1810 steep uphill steering difficulty

[Grand Pops 1810]

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? Thanks!

[J-Mech]

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.....

[Grand Pops 1810]

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.

[CADplans]

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.

That is the cheapest thing to try!!

[rweaver]

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

[inspectorudy]

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?

[Maxwelhse]

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!).