glgrumpy 35 #1 Posted January 19, 2014 Man, after seeing that Swedish guy's D, mine seems pretty junky! Well, anyway, been using my 18 auto for plowing snow this year. Darn tractor just doesn't turn sharp at all and have to go back and forth alot to align for next trip. Is that normal for these, or is mine broken/wore somewhere? Sure need a spnner knob, but not sure it turns easy enough for that. I have the big wide 8" tires on front and they do lots of sliding when pushing snow and even when trying to back out of end of run and bank. Tractor wants to move to side as backing and steering does about Nothing to change that. Had to dig it out some today, how dumb! I now have a rear blade on it for weight and is better traction, just the blade sticks out a ways and you gotta watch so not to hit something with it. Again the long radius turning is not helpful with that on back. My turning brakes don't seem to help much,just want to slow tractor down, not really turn it better. I'm going to switch to smaller 6.50 front wheels/tires this summer. Those big 8" don't look right anyway. Now, do I get the tri-ribs or just turf with good pattern? I like ribs, but maybe mowing with it, and should stay with turf? Heck, maybe just need both and should change them when needed. Gas tanks seem an afterthought on these rigs. Can't move seat back enough and I'm not a tall guy. I've seen people move to fender, but not sure I like that. I see the Swede's tank is narrower and taller, with taper for seat back. I like that one! Anybody else ever do something diff? Looks like the rear plate behind tank could go back a little, but might not be enough movement to get tank back far enough. Sure don't seem like anyplace inside the chassis for a tank! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joel_400 59 #2 Posted January 19, 2014 Put some tri ribs on it and you will be amazed how much better it steers. And you wont get pushed around when you angle the blade as much. I hate plowing snow without my tri ribs on the front! Joel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazm 413 #3 Posted January 19, 2014 Another trick is to put bike chain around each front tire to help with traction Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,679 #4 Posted January 20, 2014 Another trick is to put bike chain around each front tire to help with traction +1 for the chain. A lot cheaper than new tires. D's have a big turning radius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bewford 21 #5 Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) X2 And if if turns hard you should check the steering box, and grease all the steering, they don't turn really easy but sounds like yours might need some attention. The only other option I know of to make them easier to steer is adding power steering. Edited January 20, 2014 by bewford Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smoreau 658 #6 Posted January 20, 2014 I use #50 roller chain on my front tires. I still get pushed around a little, but Much better then buying new tires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swemill 66 #7 Posted January 21, 2014 I'm also having some problems with mine and are looking for tri-ribs! Just hasn't found any dealer in Sweden yet... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #8 Posted January 22, 2014 D Series are not renown for their ease of steering and turning on a dime. As suggested, you can do some things to help like tri-ribs or chain on the front tires. I see that Swemill rebuilt/modified his steering assembly on his D-Series to help his turning issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,465 #9 Posted January 22, 2014 Fill those front tires with either beet juice , windshield washer fluid or RV antifreeze . Works wonders.... Sarge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
