speed rating for turf tires

hey guys, the other day i was thinking to myself that i see builds on here getting faster and faster it seems.  That made me wonder just how much speed can turf tires handle.  They are intended for some thing that only tops out at maybe 10Mph.  The rear tires i can see possibly doing ok at moderate speeds but what about those little front tires.  Could any of them handle real high speeds say like 60-70+ Mph.  Personally i don't trust them.  Take for example my super sport mower, on paper it should be capable of 120-130.  I have plans of getting some rear tires that are for atv racing on asphalt that are made for high speeds. But i don't know what to do about the fronts, i cant find any thing in that size that can handle real high speeds.  Well to cut this short I personally don't want to end up in the hospital or see any else end up that way because a tire gave out going flat out.  Just how far can they be pushed with out getting to the point of failure.

It's not so much burst speeds that get them, its sustained high speed. Give or take 40mph sustained for shorter periods, higher for quick bursts. That's what Ive always noticed...

Leave them a bit lower so they have more expansion room if you are going to go fast. 1psi for every 10 degrees. They arent rated to go forever at that speed, but like you said finding something suitable or affordable will be tough.

Personally, I would be more worried about bushings going out if they havent been converted to sealed bearings.

If you're thinking to aim for 120-130MPH, You have much more to worry about than whether turfs are up to the task (which I would say NO)...

Build your own steering do direct steer you can get a kit from bmi carts or another cart supplier you can also buy new spindles with the axle diameter of your choice if your going any faster than 40 you should definatly do something like this

I don't think you should do direct steering for something capable of 130mph. Direct steering is generally abrupt and twitchy. Abrupt and twitchy at 130mph will almost certainly result in a crash. Tight steering and proper steering geometry are crucial though.

formula 1 steering!

dylansrockinrigs wrote:

formula 1 steering!

Im not sure what that has to do with tire speed ratings, but ok.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

If you're thinking to aim for 120-130MPH, You have much more to worry about than whether turfs are up to the task (which I would say NO)...

i was going to say the same. I'd be actually more worried about something more major going out, i.e. steering, tranny, etc. i understand thatyour making it to go fast, but these machines are only built to go 20 mph at the very max. unless your building yours like fearless front made his racer, time and money, and ground up, id be more worried than tires....but the tires being how that vehicle gets its power to the ground, id change the fronts and the rears. i would think racing go cart tires. they might handle more, and theyre closer to the size that you need.

I think it is a question of ply a tire with a higher ply might withstand speed better than a tire with less ply though in all fairness pretty sure stretch's front tires are 2 ply and he was doing 50+ and they didnt come apart in a firey explosion of air pressure and inner tube same for his rear tires seeing as they are ags.

He doesnt run that fast that often though. For a short period it would probably be fine, but after a while the tread probably would have started to separate.