Tires and front springs

[alabama pat]

I have a Z520A mower.It is a little on the small side for what I mow,but it will have to do for now.I have been having a few issues with the steering for the past year and the dealer can find nothing wrong.He suggested that the tires may be spinning when I try to backup a small incline,and that there is nothing wrong with the pumps etc..
That said,I have some back issues and would like to improve the ride of this machine.The present tires seem to tear the turf when I make a sharp turn,or when I trim arould small trees and bushes.There is some wear on the edges and the sides have been rounded some.
Can I go to a large and wider tire using the same rims,or will I have to buy a complete setup,tire and rim?Will a larger and wider tire improve the ride and the steering?
Along the same line,I was at a local turf shop yesterday and saw a new Dixie Chopper.It had a springer front wheel in the front of the machine.It also had larger wheels in the front then the ones on my mower.Does John Deere have something like this available? and how much would the springer front improve the ride on my machine?

Thanks
Pat

 

[reynoldston]

Ferris has a spring suspension. You might want to look at them.

 

[alabama pat]

Ferris has a spring suspension. You might want to look at them.

I am not looking to buy a new machine,just improve the ride of the one I have.I do like the look of the front end on the Ferris.That is the type of springer fron end that I am looking to up grade to using after market parts if I could locate them.
Any ideas regarding the tire issue?

 

[Ridin' Green]

Almost two years ago, JD announced that they were bringing out their own version of flex forks. They have had a ton of issues during field trials and R&D, so now it looks like the entire thing will be scrapped. I have been waiting on them ever since they announced them. This is becoming all too common from JD. Set you front tires to 15 psi, and your rears to 12 (10 is a good alternative) I have owned those same front wheels and tires on a Z720A, and those pressures I just posted work the best for ride and comfort, yet won't allow the fronts to pop off the rim accidentally. They also happen to be the pressures my manual suggested, and after trying several different pressures, I went back to those. I have their run flats on my Z950A now, and I am considering putting the ones like you have back on the front since I liked the way they rode so much. They, along with my seat suspension kit makes for a good ride.

 

[alabama pat]

Almost two years ago, JD announced that they were bringing out their own version of flex forks. They have had a ton of issues during field trials and R&D, so now it looks like the entire thing will be scrapped. I have been waiting on them ever since they announced them. This is becoming all too common from JD. Set you front tires to 15 psi, and your rears to 12 (10 is a good alternative) I have owned those same front wheels and tires on a Z720A, and those pressures I just posted work the best for ride and comfort, yet won't allow the fronts to pop off the rim accidentally. They also happen to be the pressures my manual suggested, and after trying several different pressures, I went back to those. I have their run flats on my Z950A now, and I am considering putting the ones like you have back on the front since I liked the way they rode so much. They, along with my seat suspension kit makes for a good ride.

Thanks Ridin'Green,

I did stop by the local dealer today for a fuel filter and while there I again inquired as to the tire issue.The guy I spoke to this time took a few minutes with me,and then pulled me aside.He informed that several local towns had also had the same issues that I had mentioned to him,and someone suggested they go with a larger tire,and suggest a 23x10.5 x12,up from a 22x9.5x12.He also said that I should look at an ATV style lug tire.That would resolve the tire spin,and the larger tire would soften the ride.He could not tell me that as a JD employee,but he added they did not do any tire work.

He also was aware of the scrapped redesign of the springer front end,and had no suggestions in that regard.

Thanks for the input.

Patrick

 

[Nwatson99]

Almost two years ago, JD announced that they were bringing out their own version of flex forks. They have had a ton of issues during field trials and R&D, so now it looks like the entire thing will be scrapped. I have been waiting on them ever since they announced them. This is becoming all too common from JD. Set you front tires to 15 psi, and your rears to 12 (10 is a good alternative) I have owned those same front wheels and tires on a Z720A, and those pressures I just posted work the best for ride and comfort, yet won't allow the fronts to pop off the rim accidentally. They also happen to be the pressures my manual suggested, and after trying several different pressures, I went back to those. I have their run flats on my Z950A now, and I am considering putting the ones like you have back on the front since I liked the way they rode so much. They, along with my seat suspension kit makes for a good ride.

RG where do you get the front tires where we can control air pressure with, can we get them at JD dealership?

 

[Ridin' Green]

RG where do you get the front tires where we can control air pressure with, can we get them at JD dealership?

Yes. The tires and wheels from a JD Z710/720 or the new 915B are all the same, and will fit the forks of the 900 series. They are a bit smaller in width, but they ride very nice compared to the run flats that come on them.