalt drives I do out of 4 all together. If you get chains get the double link.

Edited 16 hours ago by Wishin4a416

[8ntruck 8,533]

The tread on the Terra Track tires is more aggressive than the turf savers on your tractor, but they are a compromise between soft surface and hard surface traction.  The Versa Turf tires are more aggressive than the Terra Tracks, adding features of the V bar ag tread to a turf tire.  

 

 I'd expect both of them to still work out for plowing your driveway, and they should help with the off road traction.  I'd guess that the Versa Tracks would be a bit better off road, though it have never seen any comparisons on that subject.

 

In general, narrow tires will work better for plowing on pavement, as they will tend to dig through the snow and find the pavement.  Wide tires won't tend to do that, but they will reduce the tendency for the tractor to dig into the dirt/mud off road.

 

@ebinmaine is a fan of weight, ag tires, and chain for operation in his hilly wooded area.

 

Adding weight helps traction both on and off road.  I'd recommend that you try that first.  Add wheel weights or fill the tires and see how  much that helps.  Adding weight to the tires also has the advantage of increasing traction, but not increasing the load on the axle bearings.

 

I'd really like to get a set of Versa Tracks for my C-195.  Unfortunately, they are not available in the proper size.

[Alrashid2 437]

 

 

5 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

The tread on the Terra Track tires is more aggressive than the turf savers on your tractor, but they are a compromise between soft surface and hard surface traction.  The Versa Turf tires are more aggressive than the Terra Tracks, adding features of the V bar ag tread to a turf tire.  

 

 I'd expect both of them to still work out for plowing your driveway, and they should help with the off road traction.  I'd guess that the Versa Tracks would be a bit better off road, though it have never seen any comparisons on that subject.

 

In general, narrow tires will work better for plowing on pavement, as they will tend to dig through the snow and find the pavement.  Wide tires won't tend to do that, but they will reduce the tendency for the tractor to dig into the dirt/mud off road.

 

@ebinmaine is a fan of weight, ag tires, and chain for operation in his hilly wooded area.

 

Adding weight helps traction both on and off road.  I'd recommend that you try that first.  Add wheel weights or fill the tires and see how  much that helps.  Adding weight to the tires also has the advantage of increasing traction, but not increasing the load on the axle bearings.

 

I'd really like to get a set of Versa Tracks for my C-195.  Unfortunately, they are not available in the proper size.

 

A compromise between soft and hard might be exactly what I'm looking for! I want something better for the mud in the woods but I don't want to sacrifice my ability to plow my asphalt driveway, which I'm able to with turf savers and no chains right now. 

 

I am already running some pretty heavy cast iron wheel weights, 50 lbs each. 

 

I'm starting to think I should try out the Terra Tracks as they seem to get good reviews here and the price is right!

 

2 hours ago, Wishin4a416 said:

It your tires are still good and holding air I would go with wheel weights and chains, I just pulled a set of tires like you have from 87 and 2100 hours and they were shot. Off of my mower tractor. My plow tractor has old tires but chains and weights and it is unstoppable on 2 very steep asphalt drives I do out of 4 all together. If you get chains get the double link.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion but my tires are pretty old. No idea how old but theyre dry rotted to the point that I think any year now theyll rip open and the tube will push through! I'd hate to buy tire chains, then the tire ruptures and I have to buy new tire chains, as my tire size isnt readily available. Want to try and just buy new tires first and see how they perform. 

[ri702bill 11,065]

2 hours ago, Wishin4a416 said:

My plow tractor has old tires but chains and weights and it is unstoppable on 2 very steep asphalt drives I do out of 4 all together. If you get chains get the double link.

All of that. Weight on or inside the wheels is the best spot.

[Handy Don 15,682]

I agree with the comments above, especially about narrow tires, 2-link chains, and weight in/on the wheels.

Your situation does not seem to include surfaces likely to incur cosmetic scratches or dig-in from chains so they’d be my strong year-round choice. 

[Alrashid2 437]

As of now I prefer to go with just new tires, and then go from there. 

 

I was about sold on the Kendra Terra Tracs but realized that, with a 12" rim, the smallest width they come in is 10.5". Too wide, I'd prefer to stick around 8"

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,431]

I’m partial to this tread (yes, these are my tractors). 
  Brand: Carlisle All Trails 

 The ones on the right are 23 x 8.0x12’s and would fit your current wheels and clear your fenders just fine. 

  
 

[Alrashid2 437]

2 minutes ago, Sparky said:

I’m partial to this tread (yes, these are my tractors). 
  Brand: Carlisle All Trails 

 The ones on the right are 23 x 8.0x12’s and would fit your current wheels and clear your fenders just fine. 

  
 

 

Brother, too funny I literally just saw your post on the Tires megathread and was looking at the 8" width ones you posted! I do think those would work really well for me, and I was able to find a set for under $200 which I can live with.

 

Thanks for posting! Can I ask, have you tried these tires plowing on asphalt in the snow? How about going uphill in the mud or snow? 

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,431]

20 minutes ago, Alrashid2 said:

 

Can I ask, have you tried these tires plowing on asphalt in the snow? How about going uphill in the mud or snow? 

 The wide ones are on my snow-plow machine, with 75#’s pounds of cast weight on each. They work great and I don’t run chains on my paved drive. I do keep the air pressure low, keeps the tire more squishy and pliable. 

  The narrow set are on a tractor that mainly sees mowing duty. They are great for that and DO NOT tear up my lawn. I have used this machine occasionally to haul firewood from the woods in “mud season” and they are better than turfs, but can get mud packed and then they are like racing slicks. The sticky mud does not eject well from the depths of the tread. 
  These pics are the wide ones on my plow tractor. 
 

 

[Alrashid2 437]

Thanks for the honest feedback, @Sparky. I think these will still do pretty well for my purposes. Going to see about ordering online and if I remember right, my shop will mount tires for me for $10/rim if I bring them in. 

 

Can I ask you, and all others reading, would it be worth it to replace the front tires too? My fronts are the OEM size 15x6.00-6, and again just turf savers. I only run into problems with them in the snow, where I'll try to turn while moving only to keep sliding straight, until I stop the tractor, and start moving again. 

 

Wasn't sure if switching to a Carlisle All Season up front too would work to fix that problem much, and not sure if they'd be too aggressive and rip up my yard and the ground. Tends to get muddy over here! 

 

Also, is 15x6.00-6 a good size for the front? I have to check again as I'm having trouble remembering, but if I remember correctly, my tractor does not sit level (front is lower than rear) and that would obviously only get worst with putting 23s on the back over my current 22s. Wasn't sure if I should match the change (or exceed it) and get something like 16 or 17" tall tires on the front? 

[ebinmaine 76,861]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

@ebinmaine is a fan of weight, ag tires, and chain for operation in his hilly wooded area

 

Thanks for the "mention" Bill. 

 

I saw this thread earlier but couldn't take the time to answer. 

 

17 minutes ago, Alrashid2 said:

How about going uphill in the

 

1. mud or

 

2. snow? 

 

@Alrashid2

 

See how I separated the lines above? 

 

I drive equipment for a living. 

We live on a mountainside like you. 

 

I have A LOT of  experience and training in this subject. 

 

Like it or not - you're asking for resolution on two VERY different tasks.  

 

For mud or most sand NUTHIN beats good AG tires. Period. 

 

For snow - hands down best case scenario is a turf tire with chains. 

 

WEIGHT is your friend. 

 

Fluid filled tires are HIGHLY recommended.  

 

More weight is more friction is more traction. 

 

 

My recommendation to you is get turf tires AND 2 LINK CHAINS. 

 

Trina uses those year round on her 867. Definitely the way to go.  

 

On any garden tractor with one wheel drive there are NO tires that will be satisfactory for use on snow covered hills without chains. 

 

 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

Get the chains. ⛓️ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,431]

 As usual Eric wasn’t very clear about how he feels about chains . 
  In my opinion two link chains on turfs will out perform Ags or the All-Trails. The All Trails are a good all around tire that are a great choice if youre against using tire chains. 
  My recommendation is to get the All-Trails AND get 2 link chains that you can install if the going is too difficult for the All-Trails. 
 

 

[Tonytoro416 1,298]

These tires are from SUNF think they were technically a golf cart tire but weight ratings are comparable to and lawn and garden tire. A lot cheaper than the Carlisle same style tread. I use this tractor for everything and have been impressed how well they hook up. I moldboard plow the garden with this tractor and she really bites. Was impressed with pushing snow also. Just 50 pounds of weight on each tire. Like to get them loaded with rim guard 

[Tonytoro416 1,298]

https://www.sunf.com/products/sunf-g003-tires

[Tonytoro416 1,298]

Being a hydro tractor you get tight for the rear tires in a hurry if too wide. 8.50 wide would be great 

the 416 in my pictures are 23-10.50 but they have a small 3/4” or inch wheel spacer to make them not rub. On 8.50 wide wheels 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,261]

42 minutes ago, Tonytoro416 said:

These tires are from SUNF think they were technically a golf cart tire but weight ratings are comparable to and lawn and garden tire. A lot cheaper than the Carlisle same style tread. I use this tractor for everything and have been impressed how well they hook up. I moldboard plow the garden with this tractor and she really bites. Was impressed with pushing snow also. Just 50 pounds of weight on each tire. Like to get them loaded with rim guard 

I have the same exact ones but the “Wanda” brand. Awesome tires! And great price.

Edited 9 hours ago by TonyToro Jr.

[lynnmor 8,468]

3 hours ago, Alrashid2 said:

 

Can I ask you, and all others reading, would it be worth it to replace the front tires too? My fronts are the OEM size 15x6.00-6, and again just turf savers. I only run into problems with them in the snow, where I'll try to turn while moving only to keep sliding straight, until I stop the tractor, and start moving again. 

 

 

I bought a used 520H that had a new pair of front tires like yours, I believe they were 16"  I couldn't wait to get those slippery things off and replace with Kenda K500 Super Turfs like I have on the other three.  My opinion is that anything will be better than what you have.  Now about my experience with the Kenda Turfs front and rear is that they work rather well on anything but muddy conditions where they load up fast.  I only use rubber chains on my snowblowing tractor although I have a pair for the others.  I use 75 weights on two tractors and 55 pound weights on the other two.  I only put on steel chains for tilling.

Edited 8 hours ago by lynnmor

[8ntruck 8,533]

For turf duty, my C-195 had severe understeer with the old, dried out, original turf savers.  I swapped them out for for some 5 rib tires from Miller Tire.  Can't  remember the brand right now, but it started with a V.  Haven't driven this tractor in the snow yet, so I can't comment on how well they would work.  They are an improvement on turf, though.

 

Others have installed a length of #35 roller chain around the center of the tread on their front tires to improve snow performance.  The chain is a tight fit with the tire deflated, then when air is added, the tire expands inside the chain and hold it on.  Said to be very effective.

[Alrashid2 437]

I can't thank you all enough for the advice! I really appreciate it.

 

Ultimately I'd like to stick with just tires, no chains, for now. I think I've decided to try the Carlisle All Trails in 23x8.00-12 for the rear, and some Deestone D837 4 ribbed tires for the front in 15x6-6. The All Trails in the rear should be awesome in the snow and mud, and I think the 4-rib front tires will help me not only in the mud, but also when turning while plowing snow

 

 

https://www.tires-easy.com/15-6.00-6/deestone-tires/d837-rib/tirecode/DS7217

 

https://www.tires-easy.com/23-8.00-12/carlisle-tires/all-trail/tirecode/511506

 

Any objections? 

[kpinnc 16,770]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

Can't  remember the brand right now, but it started with a V. 

 

Vredestein.