B3030 with Industrial tires - switch to turf?

[defender77]

My B3030 is ok in the snow but could be better. We use it for mowing 2 acres also so now that my tires are leaking in the rear, thinking of switching to turf or something better suited for our usage. I have a front loader but it's not on the tractor often. Mostly mower or blower. I tried Ginops but they are rude and not very helpful in explaining why they want/need to sell me a set of wheels also. My search of part numbers found that the rear wheel is the same for both turf or industrial. Fronts looks like they may be different but I think only due to offset.

 

[srs]

I also have a B3030 cabbed tractor that I use to mow 3 acres and move snow in the winter. I have the original turf tires and think they are great in the snow. My rear tires are liquid filled and I use a rear weight weighing approximately 700 lbs (+/-) which helps with the front loader attached snowplow. I know they have a new tire out now (I think it's a R14 tire or something like that) but don't know how good they are at mowing or plowing, maybe check with Messicks Kubota out of Pennsylvania. Some old pictures of the tractor.

 

[amhicks21]

You'll be much happier with turfs considering what you use the tractor for. Ive run 3 tractors with turfs and 3 with r4's over the years and ive found that the only advantage of r1 and r4's is working in mud and longer tread life on gravel and pavement. For reasonably dry ground, grass, snow, and ice i'll take turfs every time. If Ginop is giving you problems, get with Messicks. Im in MI also, and have problems with my local dealership but when ive ordered things from Messicks its been shipped within a day every time and they have practically everything in stock.

 

[mikester]

You could try getting a tire groover, a lot of guys are happy with the results. Probably a cheaper way to go than replacing tires.

 

[RalphVa]

The 4010 I had for 9 years had turfs. All sorts of problems with the front tires. They grip better in turns than R4s, but have not had an ounce of problems with R4s now for 8 years on the 1025R and now the 2025R. Just need turning brakes in the snow/ice.

 

[defender77]

23x8.50-14 front and 12.4-16 in rear. Do they make a small lug version of the industrial tire/size? have any of you tried any hybrid type?