New tires M600

[kesslerkrazy]

Hi everyone, Time for new tires on my machine. It has 10x16.5 skid tires on now, but they are quite worn and old. Main thing I am concerned about is mud when I take my bees to the almond orchard in February. Depending on the year, it can get really sloppy. I know the machine will have limitations, but I'm trying to prepare as best as I can for the mud. Was looking at Carlisle Trac Chief XT Skid Steer Tires. Heard some good reviews online, and they are around $600 shipped. Also going to probably get some chains for the tires, but can't afford tracks at moment. Machine will be running primarily on the front 2 tires, as the rears will be off the ground and on the tail wheel most of the time. So any buddy have opinion on tires for mud? Or chains for tires. Saw 2 link chains that go on each individual tire, and also just saw tractiontracks which look more like chain tracks, also much cheaper than other tracks. Thanks!

 

[SkidRoe]

IMHO - There really are not tires that are superior to others in mud. Tire chains may be an asset, but if you are repeatedly driving through the same wheel tracks, they will continue to deepen the more times you drive them, until you bottom out (in really muddy conditions).
Tires with deeper tread on a skidsteer are a double edged sword: they may get more traction, but they will also dig in more when turning. If your machine has a pivoting tail wheel, this may not be as much of a problem, but not having all drive wheels on the ground will limit your traction.
I don't know if I answered your question....
Cheers - SR

 

[6brnorma]

IMHO - There really are not tires that are superior to others in mud. Tire chains may be an asset, but if you are repeatedly driving through the same wheel tracks, they will continue to deepen the more times you drive them, until you bottom out (in really muddy conditions).
Tires with deeper tread on a skidsteer are a double edged sword: they may get more traction, but they will also dig in more when turning. If your machine has a pivoting tail wheel, this may not be as much of a problem, but not having all drive wheels on the ground will limit your traction.
I don't know if I answered your question....
Cheers - SR

I have used several different "bobcat" tire makes through the years and all have preformed well because we are almost always on dirt (with bees) and using a 5th wheel. Chains will work but only with smaller tire sizes...."floatation" type tires don't leave enough clearance between the tire and the body and sometimes even between the two tires. Smaller tire sizes don't work in sand....with or without chains so I have settled on the largest "floatations" type tire I can get......16.5 X 12 .... even though it is on a 10" rim. Don't get too tall or there will be no clearance between the front and rear tires. The "5th" wheel is nothing more than a "boat anchor" in mud or sand. If you want to really piss a grower off....tear up his freshly bladed orchard roads with tire chains or flotation tires. Get the work done when it is dry enough not to do damage. Weather channel is a big help.

 

[kesslerkrazy]

I have used several different "bobcat" tire makes through the years and all have preformed well because we are almost always on dirt (with bees) and using a 5th wheel. Chains will work but only with smaller tire sizes...."floatation" type tires don't leave enough clearance between the tire and the body and sometimes even between the two tires. Smaller tire sizes don't work in sand....with or without chains so I have settled on the largest "floatations" type tire I can get......16.5 X 12 .... even though it is on a 10" rim. Don't get too tall or there will be no clearance between the front and rear tires. The "5th" wheel is nothing more than a "boat anchor" in mud or sand. If you want to really piss a grower off....tear up his freshly bladed orchard roads with tire chains or flotation tires. Get the work done when it is dry enough not to do damage. Weather channel is a big help.

That is what I need to know. One of the other questions I had was fitting 16.5 x 12 on the 10 inch rim. I will go with that combo. Last thing I want to do is tear up the orchard, but I want to do everything I can for good traction. I will be watching the weather too. Thanks