The time had come

[TheOldHokie]

At 475 hours the original Titan SS fronts on my L3901 were done. Those tires have been superceded by Titan SS II which retail for $175. I decided to give these EuroGrip SS tires a try. Black Friday sale price was half off at $75 each!! Hard to go wrong at that price.

Dan

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Hello Dan,

what is the situation with changing only front tyres in four wheel drive? The diameter is a good few percent bigger now than before. Does that not cause any problems? Although on a hard surface it is two wheel drive anyway, I suppose.

Kind regards,
Hugo

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hello Dan,

what is the situation with changing only front tyres in four wheel drive? The diameter is a good few percent bigger now than before. Does that not cause any problems? Although on a hard surface it is two wheel drive anyway, I suppose.

Kind regards,
Hugo

It causes no problems. The tires are sized by the OEM to match the lead on the tractor when new As the tires wear the lead is reduced making it closer to neutral.

In my case the tractor is operated full time in 4WD even on pavement which simply causes the fronts to wear faster

Dan

 

[NCL4701]

Was wondering how you managed to wear the fronts out in 475 hours. 4WD on pavement explains it assuming a good percentage of those hours are on pavement.

You have any concerns about stress on the driveline routinely running 4WD on pavement?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Was wondering how you managed to wear the fronts out in 475 hours. 4WD on pavement explains it assuming a good percentage of those hours are on pavement.

You have any concerns about stress on the driveline routinely running 4WD on pavement?

Zero concerns. All it does is modestly increase the load on the front differential gears I am sure thats well within the operational design limits of the gearbox. If its not the engineers are not doing their job.

Da

 

[jimh406]

At 475 hours the original Titan SS fronts on my L3901 were done.

I only have about half what you have. What do you think we're doing to wear the fronts that much. Mine look about new still.

Maybe it's the temperature difference I don't use it much when it is really hot.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I only have about half what you have. What do you think we're doing to wear the fronts that much. Mine look about new still.

Maybe it's the temperature difference I don't use it much when it is really hot.

4WD + pavement. The rears look like new.

Dan

 

[jimh406]

4WD + pavement. The rears look like new.

Barely any pavement around here. Must be it.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Barely any pavement around here. Must be it.

I just added more in October

Dan

 

[bobnic]

It causes no problems. The tires are sized by the OEM to match the lead on the tractor when new As the tires wear the lead is reduced making it closer to neutral.

In my case the tractor is operated full time in 4WD even on pavement which simply causes the fronts to wear faster

Dan

Okay, I'll be the one that asks the question. Why is the tractor operated full time in 4WD even on pavement?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Okay, I'll be the one that asks the question. Why is the tractor operated full time in 4WD even on pavement?

Because 4WD is essential when operating on grass. In normal operation its constantly on and off and switching back and forth is impractical.

Dan

 

[Kennyd4110]

Okay, I'll be the one that asks the question. Why is the tractor operated full time in 4WD even on pavement?

I was going to ask the same question.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I was going to ask the same question.

Same answer.

 

[bobnic]

Because 4WD is essential when operating on grass. In normal operation its constantly on and off and switching back and forth is impractical.

Dan

That begs the question as to why 4WD is essential when operating on grass. I almost never use 4WD on grass since it tends to tear it up when turning. Perhaps you have steep hills with grass that makes it necessary.

 

[TheOldHokie]

That begs the question as to why 4WD is essential when operating on grass. I almost never use 4WD on grass since it tends to tear it up when turning. Perhaps you have steep hills with grass that makes it necessary.

You answered your own question.

Dan

 

[bobnic]

I would not have needed to ask and answer my own question had your original statement that 4WD is essential when operating on grass (which is generally not true) been more specific about operating on steep grass. Even so you must turn at some point and do some damage, but that's just the price you pay for the traction where you need it.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I would not have needed to ask and answer my own question had your original statement that 4WD is essential when operating on grass (which is generally not true) been more specific about operating on steep grass. Even so you must turn at some point and do some damage, but that's just the price you pay for the traction where you need it.

This whole exchange could have been avoided had you not felt compelled to question my decision making.

My life is more important to me than some skid marks in the lawn and the cost of some tires. In the last 35 years I have had more than one runaway event. If you have never experienced one you dont know what you are missing.

Dan