Zero Turn Tire Recommendations

I'm looking for a new set of tires for my Dixie Chopper 2750 Silver Eagle. It currently has the Carlisle Multi-Trac C/S which have made it to 950 hours, but the tread is getting a little thin on the inside edges of the tire. It almost looks like they have a camber on them. Also, one has had some sidewall rubbing that has left cracks in the sidewall. The size is 24x12x12. The mower is used to mow all of the lawn on our horse farm, probably about 5-7 acres of mowing when it is all said and done. But, there is a good bit of roading. It is about 1.5 miles from one end of our farm to the other along a county road. I see a lot of good reviews about the chevron/bar AT101 Carlisle tires, but I am worried they won't last any time at all on the pavement. I disliked the Multi-Tracs, but recently just loaded the tires with water, and the guy driving the mower says they do a lot better on the road sides, but have yet to try anywhere else. I know water won't keep them from plugging with mud. I have also seen people try UTV tires like the Carlisle Field Trax HD. I am just wondering what you guys have had good luck with on your mowers. If I didn't have the amount of road driving, I would have already ordered the AT101's, but until I know how they wear roading, I am scared they won't last nearly as long.

Also, would going to a 23x10.50x12 tire help with scuffing the sidewall? The deck only sticks out maybe an inch from the edge of the tire, so any time you're against a fence, it is really easy to rub the sidewall, and occasionally nick it.

Hurst

Hurst the multi-track is one of the best all terrain mower tires made. If adding weight to them is needed go for it. You are right the bar tires are not going to wear as well. There are some ATV tires that will give you more traction than either of the ones you mentioned, unfortunately I cannot remember the name or tread design. I run the bar tires on all my mowers except for the one I own now-I cannot find the bar tires in the size for it. If I could they would be on it. I did the next best thing and put the Multi Trac C.S. on it.

If you look under Tool Talk I just had a nice discussion going about different tires and what is best. It was called Better traction for zero turn or something of the like.

I was also looking at the Kenda K502 which are pretty knobby, but a little "denser" tread pattern than a lot of the ATV tires. Kind of a cross between a the multi-trac and ATV knobbies.

Here is what they look like

http://simpletire.com/kenda-k502-tires

We have a couple of pretty steep hills on the farm that happen to be around a spring and pond, so usually the bottoms can be a little soft which is where the turf tires like to plug up.

Hurst

Thanks for the pointer! I found your post. I have to agree that loading the tires makes a difference! I just am still worried I am going to have problems going up and down steep hills with the multi trac tires because the water in the tires will not keep them from plugging with mud, but maybe they will have enough weight being partially plugged to do much better on the hills around our pond/spring. Don't worry, it's not a bank straight into a pond. I would never put anyone on a mower near something like that. It's a hill that goes into a flat area about 25 ft wide before it hits a slight uphill and then the pond bank. So it's not like a sliding mower down the hill is going into the pond.

Hurst

Dixie Chopper's Turf Boss tires are great. They're not cheap but well worth the cost. Had them on my old Silver Eagle and my new Classic. Carlyle offers something similar at half the price.

I have 20x12-10's on my mower and I think they will take about 7 gallons of liquid each. I'm hoping that it will help. I will try and fill them and see what happens. The tires need to have some air taken out as well on mine. If you find ones that work let us know as I would like to see what others have had success with.

Unfortunately they don't seem to come in the 24x12-12 or 23x10.50-12 sizes that fit the 8.5x12 rim I have on my mower. Otherwise I would look into those.

Hurst

not being a smart a,, friend bought cheap ones, didn't last, you get what you pay for...