New Guy Questions re: Honda Harmony 2013 Lawn Tractor & Snowblower

[stagewex]

Newb here. I just purchased a very nice used Honda Harmony 2013 tractor that came with a Honda SB2040 Snowblower attachment. Went to look at it during a snowstorm on Saturday so really got to put it through it's paces in the sellers driveway. Bought it on the spot and trailered it home. Used it that evening. I am amazed how well this tough little beast can throw snow. Have a few questions:

1) The tires are probably original to the tractor and are "Turf-Trac R/S 18X8.50 NHS" (not sure what NHS means). There is some cracking & checking on the sidewalls but I'm sure they will be okay for this winter. Assume they are 13-14 years old. I see "Carlisle Turf-Trac R/S Lawn & Garden tire 18 X 8.50-8 going for $58.50 on-line. Is this the same tire? Anyone recommend anything better our a little more aggressive? I'm going to buy now to change in the Spring but also to have the replacement tire(s) on-hand just in case they don't last the Winter.

2) Need tire chain recommendation for above sized wheels. I see metal ones and rubber ones. And also the bungie tighteners like the "Security Chain Company Quick-Grip". I'm confused about the sizes offered.

3) The seller had weights on the tractor but they were a part of his actual gym weight-lifting set so they didn't come with the tractor. Since this is a discontinued line from Honda Power Equipment I was wondering if there was a generic brand of flat tractor weights someone could recommend. I have the weight cradle for them. If not I'll just go to Sports Authority and buy some cheapos.

Thanks,

Mike Wex

 

[bwdbrn1]

Sounds like you picked yourself up a nice tractor. I took a quick look at the owner's manual for the SB2040 snow blower attachment listed on Honda's Power Equipment web sight and it looks like there is a bracket that attaches to the back of the tractor to hang suit case type of weights on, and it said the weights (26 lb each) are purchased separately, but I couldn't find a reference to a part number for them.

NHS means Non-Highway Service meaning they're not intended for use on something like a trailer. tractordata.com lists the size of the rear tires on your tractor as 18X8.50-8, so I would think you could pick any tread design of that size, and they'll work just fine.

Just googling 18X8.50-8 tire chains produces quite a few options. For metal chains, I'd recommend 2 link as opposed to 4 link. That just refers to the number of links in the perimeter chains between the chains that go across the tread. Here's just the first two that came up for me when I searched for tire chains and rubber tire chains.
18x8.50-8 Tire Chains - m. e. MILLER tire
18 - 8.50 - 8 - $119.00 : RubberTireChains.com, Traction without damaging your surface

One thing I do when putting my chains on is let the air out of the tires first. It doesn't really seem like it would make much difference on tires on lawn tractors, but it did on mine. Then I put the chains on as tightly as possible and fill the tires back up with air. I just weave some regular bungee cords through the chains on the outside of the tires to pull them just a little tighter. If they're too loose they tend to flop around and the centrifugal force could cause them to reach out and grab a fender or something on the tractor.

Post some pictures of your new machine if you get a chance.

 

[metz12]

if your planning on getting chains then dont bother buying tires with more grip. and also, your tires have cracks in them correct? remember, its not your car. its just a lawn mower. buy a bottle of slime for 10-15bucks and run them till they bust. only if they are leaking use the slime though. some people dont like slime because its water based and may rust the tire, but if your tires are cracked then you might be needing to replace tires soon anyways so you can just wipe off the slime, and do some maintenance on the rim, like if there is surface rust just sand it off and hit them with another coat of paint.

 

[stagewex]

Sounds like you picked yourself up a nice tractor. I took a quick look at the owner's manual for the SB2040 snow blower attachment listed on Honda's Power Equipment web sight and it looks like there is a bracket that attaches to the back of the tractor to hang suit case type of weights on, and it said the weights (26 lb each) are purchased separately, but I couldn't find a reference to a part number for them.

NHS means Non-Highway Service meaning they're not intended for use on something like a trailer. tractordata.com lists the size of the rear tires on your tractor as 18X8.50-8, so I would think you could pick any tread design of that size, and they'll work just fine.

Just googling 18X8.50-8 tire chains produces quite a few options. For metal chains, I'd recommend 2 link as opposed to 4 link. That just refers to the number of links in the perimeter chains between the chains that go across the tread. Here's just the first two that came up for me when I searched for tire chains and rubber tire chains.
18x8.50-8 Tire Chains - m. e. MILLER tire
18 - 8.50 - 8 - $119.00 : RubberTireChains.com, Traction without damaging your surface

One thing I do when putting my chains on is let the air out of the tires first. It doesn't really seem like it would make much difference on tires on lawn tractors, but it did on mine. Then I put the chains on as tightly as possible and fill the tires back up with air. I just weave some regular bungee cords through the chains on the outside of the tires to pull them just a little tighter. If they're too loose they tend to flop around and the centrifugal force could cause them to reach out and grab a fender or something on the tractor.

Post some pictures of your new machine if you get a chance.

Thanks for your suggestions. Although it's been cold and snowy here in New York (Metro NYC area) we just had a couple days of really warm weather. Was 70 degrees on Sunday which gave me the opportunity to really clean, wax, detail and grease the little tractor.

I do have that Honda accessory bracket installed already but have not seen any oem suitcase weights around. So I've ordered three (3) Arnold Corp suitcase weights at 44Lbs. each. Since the Honda ones (kit came with 4) were 26lbs. each I thought that just two of these Arnolds may not be enough at 88Lbs. total.
Honda oem 104lbs total (4 weights) vs. Arnold 132lbs. (3 weights). We'll see.

I went to the Miller Tire site for metal chains. They were inexpensive and I installed them on Sunday too. I used a motorcycle lift to raise the entire rear-end and had them on the wheels in 10 minutes. I also ordered Security Chains "Quick Grip" which has not arrived yet. $8.00 a pair.
I weaved some short bungee around each wheel for now.

Have rear tires and the 2 types of shear-pins on order from Honda. I am not sure if there are tubes inside these wheels?

I cleaned and waxed the entire snowblower including the auger. Then I sprayed a ton of WD-40 all over it.

Pretty much understand that with all this prep work it will probably not snow at all for the rest of the Winter. HeeHee!.

I do have some pictures but not sure how to post yet.

 

[stagewex]

if your planning on getting chains then dont bother buying tires with more grip. and also, your tires have cracks in them correct? remember, its not your car. its just a lawn mower. buy a bottle of slime for 10-15bucks and run them till they bust. only if they are leaking use the slime though. some people dont like slime because its water based and may rust the tire, but if your tires are cracked then you might be needing to replace tires soon anyways so you can just wipe off the slime, and do some maintenance on the rim, like if there is surface rust just sand it off and hit them with another coat of paint.

I did get and install the chains and noticed that one of the rear wheels was "down" a bit. Ever so slight cracking/checking on the side walls. I will use them that way until the Spring or they fall off/totally fail. I have brand-new tires on order but agree why buy anything more aggressive or with more grip if I'm going to use chains for snow duty anyway.

Not a big fan of slime after having to change out a tire years ago. What a mess. I do keep one in the trunk of my car for emergencies (like if 2 tires blew out at the same time) but Thankfully have not had to use it.

Appreciate the suggestions.

mike w.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/site-discussion/31-how-create-photo-galleries-upload-photos.html

 

[bwdbrn1]

Sounds like you really have an appreciation for your new tractor. Good way to start off with it. I know I'd love to have a Honda tractor someday myself.

I'd be interested in seeing the "Quick Grip" and hearing your impressions.