Tire recommendations

Caver Dave

Caver Dave

Just holdin' it down here in BFV
Moderator
Joined
Mar 10, 2005
Location
Hooterville (24171)
Not exactly "offroad" related, but close enough...

I've got a Bobcat 52" ZeroTurn with fairly new turf tires... these are great for FLAT, but out of the 3+ acres (not counting 1/2 mile of right-of-way) I mow, only a few 100sq/ft is "flat". The rest is very hilly up to about 40* grade and find myself constantly spinning, sliding, or getting stuck.

My neighbor has a set of "ATV tires" (almost like dirtbike knobbies with a row of side-biters) tires on his... no issues barking the grass, nor any sidehill issues with them. Said he had the same problems I do until he swapped them out. Unfortunately, lost the only picture I took of his tires. Another friend that mows several hilly yards has some V-treads (low thread height, not like "tractor tires") that he landed on after several sets... trying to eliminate barking the grass/sidehill sliding/getting stuck.

Both said they got them online from "ATV Tire suppliers". I'm looking for something more aggressive than the turf tires, but don't need Vampires/tall lug "mud" tires either... cheaper is better (I know some run $200/ea)
 
Are you talking about these?
AT101 Chevron
HD Field Trax

Most of the guys who do a lot of slope cutting use a walk behind, which can be controlled a lot better on the hills, or use a front-mount zero turn which has a very different drive/steer relationship instead of front caster tires. Standers can work well too because you can change your weight distribution but adjusting your body position, but still often not as good as a walk behind.
It's really the caster wheels that are the issue here, and that messes up the dynamics of the mower on the hills, which creates traction problems when you try to compensate for the caster wheels on a slope. Same deal with a walk behind, but you can control it better and you're not sitting on it if something bad happens. Those wide track, heavy-ass hydro drive walk behinds just seem to get it done.

Did I mention that all the best stuff for hills is really expensive? Also, standers are super fun, but not as fun on hills.
 
Last edited:
I'm thinking that adding fluid to the size tires that a 52 inch ZT has on it is not going to add much weight.

What size tire is it? Is it a commercial ZT with a big tire, or a lower end model with a 20 or 22 inch tire?
 
Last edited:
Part of the issue (I think) is the balance of the mower. Of the Bobcats I've run, they all seemed to not have much traction. I could be going forward and want to ease left...but they would just slide or spin the left tire and not turn. That was just my experience.

I do agree that a tire change would help. You could hang weights off the rear if it has any kind of rear bumper....or you could try getting really, really fat.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Part of the issue (I think) is the balance of the mower. Of the Bobcats I've run, they all seemed to not have much traction.
Click to expand...

Small tires. Maybe on the light side too. Depends on which model line though, especially if it's anything toward the consumer-grade end of things.
 
Last edited:
So I've spent a lot of time money and tires on this. I don't weedeat shit and my yard that gets mowed is more than 6 acres. Have a 60" bobcat zero turn that was terrible on any hills and impossible next to the pond. The only tires worth a shit are the v treads. You could also add some weight to the front end. Anyway the v bar tires are great, as long as you know how to 3 pt turn a zero turn they damage the grass probably less than regular turf tires and no one ever asks to borrow your mower. The ultimate solution though ended up being to buy an ifs ferris is3200 that sidehills like a champ.
 
I've got a Ferris myself. I've been a fan of them since I first saw one.
 
Fabrik8 said:
Small tires. Maybe on the light side too. Depends on which model line though, especially if it's anything toward the consumer-grade end of things.
Click to expand...

It's the ProCat 52... 100% commercial grade and likely the largest/heaviest they made (which not be true today) with 23x10.50-12's Kenda "Super Turfs" (slightly more agressive than Carlisles)

braxton357 said:
So I've spent a lot of time money and tires on this. I don't weedeat shit and my yard that gets mowed is more than 6 acres. Have a 60" bobcat zero turn that was terrible on any hills and impossible next to the pond. The only tires worth a shit are the v treads. You could also add some weight to the front end. Anyway the v bar tires are great, as long as you know how to 3 pt turn a zero turn they damage the grass probably less than regular turf tires and no one ever asks to borrow your mower. The ultimate solution though ended up being to buy an ifs ferris is3200 that sidehills like a champ.
Click to expand...

You nailed it sir! My neighbor with the knobbies said the same regarding the turf tires damaging more (because of spinning), his don't spin... they grip and go without digging.
I'll look at a set of those for next season... what brand V-treads did you go with?
 
Back
Top