NewB2920

[TripleR]

As has been mentioned on these sites/posts many times before; for multiple applications any single tire choice is going to be a compromise. I fave equipment with turf, Ag, bar, industrial and orchard. I even have one with mixed front and back.

After trying them all, I have settled on industrial for my BX2660 with 60" MMM and FEL, John Deere 2305 with 62" MMM and L5030 HSTC with FEL, Ag tires on my other larger tractors.

For my conditions, industrial tires for mowing and FEL use on hilly property is the best compromise with the smaller tractors work best; I have had traction issues with turf under these conditions, but I often mow when the grass is wet.

This works best for me, but your conditions may dictate otherwise. Some people get touchy on this subject when others disagree with their choice, but variables such as soil type, terrain, operator experience, tractor type etc. all factor in and what is "best" for one and not another.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

As has been mentioned on these sites/posts many times before; for multiple applications any single tire choice is going to be a compromise. I fave equipment with turf, Ag, bar, industrial and orchard. I even have one with mixed front and back.

After trying them all, I have settled on industrial for my BX2660 with 60" MMM and FEL, John Deere 2305 with 62" MMM and L5030 HSTC with FEL, Ag tires on my other larger tractors.

For my conditions, industrial tires for mowing and FEL use on hilly property is the best compromise with the smaller tractors work best; I have had traction issues with turf under these conditions, but I often mow when the grass is wet.

This works best for me, but your conditions may dictate otherwise. Some people get touchy on this subject when others disagree with their choice, but variables such as soil type, terrain, operator experience, tractor type etc. all factor in and what is "best" for one and not another.

I agree with most of this. Industrial and R are the same thing. Just different terminology. I have R/I4's on my BX25 FEL/BH and turfs on my BX2660 FEL MMM. I live on hillside and some very steep and have never had a problem with either tire with traction or with damaging my hard clay based yard on BX's (Turf), B's (R/I4's) and a L3240 (R/I'4s). The turf is softer and rides better and the R/I's have stronger side walls which probably makes them a bit better for FEL work and the I/R's have been less prone to get flats in my experience.

 

[TripleR]

I agree with most of this. Industrial and R are the same thing. Just different terminology. I have R/I4's on my BX25 FEL/BH and turfs on my BX2660 FEL MMM. I live on hillside and some very steep and have never had a problem with either tire with traction or with damaging my hard clay based yard on BX's (Turf), B's (R/I4's) and a L3240 (R/I'4s). The turf is softer and rides better and the R/I's have stronger side walls which probably makes them a bit better for FEL work and the I/R's have been less prone to get flats in my experience.

For simplicity, I used the terms listed in the Manual as some new owners are confused by terms familiar to long time owners/users. One can wander off into the weeds with some terminology; Ag is like bar but different and what if any difference is there in turf and orchard, sometimes it is just too confusing for some.

 

[red4now]

"This works best for me, but your conditions may dictate otherwise. Some people get touchy on this subject when others disagree with their choice, but variables such as soil type, terrain, operator experience, tractor type etc. all factor in and what is "best" for one and not another."

I think this previous comment should help you decide which tires you need. Soil type and condition play a big part on how any tire would affect your lawn. I have not had any problems with R4's mowing grass as long as I take my time cornering and remember to have the 4WD off - and that works for my soil type. And I also use the FEL a lot so I preferred those tires. How does that disclaimer go - user experience may vary - or something like that.

 

[ChuckinNH]

If the tires weren't so darned expensive, and heavy things would be a lot easier. I debated this issue right up until the minute I signed for my tractor. I went with R-4's, and the only thing that tipped the scale over getting turfs was that the r-4's came on the tractor as it sat. After two full years with the B2620, I'm still not sure I made the right choice. The R-4's have been good in my woods, and for loader work, but I think most times I could have gotten by with turfs just fine, and the turfs sure would be easier on my yard, and easier to chain up in the winter if needed. On the other hand one member (killer_B) said that the difference between turfs, and R-4's in the yard was that the outside of the front tires cut a solid line when using turfs, and a dotted line when using R-4's. So, I guess you pay your money, and take your pick. If there is a next time, I'll probably go with turfs.

 

[bstrom]

My dealer says they mostly sell R4's on new tractors now. I think they are considered kind of an all purpose tire. They are supposed to have a strong wall and last quite awhile, good for loader work.

I've noticed mine will tear up soft ground however even in the woods. You do have to be careful about that with them.

 

[Smokin Diesel]

I have turfs on my 2620. In the past two years I've pretty much renovated my yard (tilling, grading with the box blade) and driveway (cleaning out old rock and replacing with limestone), as well as the routine mowing and plowing. I've yet to need anything other than the turfs. For mud I'm sure I'd have a different opinion, but I won't be tilling, grading, or mowing mud.

As far as box blades, don't forget the in-between Land Pride 1554. Not quite a 60", but still covers your tracks.

 

[JAE 3400]

You should not have a problem with the turf tires for tilling or FEL work. You will have FWD and will need to use it. I had my last tractor for 17 years and did much tilling,box scraper and FEL work all with turf tires. I also plowed my 200 ft. driveway with no trouble all with turf tires.

 

[TripleR]

Just an observation, but if you haven't tried different types, you may never know which is "best". If all you have ever used is turfs, industrials etc., you really have nothing by which to measure.

"A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push." Ludwig Wittgenstein

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just an observation, but if you haven't tried different types, you may never know which is "best". If all you have ever used is turfs, industrials etc., you really have nothing by which to measure.

"A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push." Ludwig Wittgenstein

I agree. I have turfs and R/I4's now. 10 Kubotas and all have had one or the other. I've never had an Ag on any of the 10. I haven't been able to notice a difference in my applications between one over the other. Only done snow one time in 6 years and that was this year and it was with turfs which are on the BX2660 and that's the one that was here when the snow was. I was shocked at how well they did, since they didn't miss a beat I don't know how any other tire could have beat them but I didn't try the others so they could have done worse or as good.
Now, with my experience on 10 different Kubotas using and trying these 2 different tread pattern tires I believe in turfs for snow but I'm not going to say the others would not have done just as well. Why do I get turfs on some and R/I4's on others? Well I'll just tell you why. If it's for mowing and light FEL work I get turfs, softer ride. If it's for FEL work or mostly FEL work I get I/R4's because of the side wall strength being a bit stronger with I/R4's. I've personally never had a problem with the side walls on any of my tires, in fact I've never had any problem with my tires other than the one front one on the BX's leaks air. I've tubed 3 of them and after tubing never had another problem up to today, may go down tomorrow. I usually chose tires by what Steve Barlow sent me. Now I usually request turfs for BX's except for BX25 which will do no mowing, just FEL and BH work so guess which tires I picked for it? That's right, not turfs. If it had been accidently delivered with turfs I would not have had them switched out, I would have just kept the turfs. Now out of 10 Kubotas I guess you can see that of all the things that I think make a difference, tires between turfs and R/I4's is not one of them. Maybe experience with 10 is not enough but it will have to do because that's all I'm buying to do these tests! Probably.