[Cutter LLC]

Okay, I have a super mini z with the 20" rear tires and just found out the new 12" rim and 23" tires will fit. I think this might put too much pressure on the front casters giving a poor ride ( the exact opposite effect I want ). Can I/should I get larger caster tires to compensate, or will the added weight in the front not have a heavy effect? The tires are coming in Thurs. and just wanted some feed back on this issue. Has anybody changed out their rear 20" tires on a super mini z? I can readjust the pitch of the deck by adding another link in the chain and adjusting accordingly. I hope someone has tried and succeeded in this project already.

Thanks Cutter LLC :help:

 

[Cutter LLC]

bumpity bump

 

[Cutter LLC]

Please help, thanks

 

[DLS1]

Post this in the Hustler forum and you should get an answer. I thought Mowerconsultant said it wouldn't work.

 

[lawncare4u]

I think you would probably have to change the front also,or you would not get a even cut.........only speclating...........but I think that is what would hapen!

 

[Cutter LLC]

Mower consultant said the 23" wheels and tires wouldn't fit due to clearance, but was misinformed. They do fit there is no question. I even drove the mower around a bit and noticed a little stiffer ride. I was just wondering if anybody else has done this mod or maybe put 26" tires on a 24" unit. Did you change the front? Did it make a difference? I think I might just be able to slide some larger front tires in the front forks, but there might be a clearance issue there. I wonder.....................

Thanks,
Cutter

 

[DLS1]

Looks like you might be the first to try it. How much did the set of tires cost you? Let us know how it works out with the ride, cut ,etc.

 

[lwcmattlifter]

What's that going to do to your deck pitch?

 

[Cutter LLC]

Directly from hustler the rims and tires were about 400 bucks but my dealer ordered them for 220. I don't know where but I'll find out.

As far as deck pitch this is also a problem. It can be adjusted, but I don't know how much. I was thinking of adding another link in the chain (floating deck) but it needs to be an odd number of links (5 now). I think 2 more links would have too much play in the deck. If I raised the front as well, with larger tires, the deck would probably be at the right pitch, but would raise my overall cut height from 1-5" to 2-6". This would actually be preferred due to cutting at 3.25" or higher all the time, and being able to cut down the tall stuff easier. I just don't know what tires to fit the front. Right now they are 13 x 5 on a 6inch rim. Maybe I can take the entire front fork off a super Z.

Just trying to create a super duper mini z

Thanks guys for all your help. I'll post some pics if I'm not too embarrassed later (It looks like a drag mower with the rear wheels soo big)

Cutter

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Little easier to converse here....

Yeah, the 'drag mower' effect is what I was speaking of.
Now that I know we are on the same page with this... which deck do you have?


Anyways, remember that running low pressures out back will help shave some off of the 1.5" lift you may end up with in back. Higher air pressures out front will help a little towards leveling the frame rake. But not a lot, and the ride will be harsher.

But incorrect frame rake may also throw the machine out of balance, making the ride rougher and affecting the smooth control of the machine. Remember that raising the rear also changes the caster fork rake.... You get into all sorts of unknowns and speculations there that will be hard to know about fully until the 23's are actually mounted.

Anyways, assuming low running low pressure puts you at 1" high in the back, then going from a 13" front tire to a 15" front tire would level you out just right at 1" higher all the way around. As for sources, Gravely is one MFG that runs 15's out front on many of their Z's. But I'm doubting you have the clearances for it.

You may end up being forced to custom front forks.... which could be fabricated to still use the current 13" tires. They would just need to be the correct fork rake angle and otherwise the same as your current forks, but be 1" taller or whatever you need at the SHAFT. Understand what I'm saying?

Maybe the Super Z forks would put you there. I don't know. You'd have to check them. If so you could just order 2 full assemblies with the forks, wheels, tires and all. That would be nice if it would happen to measure right and also interchange.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

You may end up being forced to custom front forks.... which could be fabricated to still use the current 13" tires. They would just need to be the correct fork rake angle and otherwise the same as your current forks, but be 1" taller or whatever you need at the SHAFT. Understand what I'm saying?

Though of a better way of saying it I think...

OK looking at your whole removeable fork assembly...

What I mean is imagine if you were the fabricator and you did the following...

You cut the welds that hold the actual fork to the L section that the shaft is welded to.
Now in one hand you have the fork and in the other you have the shaft with the L on bottom.

Now if you cut that L off the shaft and rebuilt that section taller, you would have it.

But of course this wouldn't de the ideal way to go about it. But it helps you understand where the fork assembly needs to be taller 'at'....

So then, if need be, you remove this fork and take it to a fabricator to have one built identical to it in every way, but with a 1.5" hunk of steel between the L and the shaft.... just as an example.

After looking at the Super Z fork, I'd say the height is there. But I do not believe the forks will interchange. The bearing area is much taller on it than the mini.

 

[Cutter LLC]

I noticed the same thing about the bearing height.....DRATS

I think I might have clearance if I can find a bigger tire with the same width 5".

14" would definitely clear and 15" might. Only time will tell I guess. The only tires I have found have been 14 x 4.5 or 15 x 6.5 either of which would not fit the forks I currently have. Custom forks sounds like a huge expense but I dunno.

The deck is the shallow mini z deck 4" deep I believe. After all is said and done I might even try to swap it out for the 54" super walk behind deck, but that's several months and headaches down the road. I hope I can just slide some tires on here and wam bam thank you mam I'll be done. We all know how that usually turns out though.

If any body has a link for the correct tire size I would appreciate this

Thanks,
Cutter

 

[Cutter LLC]

Just an update I put 15 x 6 tires on the front and the 23" on the back. Man that thing looks like it's on roids. It only raised me an 1" to 1.5" in the back. Rides great, extra inch of cutting height, and it looks awesome. The most compact beefy mower I have ever seen. I also gained 2mph with the larger rear tires from 13 to 15mph. I would post pictures but I can't figure out how to resize them. Thanks everyone especially Envy. I can be happy all over again with my machine. If you have a super mini with the 20" rears I would suggest this upgrade immediately. Less than 300 dollars total.


Thanks again
Cutter LLC

If anyone wants to resize these pics I can e-mail them to you :drinkup:

 

[DLS1]

Just an update I put 15 x 6 tires on the front and the 23" on the back. Man that thing looks like it's on roids. It only raised me an 1" to 1.5" in the back. Rides great, extra inch of cutting height, and it looks awesome. The most compact beefy mower I have ever seen. I also gained 2mph with the larger rear tires from 13 to 15mph. I would post pictures but I can't figure out how to resize them. Thanks everyone especially Envy. I can be happy all over again with my machine. If you have a super mini with the 20" rears I would suggest this upgrade immediately. Less than 300 dollars total.

Thanks again
Cutter LLC

If anyone wants to resize these pics I can e-mail them to you :drinkup:

This will help you resize your photo files. http://www.resize2mail.com/

All you did was add the new tires on the front and back?

How do you know what height you are mowing at now? If you set the pin at 3" HEIGHT is it really cutting at 4"? How is the ride now?

 

[dwost]

Pics please

 

[Cutter LLC]

All you did was add the new tires on the front and back?

How do you know what height you are mowing at now? If you set the pin at 3" HEIGHT is it really cutting at 4"? How is the ride now?

All I did is replace the front tires with 15 x 6" tires and the back with 12" rims and 23" tires. They barely cleared and you are exactly right about the cutting height. I had to pitch the deck 1/2" down more in the back.

The only draw backs are:

I have to watch those front tires (if I spin too fast they actually are the ones tearing the turf not the rears)

When cutting below 3" I engage the blades with the deck all the way up and then lower the deck to prevent belt slippage

I have to watch out for the speed difference. 2mph doesn't seem like much unless you've been riding at 13 for a couple of years

The ride is great now comparable to a full size Z but with the advantages of the mini. The front tires look even bigger in person. I think they're the same ones on the big diesel

 

[splatz100]

that thing is a beast!!

are the rear rims similar to the Lazer Z's??

 

[Cutter LLC]

I don't know if they are the same as the lazers but they are the ones on the current mini as well as the full size z's. I would guess that they are similar. The trim side wheel is flipped to help with stripping and stance. The beastly thing is those huge front tires, but it still fits on small residentials easy. I like this set up better than the current mini 15 mph over 13, bigger front tires, 2-6" cutting height as opposed to 1-5" and better clearance for trailers and curbs. I really like my super duper mini z. Thanks man, for the reply.

Cutter LLC

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Congrats Cutter and you are very welcome.

I'm surprised but glad that the 15" fronts fit. Honestly, you will find those to be one of the better all around assets than the rears. You won't have so much bump steer and such a bouncy ride out of the front. Plus they are less likely to wedge in rough terrain and make curb hopping and such much easier.

However, if you are getting front turf tears that tells me you must be a good 1/2" or better high in the rear, which is shifting more weight to the front. This is something you do not need on hills. Plus it's not something you need with 15" front tires either. Understand that since they are taller and have a larger rolling diameter that they will ride better.... but also understand that a larger rolling diameter also means they have a longer front to back contact patch with the ground. So since these tires literally turn on a dime they will tend to be more likely to twist in the turf. This is basically the same effect as when you sat still on your bike as a kid and twisted little divots in the dirt/sand by turning th front tire back and forth.

So my question to you about still being high in the back is what rear tire pressure did you stop at?


Oh and I also notice you must have reversed the left wheel to widen the rear track width?

 

[Cutter LLC]

I was in total shock. My dealer said he had a surprise for me when I picked up my mower and boy was he right. There is only maybe a 1/4" clearance between the tire and fork as well as the tire and anti-scalping wheels. By the skin of my teeth.

8 psi in the back can't go any lower. Ride is a ton better but I still need to slow down on the zturns. I took the unit on a ditch I cut about 30 degrees and it was just fine so no worries there. Thank God I live Indiana (flat as a board). I couldn't be happier (kiss of death).

I switched the trim side tire for stripping to prevent the blurred affect, and the wider stance helps tremendously.

Thanks again Envy and all of you for your support, analyst, and answers

Cutter LLC