Big Tires that Swim Great!!??

[highrollinmopars]

Jp after looking at your videos your tub is noticeably shorter than mine. Is your lower tub the same size as a 950 model?

[hydromike]

There are three variants of the tubs (not counting the older models). There's the 950, the 980 Short, and 980 Tall. There's about 3" of difference in lower tub height between the short/tall models, but you're still limited to the same maximum tire size. The axle spacing is the limiting factor. The 27" Executioners I run only measure out at about 26.2 or so at a comfortable pressure, and the rear/middle tires juuuuuuuust about touch.

[jpswift1]

Jp after looking at your videos your tub is noticeably shorter than mine. Is your lower tub the same size as a 950 model?

No, my machine is a Hustler 980 BIGFOOT, not a 950. My tub is much deeper than a 950 tub. It came stock with 26x12x12 Goodyear Super Terra Grips. There are two variations of the Hustler 980 BIGFOOT. The very deep tub, and then just the deep tub. The 950 tub is not the same depth at all compared to either 980.

[highrollinmopars]

No, my machine is a Hustler 980 BIGFOOT, not a 950. My tub is much deeper than a 950 tub. It came stock with 26x12x12 Goodyear Super Terra Grips. There are two variations of the Hustler 980 BIGFOOT. The very deep tub, and then just the deep tub. The 950 tub is not the same depth at all compared to either 980.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=31&g=3

Got it!! Hey I was on the interco websit and im thinking that the 26x12x12 Vampire TSL/ATV tire may be a good choice for Hustler. It has less tread and a flatter profile so it shouldnt dig so bad. On the website, Interco says that it has less lateral traction than the regular vampire to prevent rollovers. Im thinking it would do well on a skid steer. Question being will it swim well or even at all. Tires are such a big investment I hate to buy a set without asking around and getting all the input I can on them. Someone did email me and say that they had a set of the new aqua torqs on a deep tubbed Hustler 980 like mine and that they did swim some but that they where very hard to turn with and that they rode very rough. Tires seem to perform totally different from one machine to the next. If I had the performance of the argo in mudbugs videos I would be very satisfied with that. Thanks for all the input guys.

[brushcutter]

jpswift1

My theory is this:

On the Hustler 980 that is'nt the deep tub model ,it has the curved parts of the lower tub closer over the front and rear tires. When the tires are spinning the curved part of the tub helps better to channel the water downward and this helps increase the tires floation slightly out of the water. This is my theory about why your Hustler 980 perfroms much better in the water than the deeper tub 980's.

No, my machine is a Hustler 980 BIGFOOT, not a 950. My tub is much deeper than a 950 tub. It came stock with 26x12x12 Goodyear Super Terra Grips. There are two variations of the Hustler 980 BIGFOOT. The very deep tub, and then just the deep tub. The 950 tub is not the same depth at all compared to either 980.

I would have to agree Dave, The tub would channel the cast-off water downward and actually give "lift" aiding the tires swimming ability. I also think that the higher the machine floats the more tire you have above water, ideally if you had a machine that would float so that you had half or less of the tire submerged then you would have a VERY fast swimmer with most any tire that had a good "cupping" ability. Look at the way the old paddle wheel river boats were configured. The axle of the wheel was high above the waterline, therefore giving maximum propulsion. Remember how low in the water my 950 sat, and it was a dog in the water due to this. But remember how fast it was when Evan would drive it by himself, less weight = higher float = faster water speed.

JP, the width and length of the tubs are basically the same, as you know, but the added height of the 980 tub gives quite a bit more flotation because the curved area of the "fenders" is higher than the same area on the 950, but not as high as the 980 deep tub, and this gives better flow control. I think the 950 loses that because it is too short AND too tight, the deep tub is too tall and allows the water to just fly all over but as you and Dave have both said, the 980 gives better flow control. This makes me curious though, if it were possible to weigh both types of 980 machines and add weight to get them exactly the same, with the same air pressure and tires would one sit higher in the water than the other? Would this be due solely to the shape of the tub, and so help explain why one swims better than the other?

[highrollinmopars]

Have you guys ever weighed a stock 12" 980 steel wheel? Its heavy! I bet going to an aluminium wheel would give enough weight difference to make it ride higher in the water and maybe even be more stable. I need new axles for my second 980 I should have the hubs made for 4 lug instead of 5. Then I could buy a nice set of aluminum I t p wheels.

[hydromike]

...and maybe even be more stable.

I don't know if it would make it any more stable, but if you're speaking from experience, you know that ANYTHING you can do to make a 980 tall tub more stable in the water is a huge plus.

[mudbug3]

highrollinmopars

I watched a video of an Argo 8x8 Conquest that had the Interco " Super Swamper TSL's that you posted the web link of. These tires are terrible in the water and hardly swim at all. As Brushcutter has posted , an atv mud tire needs ' cupped lugs ' to help it swim. I have driven a Max IV with GBC Gator tires, Interco ASX tires, Good year Terra tires , Kenda Executioner tires, Hustler 980 with Aqua Torque tires and ASX tires. The Terra tire is a 6 ply tire and it does'nt ride any better than all of the mud tires that I have mentioned. The forum member jpswift1 says the Terra tires ride like man hole covers. I agree! Because Terra tires have a very flat profile ,they don't skid steer easy either in my opinion.

[lewis]

The AT 189 Argo tire is a great swimmer and pretty good in the mud, but what hurts the tires is it's tall price. I have had great luck running them on the Avengers. According to the GPS 3.9 mph with the 26 HP Kohler engine. Haven't tracked the info with the new machine. I am referring to the 25x12x9 tires.

[jpswift1]

S.S. TSL /ATV | Interco Tire

Got it!! Hey I was on the interco websit and im thinking that the 26x12x12 Vampire TSL/ATV tire may be a good choice for Hustler. It has less tread and a flatter profile so it shouldnt dig so bad. On the website, Interco says that it has less lateral traction than the regular vampire to prevent rollovers. Im thinking it would do well on a skid steer. Question being will it swim well or even at all. Tires are such a big investment I hate to buy a set without asking around and getting all the input I can on them. Someone did email me and say that they had a set of the new aqua torqs on a deep tubbed Hustler 980 like mine and that they did swim some but that they where very hard to turn with and that they rode very rough. Tires seem to perform totally different from one machine to the next. If I had the performance of the argo in mudbugs videos I would be very satisfied with that. Thanks for all the input guys.

The Interco TSL ATV tires aren't a really good chocie. They don't swim,....some AATV people have tried. Also. the tread isn't very aggressive. I'd look into another tire.

OK, I'm adding info on the rest of the Super Swamper tires. This has been discussed many times before before, but here it is again. If there are tires that swim faster than what I have, I personally don't care, as long as I get to the other side of the small body of water that I'm crossing. I use my AATVs on the trails, mud, etc, 99% of the time. I'm in the water 1% of the time. If you use your machines in the water most of the time, get the biggest tire that is the least expensive, most durable, and fastest in the water.........that would be the stock 26" Goodyear Super Terra Grip.

Here's the info on the Super Swamper line.....

The Interco TSL/ATV tires don't swim, and they're not as aggressive as the Vampires or the Vampire ASX's.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=31&g=3

The Interco Vampires swim somewhat well and have the deepest, very aggressive tread.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=29&g=3

The Interco Vampire ASX's swim well depending on what machine they're on.....they're fast on my shorter tub Hustler 980, but not as fast on a Hustler 980 tall tub for example. The tread is very aggressive and deep, but a few tenth of an inch shorter than the Vampires.

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=48&g=3

There is no perfect tire, so just find one that suits your riding needs. You said you're mostly using yours in water, so just get the tire that performs the best in the water. As I said, I'm not going to nit pick every little detail about tires swimming because I only use my machine in the water 1% of all the time I'm riding. Everything is a compromise, so take into consideration the information here you read on in this and other threads from credible people that have tried them themselves, like Lewis, Hydromike, Mike, and the many others and you'll be pleased with the decision you make.

[highrollinmopars]

UPDATE:

So far on my 980 Hustler deep tub bigfoot I have tried the 25x12x9 Rawhide III's, the 26x12x12 Goodyear Super Terra Grips, and I have now tried the 26x13x12 Vampire ASX's. For swimming ability the ASX's and the Goodyear Terras are both close swimmers I think with the rawhides coming in last. The Asx's ride far far better than either the rawhides or the Super Terras. I havent seen any mud action yet. I should have the Adair tracks on this weekend and hopefully I can compare them. Thanks guys.

[fmints]

Wow "T", I wouldn't think that you would put the ASX's and the Terras as close swimmers. Any way it goes, I know that you cant wait to see some mud with the tracks!!

[russriders]

To me the Goodyear super terras swim very fast them asx I have both of them tire, Goodyear super terras on max iv and asx on the hustler .

[highrollinmopars]

I was pleasantly surprised myself. I really really love the ASX's.. They performed better than I expected.

[jpswift1]

I was pleasantly surprised myself. I really really love the ASX's.. They performed better than I expected.

They're the absolute BEST all around AATV tire, and they're one of the best, if not the very best tires for deep sticky mud. Interco needs to start making these again ASAP!