Front tires for lawn mowing
 

Looking for opinions on the best front tire to use on my 2072 for mowing grass. I also use it 2-3 times a year to snow plow, and my driveway is on an incline. My lawn is on an incline as well.

I am considering Carlisle Turfs, Carlisle Straight Rib and Vredestein V61:

- The V61 tires definitely have the cool factor and are well made. I hear they do well in snow. I am concerned about them tearing up the grass on tight/fast turns.
http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server40...20.220.JPG?c=2

- The Straight Rib tires have far less agressive thread and resemble the original tires on my 1450. But they have me concerned about steering and sliding while on a slope.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31GAMrySzHL.jpg

- The Turfs seem like they would do the least damage to the grass, but they lack the cool factor, are a pain to clean if you go through a little bit of mud and probably don't do quite as well in the snow.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...WL._SY450_.jpg

What are your opinions on the best tire for the job?

In my opinion and experience..............................

The straight rib tire (middle photo) is the least of the three. They don't wear well and they will slide on hillsides. Even worse with a little wear. And that will tear up grass along with other problems.

The turf tires you show have worked well for me. They wear good also.

I haven't used any tires like your top photo. I had concerns they would tear up the grass as well but I was assured here, that's not the case. I think they make a tractor without PS steer much easier. If I had a tractor that needed a set of front tires, I'd like to try a pair of them.

Vredestein V61 hand down. They do well in snow, which is a huge plus, but they are also friendly on your lawn (unless you mow in mud or at full speed in soft ground). I have them on my 2284 (which really is overkill for me since I mow really flat ground 99% of the time and don't take it out in the winter). But I've never had them tear anything up or any other ill effects. I now this because for the first half of the year in 2015 it seemed like every time I'd mow it'd be sopping wet. They look good, work good, and they have the cool factor. 'Nuff said :beerchug:

Edit: Also like the poster above me, I'd 100% skip the middle tire you posted. No real traction, especially in snow. I've had a couple machines with those tires and didn't care for them at all. They seemed to be the only tire I ever really had any kind of issue with, mostly slipping even in not so wet grass. Turf tires are ok, they work good in the yard but not so great in snow. Another option is below. To me, it's like a turf tire on steroids. Cooler than turfs but still kinda out of place for the Cub scene (but that's just me). I've never used them but have heard good things about them. YMMV

http://www.millertire.com/products/l...ra-trac-4-ply/

I had the V61's on the front and Tru-Powers on the back on my Supers, no problems with the lawn. :beerchug:

Thanks guys, sounds like V61 is the way to go. Has anyone located an alternate source for these tires other than Miller? $130 +$30 shipping seems steep for 2 small tires, I think I paid less for the 2 bigger TurfMasters on the rear wheels :bigthink:

Pretty sure Miller is the only place that sells them.

Yep, I've barked up that tree before. Went to a couple of our bigger local tire service facilities (one is quite large and does all kinds of agricultural, commercial, and residential work) and asked them before if they could get 'em. Not only had they never heard of the brand but it took them several hours to call me back and tell me that they can't get there hands on them. So yeah, I'd go Miller Tire. Plus you are supporting a USA based company that has EXCELLENT customer service. :beerchug:

Miller Tire has an eBay store that, iirc, sells them for maybe a couple bucks cheaper than there site but I could be mistaken on the price. It's worth checking out, though.

Check on ebay, think I saw some under hay tedder tires

I put a new set of the middle smooth variety on my 129, they suck. Cheap, but ineffective on anything other than flat land with dry grass. I swapped them for used turfs.