Turf tires on smaller tractors

[amhicks21]

I spent years operating a tractor around that size for landscaping with turf tires and loved them. I then ran an l3540 for about 1400 hours with industrial tires and found nearly zero benefit. they gouged and marked up turf and vibrated like **** when on a road. the only situations that i'd ever want an ag or industrial tire is when working on wet slippery clay that cause the treads to load up or in muddy farm field pulling an implement. For loader work on reasonably dry ground i'd still keep the turf tires on front and back. when i switched from the l3540 with industrial tires to an l6060 with turf tires (that i practically demanded) it felt like i was driving a golf cart.

 

[npalen]

I've found that 8-10 PSI range on the rear turf tires makes a huge difference in ride comfort on my B9200. No suspension seat so it was really rough on the road at higher PSI.
I discovered this when replacing the original 30 year old Bridgestone 13.6-16 's with Firestone of the same size. Not really the same size however as the Firestones are about 3" taller. I was letting air out to match them up with the fronts for the FWA longevity.
The only problem is that the 8-10 PSI range barely registers on most tire pressure gauges.

 

[Texasmark]

Both our tractors are about the same size and weight and use the same size tires, I bought mine with r4s and switched to turf about a year ago because of turf damage with the r4.

Both tires are fluid filled, I can say running them back to back that the turfs do ride quite a bit nicer and still have excellent traction.

Check the tires that fit your 16.5 wheels, I've found the 16.5 turfs I saw had a much heavier sidewall and might not help the ride as much.

Have you priced out mounted wheel/ tires? I'm not sure about Branson but Kubota offers wholegood pricing on wheel/tire assemblies and it's pretty close to the cost of just the tire many times.

I lucked out and found a used set of mounted turfs for a great price, they needed front tires but those are cheap and I already had one.
Would be worth looking into what other manufacturers wheels will bolt up and trying to find used.

Have to watch the ply rating. That's part of the problem with the R4s, besides stiffer sidewalls to absorb more punishment in harsh environments. Most are for skid steers and ply is way up there. The 6 ply on my Branson were basically a fluke. When you go to the Titan site and plug in the numbers I need, it's obvious that that size is a skid steer size basically.

I don't have a hazard environment. I can walk barefoot on all my farm if I chose. I don't want nor need the protection. If I did I wouldn't be chasing 4 ply turfs. When I get finished with the tires, this little tractor will be absolutely perfect. Will really be an asset.

Thanks for the comment about fluid filling turfs too. I plan on transferring my current fluid to the turfs when I get them mounted. Glad to know ahead of time that I won't "shoot the messenger" so-to-speak. Seems to me that the heavier the tractor the less the bounce (proven when implements are mounted) so filling is required, besides assisting in offsetting the FEL when loaded.

 

[Texasmark]

The only problem is that the 8-10 PSI range barely registers on most tire pressure gauges.

You can find them. As a matter fact, TSC has a couple I bought the last time I was there: 10 to 100 and 0 to 20. Work great.

 

[npalen]

Thanks for that info.

 

[Texasmark]

Before investing thousands in new tires and rims, I would suggest that you go to a dealer and test out a turf tired tractor for ride and see if you will be getting smoother ride enough to justify the cost of new tires and rims.

Thanks Gary for the heads up.

I went to my local 5th generation "tires for everything store" who happens to be a Titan dealer. He located a pair for $290 each. I had been shopping air suspension seats in the $1100-1300+ range and found a new air suspension system without the seat (mine is fine) for $375 free shipping no tax on ebay which I have already installed. So as it is, I got the tires I want plus the air seat for $955. I'll take that. Considering the great price I paid for the tractor, adding this to it is still under what others were asking.

 

[TMGT]

When I priced mounted turfs for the rear of my Kubota they were about 320 each.
Was the suspension mount you found a regularly sold item or one time?

 

[jenkinsph]

You can find them. As a matter fact, TSC has a couple I bought the last time I was there: 10 to 100 and 0 to 20. Work great.

I agree and suggest anyone with tractors should have a 0-20 psi gauge on board. I keep them on all of my tractors.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks Gary for the heads up.

I went to my local 5th generation "tires for everything store" who happens to be a Titan dealer. He located a pair for $290 each. I had been shopping air suspension seats in the $1100-1300+ range and found a new air suspension system without the seat (mine is fine) for $375 free shipping no tax on ebay which I have already installed. So as it is, I got the tires I want plus the air seat for $955. I'll take that. Considering the great price I paid for the tractor, adding this to it is still under what others were asking.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[Texasmark]

When I priced mounted turfs for the rear of my Kubota they were about 320 each.
Was the suspension mount you found a regularly sold item or one time?

Guy had 7 left; probably still does. Just sign in to ebay and enter the words I listed in their search engine which should put you right on him or within range.