Mixing Front and Back Tire Tread

Usta · Mar 1, 2010

I currently have R4's and like them for earth and snow moving. The problem I am seeing is mowing the lawn. My one acre lawn is mostly hills and slopes so I need to mow in 4WD. The R4's are good for traction but the front tires scuff the lawn when turning sharp. I am thinking of keeping the R4's on the back and putting turfs on the front. Thinking of buying front wheels and tires so I could swap them out as needed.

Anyone done this? What are your opinions?

beenthere · Mar 1, 2010

If you stay on the lawn, shouldn't be a problem. Possibly won't help much with the scuffing. That may be a problem with the turning radius and camber etc. of the front wheel design.
Possibly worth a try to see how well it takes care of the scuffing.

RoyJackson · Mar 1, 2010

If your tractor is 4WD or MFWD, the main thing is to keep the correct ratio between fronts and rears.
Or make sure you stay out of 4WD.
BTW, front tires don't usually scuff unless the tractor is in 4WD. You aren't mowing your lawn in 4WD, are you? If you are, try mowing in 2WD and that might solve all your problems.

Usta · Mar 1, 2010

RoyJackson said:
If your tractor is 4WD or MFWD, the main thing is to keep the correct ratio between fronts and rears.
Or make sure you stay out of 4WD.
BTW, front tires don't usually scuff unless the tractor is in 4WD. You aren't mowing your lawn in 4WD, are you? If you are, try mowing in 2WD and that might solve all your problems.

Yes, mowing in 4WD all the time. I tried 2WD mowing and with my sloped lawn.... Went for some wild sliding down the hills.

TripleR · Mar 1, 2010

I haven't changed anything on my BX2660, but I have Ag tires on the front and orchard tires on the back of my MF 375 and it has worked well; on my second set. Like Roy says, just keep the ratio right and no problems.

Usta · Mar 3, 2010

Stopped by the Kubota dearler today. They said the circumfrance of the tread of the R4 and turf tires need to match so as not to stress the front drive train. The two tread types do match on my size tires. Two turf tires with wheels is $189 dollars. About $4oo if I bought all four. They said I only need to change the front though. They agree that the turfs will not cuff the grass as bad as the R4's in 4WD and the turfs will actually be better traction in the snow also.

Ordered two front turf tires with wheels.