Non-Ribbed Front Tire Option

[jasondepinto]

Does anybody run non-ribbed tires in the front of their Cub? If so, what tire do you use? I’d like to find a 4.00-12 tire that doesn’t have the tri-ribs. I’ve heard they can groove up the grass pretty good, and definitely don’t want that. I’ve seen some 4.00-12 “scooter” tires online, with a radial tread, but not sure if these would work on a Cub rim. For that matter, what sizes of tire will fit on a stock Cub front?

So what’s everybody running? Wish I could find some radial tread tires with the “pie crust” sidewalls. That would be awesome.

[Drfting1]

My cub used to have 5.30-12 trailer tires on the front, they were pretty easy on the lawn, could also try 4.80-12 tires

[Scrivet]

To answer the question, 4.80x12 are common trailer tires and fit fine. To address the "groove up the grass" issue, if you make sharp turns at higher speeds you are more likely to tear up the yard. Higher speeds are Cub relative and mean full throttle or second gear. You can also groove up the yard by driving on it when the ground is overly wet. Those will usually work their way out on their own unless you get a prolonged dry spell right after a good rain. Everything is a degree of severity; how wet is the ground, how fast are you turning, and what your tolerance level for lawn imperfections is?

[Drfting1]

https://www.palmettospecialtytire.com/l ... e-c-6-ply/ this was the tire I was thinking about replacing the old ones with before deciding to go with ribbed for better traction

[Drfting1]

These are the tires I went with, lawn hates them, but have the traction I was looking for along with the original look

[tst]

carlise makes the 4.00-12 that is made for the grass without beating up your grass

[Cub-Bud]

I have 400-12 Carlilse ribbed implement tires on my '55 Cub Lo-Boy.

[Jim Becker]

ME Miller carries a Carlisle 4.00-12 5-rib implement tire. (This is probably the same tire tst mentioned.)

[1541]

I have purchased a front R4 tire from Simple tire before. Free shipping. The company links the inventory of several independent tire dealers and they ship from the closest available dealer.

Doug

https://simpletire.com/carlisle-412-518277-tires

[Gary S.]

Been running 400x12 Carlisle for years - back then they were labeled Agri Implement. You need to keep the pressures up otherwise they will dig in on turns.

[Lt.Mike]

carlise makes the 4.00-12 that is made for the grass without beating up your grass

How does that compare in price to a trailer tire?
My Lo-Boy had trailer tires on the front that did zero harm to the lawn. I had to switch to tri rib for plowing snow as the trailer tires were horrible when it came as me to steering in the snow. The tri-rib do leave tracks in the lawn to compliment those left by the ag rear tires but the lawn gets over it.

[Glen]

Hi,
Below is a page from the Cub parts manual, showing a LoBoy with lawn type tires, in the upper pic.
The front tires have 5 ribs, I think.

http://www.farmallcub.info/manuals/cub_ ... 000-14.jpg

Below is a page from the 1965 Cub operator's manual, with front tire info, and recommended inflation pressures, at the lower right of the page.
IH shows them to be I-1, rib implement front tires.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-49.jpg

This page below from the same manual shows rear tire info, and recommended inflation pressures.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-50.jpg

[jasondepinto]

That second link is interesting Glen. It talks about a Spark Plug Pump to air up the tires! Very cool.