JD GT245 tires

bluedogz said:

My yard ox/wood hauler is my 2004 Deere GT245. I haven't changed tires on it since purchase.

While mowing, the front end has started to "push" a lot while turning, meaning increased turning radius and sliding sideways on hills a bit.

Do these tires get changed like dirt bike tires? Like, get new tires, remove old with spoons, pop new one on, etc.?

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Its a pita to change. Consult weekendfreedommachines.com for any answers you may have on your JD

I don't think the tires will do that, sounds more like the rear end is locked up, not allowing the differential to work like it should.

mike van said:

I don't think the tires will do that, sounds more like the rear end is locked up, not allowing the differential to work like it should.

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I disagree. With bald front tires a GT tractor WILL push the front end around, especially when running uphill on uneven ground. It does feel a lot like a locked Diff though.

bluedogz said:

My yard ox/wood hauler is my 2004 Deere GT245. I haven't changed tires on it since purchase.

While mowing, the front end has started to "push" a lot while turning, meaning increased turning radius and sliding sideways on hills a bit.

Do these tires get changed like dirt bike tires? Like, get new tires, remove old with spoons, pop new one on, etc.?

Click to expand...

I think my 1984? JD 420 has the original front tires. They really don't wear down much always being on grass/ dirt.

You must be running some mad hours on pavement to be wearing out front tires on a 2wd lawn tractor in less than 10 years. My 4wd JD 855 was used commercially for most of its life, and is still wearing its original rear turf tires.

I put 80-90 hours per year on a Husqvarna 2354GXLS which is similar to a GT245. It's in it's sixth cutting season, and I just had a third set of front tires (Carlisle Turf Master 16x6.5-8) put on it. The rear tires are original and are nowhere close to being worn out. I'm not commercial, but I cut a lot on a farm. On one end of a field, I turn around on a blacktop driveway--I think that's where a lot of the tread wear happens. With this new set, I've been making a point to change some of my bad habits like making high speed turns and tight turns.

I don't have the time or a nifty changing station for tires, so I take the old wheels off my lawn tractor and drop them off at a local tire service center. They don't carry the lawn tires I like, so I give them the tires and tubes I purchase online.

80-90 hours per season is a lot for a non-pro user!

I guess I'm just used to commercial equipment, but I'd be mighty upset if I didn't get at least 1500 hours out of a set of tires. Then again, maybe that's why my used CUT (1986 Deere) came with new tires on front and originals on the rear. It had 900 hours at that time.

I was always told do not skimp on the front tires they take a lot of abuse. Rears do not matter as much. If you can change dirt bike tires, these should be easy.

You guys must mow a lot faster than me, my 285 has 2300 hours on it, one front is original, the other replaced with a used one a few years ago. I mow a few grades steep enough that if I don't shift my weight over the higher rear wheel, it'll spin out. Yet, I don't have any problem turning.

I'll also replace the three front rollers on the mower deck this year. Actually I should have done that last year.