[AT] [SEL] Aussie tractors across the USA

[Mark Greer]

So my old Troy Bilt Horse might work better with the ag treads reversed? I'm 
going to feel really dumb if I've been running them the "standard" direction 
since about 1977 and they would have worked better reversed. I think I'll 
switch direction on them this weekend and see how it works. I need to till 
up a spot to move some flowers into temporarily (til spring).
Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Goss" <rlgoss at insightbb.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] [SEL] Aussie tractors across the USA


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