Thanks Mark!
The hydraulic lines are for the power angle feature of my front blade. I can position the blade anywhere within it's range of motion left to right, from the tractor seat by moving a lever next to the lift lever on the dash
The front hydraulic ports are standard on the model 1712 (the tractor I have)
The model 1812 also has front ports as standard equipment. The only difference between your 1811, and the 1812, is the front ports.
You can add the front ports to your 1811, if you find somebody parting out any X82 style machine, and get the valve, handle, and lines. Then you have to get the angle cylinder set up for the blade.
If you are really ambitious, you can engineer and build your own set up also.
Yes, the narrower the tire, the less 'flotation' you have. An
old set of 8.5" turfs with so-so looking wheels (my turfs are from the early 1970's...and the 1712 was made in 1985) are normally pretty cheap. plus, the 2 link chains are cheaper for the 8.5" wide tire vs the 10.5" tire.
In the spring, I swap the weighted 8.5" turfs and chains, with 10.5" Carlisle Super Lugs
