1810 steep uphill steering difficulty
 

Hey guys, been mowing with my 1810, first season. My lawn has steep hills that my old Gilson (cast iron 16 + cast iron axle) climbs/ steers with ease. My 1810 is much lighter on the front end (much easier steering), but there is not enough weight on the front end to make the tires bite when turning. Mowing straight uphill, you can turn the wheels and the tractor pushes straight ahead with wheels turned. What is the best solution here? I just lowered the deck a notch so the deck wheels don't push the turf so hard on turns. The existing front tires are turf tread. Should I just add anti-freeze to the front tires? Would ribbed front tires help this problem (with anti-freeze in them also)? Do ribbed front tires tear up the turf?:cub10: Thanks!

How steep are we talking? .... Ribbed front tires would help, but yes would probably be rough on the turf. I don't think adding fluid would help. I don't think the tires are big enough to get much weight. Besides, if you need weight, you need it farther foreword. I can say, I've never been on a hill steep enough mowing that I had trouble steering.....

I'm not sure how to describe "how steep", but I'd say it is probably near the limits of a conventional riding mower. There are times mowing uphill when you turn and the tires do bite hard, then the inside rear tire looses traction and you spin. There are also times mowing down hill at low speeds where the rear tires will loose traction and the tractor will slide/ accelerate. I plan on adding liquid to the rear tires also, maybe consider adding Ag treads to rear.


I'd say you can probably get at least 2 gallons per front wheel, so that would add 25 to 30 pounds down low on the front end. The yard is not highly manicured, so some light turf damage is okay. Would be nice if the tractor would reliably head where I point it.

Fluid will help, and the amount they hold will surprise you.

I would bet you can not pick up a loaded front tire with one hand. :bigthink:

That is the cheapest thing to try!! :bigthink:

I have had loaded front tires and they get heavy I agree loaded front tires will help would be my choice to try

Be sure and use the non rust type of fluid because I just went to replace a front tire and the rim was useless because of internal rust caused be adding water to the front tires. If you use a tube you can use anything you want with no damage. Are you real fat and do you have a big butt?:beerchug:

As a fellow steep hill climber (and as fat SOB), I lean forward and kick my feet out by the rear wheels like I'm riding a crotch rocket.

I've been chastised here for my technique before, but it works. Even if you're not a lard butt like me, it might help! :)

Otherwise, tubes + water and drain in the fall. If that doesn't cut it, get a front weight bar fabbed up (and possibly wheelies bars if it's that fricken steep!).

I have tried leaning forward with my chest on the steering wheel (feet still in normal position). It does help some, but not completely or reliably. I think I'm going to head over to Wally World and pick up several gallons of RV anti-freeze and see what that does. As you suggest, new tires are not cheap!

F the anti-freeze for the summer... Run water plain, just as a trail. If it works, up your budget to antifreeze.

All that said, the more I think about the problem lately, the more I think duallies and mowing sideways is the way to go! Even if it doesn't work, your tractor will look totally awesome!:)

You could also get a set of front weights such as these. They are 30# each. I put them on to help steering when plowing.