[AT] [SEL] Aussie tractors across the USA

[Larry Goss]

That explanation is pretty good, Charlie.  There are certain applications where the wheel treads need to be reversed so you get better traction or less disturbance to the soil.  If you look at whether the traction needs to roll the wheel vs. move the equipment, it will give you help in knowing which way to have the tread face.  Un-powered front wheels work better with the tread reversed.  Powered tiller tires work best with the tread reversed (the tires are typically holding the tiller back, instead of powering it forward), etc.  But if you are running a counter-rotating tiller, the tires should face in the standard direction.  Often snowblowers work better with the treads reversed.  Ground traction farm equipment runs with the treads reversed (ground-powered manure spreaders, seeders.)

IMHO, What doesn't make sense is ANY use of turf tires.  I know, I know--- I've heard all the arguments about ruts in the sod, damage to the thatch, etc, etc, etc -- all BS.  When push comes to shove, turf tires have nearly 60% slippage.  That means they cause you to spend more time mowing your grass, and you always use more gas when using turf tires.  You can save 25% on mowing time and gasoline usage by changing out the OEM turf tires with low lug high-flotation tires, and your grass will stop suffering from friction burn caused by the tires.  In this day and age of ZTR mowers, that's a significant change in operating cost and the health of your lawn.

Please note that I'm not advocating using aggressive ag lugs on lawnmowers, but even those tires are probably better than turf tires. 

Let the flames begin.  I have run the "experiment" to back up my claims.  I ran a large L&G tractor with a 60-inch deck on it for 10 years before exchanging the turf tires for low lug high-flotation ones.  It was the only change made to the mowing equipment, and I got the changes I'm talking about.

Larry


----- Original Message -----
From: charliehill <charliehill at embarqmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 5:38
Subject: Re: [AT] [SEL] Aussie tractors across the USA
To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>

> Dave, there is less rolling resistance with them turned 
> backwards.  Keep an 
> eye out for fertilizer spreader trucks.  Many of them are 2 
> wheel drive. 
> They run fat directional tires on the rear with the tread turned 
> the way we 
> have them on our tractors.  They run fat directional tires 
> on the front 
> turned around backwards.  The guys tell me they roll easier 
> that way and are 
> less inclinded to slide or skid since the ground is pushing them 
> to turn 
> rather than the tires pushing into the ground.  Hope that 
> makes sense.
> 
> Charlie Hill
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dave Merchant" <kosh at ncweb.com>
> To: "The SEL email discussion list" <sel at lists.stationary-
> engine.com>Cc: "Antique tractor email discussion group" 
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 9:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] [SEL] Aussie tractors across the USA
> 
> 
> > I've seen this before, with the rear tires (tyres) on backward.
> >
> > Some say that this gives better tyre (tire) wear on the road.
> >
> > http://www.chamberlain9g.org.au/galleries/restoration/8.jpg
> >
> > Any thoughts about this?
> >
> > Dave Merchant
> >
> >
> > At 06:39 PM 8/3/2009, you wrote:
> >>Something that most Australian members are probably unaware of 
> . A group
> >>of members from the Chamberlain 9G  Tractor Club in West 
> Australia are at
> >>the moment driving their tractors across the USA . These 
> blokes are from
> >>Ongerup and the Porongerups here in West Australia .The group 
> consists>>of  five  9 G's and camper vans .........if 
> any of you blokes in the US
> >>see  the distinctive orange coloured tractors  say'' 
> G'day''.>>_______________________________________________
> >>SEL mailing list
> >>SEL at lists.stationary-engine.com
> >>http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/sel
> >
> > Dave Merchant
> > kosh at nesys.com
> > nesys_com at ameritech.net
> > dmerchant at layerzero.com
> >
> > http://www.nesys.com
> > http://www.nesys.org
> > YouTube: SteamCrane
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AT mailing list
> > http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at 
> 
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