P500 Turf tires for my 520?

[Moark Willy]

I just joined this forum a few minutes ago so I apologize if I missed anything.
I have had my 520 for a couple of years now and it is my work machine around the property and my fun machine when I am not working.
It's perfect for what I want or need to do, even getting the mail is fun.
But one thing that is a bit annoying is the limited slip differential.
I use the machine primarily on my lawn for lawn maintenance. I have 5 acres with trees and misc. buildings and it is just great for what I do.
But the differential will easily tear up dew laden morning grass so I find myself not using it as much as I would like.
I'm thinking of getting some turf tires for it to eliminate damaging the grass, or at least minimizing the impact the SXS has on the lawn.
Has anyone run across this and tried a tire swap to help with the problem?
I'd like to put the widest tires I can on the stock rims to lower the weight of the individual tire foot print.
Traction isn't really an issue for me since the grounds are a bit hilly but nothing to drastically steep.
And I am fairly confident that the 4 wheel drive will alleviate any problems.
Am I headed in the right direction?
Thanks for any insight you can share.

 

[Admin]

 

[The Green Goat]

I haven't bought any for mine, yet, but when I do it'll probably be a set of these. No first hand experience, but I would imagine they'd work.

 

[Fatsquatch]

I just joined this forum a few minutes ago so I apologize if I missed anything.
I have had my 520 for a couple of years now and it is my work machine around the property and my fun machine when I am not working.
It's perfect for what I want or need to do, even getting the mail is fun.
But one thing that is a bit annoying is the limited slip differential.
I use the machine primarily on my lawn for lawn maintenance. I have 5 acres with trees and misc. buildings and it is just great for what I do.
But the differential will easily tear up dew laden morning grass so I find myself not using it as much as I would like.
I'm thinking of getting some turf tires for it to eliminate damaging the grass, or at least minimizing the impact the SXS has on the lawn.
Has anyone run across this and tried a tire swap to help with the problem?
I'd like to put the widest tires I can on the stock rims to lower the weight of the individual tire foot print.
Traction isn't really an issue for me since the grounds are a bit hilly but nothing to drastically steep.
And I am fairly confident that the 4 wheel drive will alleviate any problems.
Am I headed in the right direction?
Thanks for any insight you can share.

It’s a locked rear end so you’re going to get tire scrub but from your post I suspect you already know this. Less aggressive tires and wider arcs on your turns will help. I wouldn’t expect it to eliminate it though.

The bigger Pioneer 1000 has turf mode which unlocks the rear end. Obviously changing to the bigger and more expensive machine isn’t what you’re asking here so please merely take it as additional info. I’m not saying you must go buy one. 👍🏻

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Moark Willy]

It’s a locked rear end so you’re going to get tire scrub but from your post I suspect you already know this. Less aggressive tires and wider arcs on your turns will help. I wouldn’t expect it to eliminate it though.

The bigger Pioneer 1000 has turf mode which unlocks the rear end. Obviously changing to the bigger and more expensive machine isn’t what you’re asking here so please merely take it as additional info. I’m not saying you must go buy one. 👍🏻

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the comments.
Originally I was looking for a Mule which does have a differential control to unlock it.
They were unavailable at the time so I started looking at the Pioneer. As it is it took me about 6 months for Honda to finally get one in stock. You are correct about the bigger machine....it wouldn't be something I would consider with my current needs.
I do like the Honda quite a bit except for the issues I mentioned. I am familiar with the term scrubbing from my days working at a nature park. We had Gators and a couple of Prowlers that were rough on the terrain as well.
I do not expect to eliminate the problem completely.....but I think that a wider, turf tread may help considerably.
I sometimes think that with the stock tires you could climb trees.
I am trying to avoid making the purchase just to find out it isn't going to help.

 

[Fatsquatch]

Thanks for the comments.
Originally I was looking for a Mule which does have a differential control to unlock it.
They were unavailable at the time so I started looking at the Pioneer. As it is it took me about 6 months for Honda to finally get one in stock. You are correct about the bigger machine....it wouldn't be something I would consider with my current needs.
I do like the Honda quite a bit except for the issues I mentioned. I am familiar with the term scrubbing from my days working at a nature park. We had Gators and a couple of Prowlers that were rough on the terrain as well.
I do not expect to eliminate the problem completely.....but I think that a wider, turf tread may help considerably.
I sometimes think that with the stock tires you could climb trees.
I am trying to avoid making the purchase just to find out it isn't going to help.

I appreciate your dilemma and I hope someone with similar real word experience you're looking for responds. I know I have seen some conversations about it but no one has seemed to say I bought X tires and the results are great. If you do try something please come back and update the post to help the next guy. 🤘🏻

That said, No doubt in my mind that a less aggressive tire will help. Will it help enough to satisfy your money spent is likely only something you’ll be able to answer after you’ve spent the money.

Ag tires vs turf tires on a mower is the same conversation. But keep in mind the SxS is 1,000-ish pounds. An average box store riding mower is a lot less than that. I’d guess 500-ish pounds. It won’t give you the entire story but it will give you an additional point of reference for your decision before you spend the money if you are already using one. Just a thought.

 

[Red500]

Unfortunately, I have no useful information to add, but
Welcome to the club from East.

 

[CaboJim]

I myself use my P500 for yardwork. I have two acres of grass. I found that if I make wider turns it doesn't tear up the sod.

 

[JACKAL]

I just joined this forum a few minutes ago so I apologize if I missed anything.
I have had my 520 for a couple of years now and it is my work machine around the property and my fun machine when I am not working.
It's perfect for what I want or need to do, even getting the mail is fun.
But one thing that is a bit annoying is the limited slip differential.
I use the machine primarily on my lawn for lawn maintenance. I have 5 acres with trees and misc. buildings and it is just great for what I do.
But the differential will easily tear up dew laden morning grass so I find myself not using it as much as I would like.
I'm thinking of getting some turf tires for it to eliminate damaging the grass, or at least minimizing the impact the SXS has on the lawn.
Has anyone run across this and tried a tire swap to help with the problem?
I'd like to put the widest tires I can on the stock rims to lower the weight of the individual tire foot print.
Traction isn't really an issue for me since the grounds are a bit hilly but nothing to drastically steep.
And I am fairly confident that the 4 wheel drive will alleviate any problems.
Am I headed in the right direction?
Thanks for any insight you can share.

Welcome to the forum! Though tires may make some difference, as other pointed out the rear end is locked full time and will tear up grass. What you need is a Honda Pioneer 1000-3 with Turf Mode and you will be turf damage free.

 

[The Green Goat]

Where's the guy that made an unlockable axle for the p5?

 

[Fatsquatch]

Where's the guy that made an unlockable axle for the p5?

He trashed the project. Said it ended up being a scary ride.

 

[JACKAL]

Where's the guy that made an unlockable axle for the p5?

Ya mean @DaddyDubbs those were just broke portals at the Takeover

 

[Fatsquatch]

Ya mean @DaddyDubbs those were just broke portals at the Takeover

Chooglin made a legit prototype

 

[The Green Goat]

He trashed the project. Said it ended up being a scary ride.

How fast was he doing his yardwork?

 

[Fatsquatch]

How fast was he doing his yardwork?

🤷🏻‍♂️ I just remember him talking about it.

 

[trigger]

Ya mean @DaddyDubbs those were just broke portals at the Takeover

That was @Bastardchild

 

[Moark Willy]

I myself use my P500 for yardwork. I have two acres of grass. I found that if I make wider turns it doesn't tear up the sod.

I've got about 5 acres...some of it rough, some of it finished lawn.
I appreciate the traction on the rough part....not so much in wet grass.
Wide turns do help, especially in the morning when the grass is wet from dew....when I usually take the Honda out for weed eating.
So much of the property is top soil over ledge rock so it doesn't take much to tear it up.
Treading lightly with the tractor or the mower and now the SXS is necessary to keep it looking nice.

 

[JoPete]

i dunno if this will help you..... but when i switched back to the stock 520 tires from the 27' gorilla 2's i have run since i picked up my 520 at the dealer, it is now a fun bike to ride at the house. doesn't tear up the yard as much.