BX2230 Turf or Bar?

Neil_D · May 12, 2005

I am a new member who has been gathering info off this site for some time now, and I am now within days from making my purchase. I am looking at a BX2230 with FEL and Woods tooth bar, 60 MMM, and a Woods box blade. My plan is to use the box blade as ballast when running the FEL, instead of buying the ballast box.

Prices quoted are

BX2230 with FEL, 4 posn valve, and 60 MMM - $12,200
Woods Box Blade - $495
Woods Tooth Bar - $285

I have a new house on 4.6 acres, ~2.5 of which is or is going to be grass, the rest is wooded. All is almost totally flat. I also have a 450 foot crushed stone driveway. The biggest job I have right now is finish grading and seeding about 1 acre, thus the need for the box blade. My excavating contractor did a decent job of rough grading, so I think this little Kubota will be able to handle the finish work between the new box blade and the 4' york rake I already have.

I have looked at the JD 2210, which I think is a great tractor, but overpriced. I have also looked at the NH subcompacts. I really think that these BX series Kubotas are great tractors, and a good value. I can't wait to have it delivered and give it the Meguires carnuba treatment before I start getting it dirty.

My only question at this point is, do I get the bar tires or the turfs. My dealer (Messicks) says that I should get the bars now and upgrade to turfs later if I find I need them to prevent turf damage. The total cost for 4 rims and turf tires will be $300. I am actually considering buying both sets now and using the bars for dragging the box blade and plowing snow, the turfs for mowing.

Any thoughts? Will the bars damage my grass while mowing? Will the turfs be insufficient for dragging the box blade and plowing snow?

Thanks

grandad · May 12, 2005

I just bought a BX2230 a little while ago that's pretty much the identical setup to what you're looking at. FEL, MMM (mine's a 54" so it fits on my trailer), tooth bar and box blade. It's a great little workhorse that goes into places the big tractor (L4610) won't fit.

I did what you're thinking about and bought both bars and turfs, each on their own rims. So far I have only used the bars since the tractor mostly operates on the farm where we have mowed fields, not a manicured lawn.

If you will be using it on a close-mowed lawn, you'll like the turfs. For everything else, the ag-type tires are just fine.

SeymourBota · May 12, 2005

Unless something has changed very recently, the front bar and turf tires are the same size, as are the rears.
With turfs, you can run chains in the rear if you need maximum traction. You can also change out the fronts to bar tires and run them mixed- this is what I do for the winter and if I have plans to play in the soft stuff.
I have not found a reason to buy bars for the rear, given these options but I did buy the set for the front for $100 and my BX2200 will tackle almost anything now!!!

Nik · May 12, 2005

I have the bar tires on my BX23. I do not mow with it. If I ever add the mower I would probably buy a set of turf tires. I may still consider getting them for just general landscaping chores as they are not that expensive. I wonder if they give a smoother ride compared to bars when mowing?

Had turf tires on my B2410 and the traction was good in the snow. I think Stef from Quebec felt turf tires for the BX were good in the snow. If you are not sure I think Messick's advice is right on.

Tom_H · May 12, 2005

First of all, welcome to the forum.

I bought a set of each with my BX2200. The turfs will spin in a little mud, yet the bars do no damage at all to my turf. The turfs have been sitting under my house untouched for 4 years. This same topic runs about once a month. 95% of TBNers with a BX will say the same as I. There are probably a dozen guys on here who would sell you their turf tires at half price if you decide you really need a set. They've said the same thing that I have so many times that many stop repeating it every time this comes up. Go with the bars. If you ever want turfs, you will be able to post a notice here and most likely find someone close enough to you that you can drive to his house, buy them at half price, and not even pay shipping.

FamilyFarm · May 12, 2005

Congratulations on the BX purchase!

I am one of those Tom mentioned that purchased the extra rims and turf tires. They are sitting in my barn and have never been on the tractor. And, yes I would gladly sell them for a reasonable amount as I am unlikely to ever use them!

Best to you,
Terry

DmansPadge · May 13, 2005

I would say the ags will be your best bet for now. While you are still developing your land and such. I wouldn't even sweat it... get the ags now and by the time they wear out, you will probably have most of the "hard" work done. Then on your next set of tires you might decide to go with turfs for mostly mowing and a little hard work now and then. I do think that the ags are a bit hard on the lawn despite what some users say. Maybe my land is a little soft... but they do seem to leave small indentions in the ground.

bandit67 · May 13, 2005

I have a Case DX24E subcompact (twin to the NH TZ24), and it came in with turfs (dealer couldn't get the bars at the time of purchase). The turfs were lacking in the dirt, and did a great job of flattening some of the grass when mowing, so 2 days later, the grass that was flattened by the turf tires, was standing back up - the lawn didn't look as good as I like it to look - I like my lawn looking well manicured with a very even cut.

I purchased a full set of bar tires, swapped them out with the turfs, and was amazed at the improvement in traction in the dirt. I was also amazed at what the bar tires did when mowing. They don't crush down the grass anywhere near as much as the turfs did, and although sometimes would leave indentations in soft soil spots beneath the grass, I actually get a significantly better overall cut, and the lawn looks noticeably better.

Without the backhoe on your BX2230, you'll definitely appreciate the bar tires for the dirt work. I've noticed that my neighbor's BX22 with the turf tires has significantly better rear wheel traction when the backhoe is on, but is less than ideal once the backhoe is removed.

By the way - welcome to TBN and enjoy your new machine. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Henro · May 13, 2005

I would get the bar tires...

As a matter of fact, seeing you are in PA...I know someone who has a set of turf tires with almost no hours on them (off my BX2200) who would be happy to offer them to you for half price of new ($150)...and I use my BX for grass cutting mostly...with loaded bar tires front and rear... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I wonder how practical two sets of tires are though. I certainly don't want to be swapping tires between chores...spring and fall maybe...(but not me)...

newcountry · May 13, 2005

I agree with several of the last posts starting with TomH. I pondered this long and hard on my recent 2230 purchase. I ended up going with bar tires mostly on the advice of this forum, and am I every glad I did. My first project was moving some dirt and sand for my father-in-law's garden. I was so glad I had the bars, the turfs would've never gotten near the traction. Then when I mowed this week I did not notice any marks (and the mowing job was awesome, BTW /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif!!)

It's been repeated time and time again here - bars won't hurt your turf. The sole exception to this is if you mow in 4WD you will tear turf on the turns.

If you really want turf, why not hold off and if you decide you need them, then you can buy them later- it may just save you $300 for another attachment /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.