John Deere LT155 Tires

[gtojer]

Greetings all,
New on this forum. I have a LT155 which I am beefing up for my wife. Owned it for about 9 years. Just got some 38" Gator mulching blades, a new hood hinge and a steel bumper (a tree got in her way). The stock tires just don't have the grip she needs and am looking at some knobbier tires. So I am looking for recommendations. I am looking at these:
John Deere Gator HD Field Trax Tires - Titan Tires Store
John Deere Gator Turf Tamer Tires - Titan Tire Store

Also the stock size is 20x10-8, has anyone tried 22x11-8 or 22x10-8 tires? The taller tire should increase top speed a little over 6 from the stock 5.5. I don't think this would work with the 42" deck but I have the 38" deck. Has anyone tried the larger tire?

Jerry

 

[MBTRAC]

I've fitted my JD LT155's with Carlise Tyres (keeping within the standard 20x10-8' footprint) with great success to improve traction-

Number 1 is running SL (Super Lug & will just about climb mountains ! ), rather too agressive a bar style ag tyre patten for nomal lawn use, but I needed this mower specifically set up for max. stability/traction for mowing on damp clay soil around a undulating pond bank.

Number 2 runs Turf Masters, a commercial grade which seem to balance my traction/lawn demands on reasonably undulating/slippery terrain pretty well

Here's a link to the Carlise site which may assist:-
Carlisle Transportation Products

IMO - the tyre stores generally don't know much about mower tyres & seem to recommend product which they either have in stock or make the most margin on....

I'd also be cautious about upsizing tyres, as a little extra gain in speed will probably be compromised by increased loading on driveline through reduced transmission torque available from start up & reduce transmission life through increased heat/strain (the LT155 Hydro's whilst good in the model are little marginally under constant high heat applications, with life prolonged by regular oil chainging) - A 0.5 increase to 6mph doesn't sound much in theory, but as a minimum it is going to place c.10% demand/wear increase on all components...engine/driveline...etc..which is exponentially increases driveline loading with the reduced tranny torque available from start up.

Good luck & keep the thread updated with the tyres you purchase & how they perform.

 

[gtojer]

Ok, let me add one more variable - snow. How would turf master handle snow?

 

[MBTRAC]

Ok, let me add one more variable - snow. How would turf master handle snow?

Sorry can't help with that question, unfortunately no experience with snow running where I live, though I wish we too had our share of white winters (snow only occurs in a very few alpine resort areas "Down Under", though our family somewhat unusually for Aussie's quite often follows the winters across the world with much experience skiing & boarding locally & internationally) .

I'd guess the turf master in snow would be at best only reasonable, though you may be able get some local advice direct from Carlise, as I think between the lugs/tread pattern may ice up under constant snow running (would be fine with chains)