Tires BX24 dirt/mud tires - turf or r4 or combo?

donn12 · Mar 25, 2009

It looks like the rear turfs and r4s are the same size and the only difference is the tread pattern. I am assuming that because the fronts are so much smaller than the rears it is just a front assist. I have a Polaris 800 atv that is part time 4x4 (only when the rears slip indicated by a faster rotation than the front) that must have the same size all the way around. I also have a Land cruiser type 4x4 that is "full time" 4x4. This truck has a lockable differential that can only be used when on a slippery surface or the front will bind. A different tire size would magnify this.
Because compact tractors have front tires that are so much smaller than the rears I don't understand how switching my rear turfs to R4s that are the same size will mess things up. I have run my rear turfs at 14lbs and I have run them at 23. I would guess that that difference would be close to the difference I am contemplating.
I am not saying I am right but I am trying to understand how the 4x4 system works on these things. Also from what I understand Ags wont fit a BX 24. Chains might work though because I don't cut my grass with the BX.

LBrown59 · Mar 25, 2009

Tom_H said:
I bought my BX2200 with turfs on one set of wheels and ags on another. The turfs have been sitting in the crawlspace for 8 years. The turfs are useless when doing ground engagement work, like ripping hard clay with a sub-soiler. On the other hand, the ags do no damage at all to my lawn, even when wet. It is a no brainer: ags stay on all the time. Forget turfs, forget industrials, ags are the only tire to consider in my book.

Good advice.

SPYDERLK · Mar 25, 2009

Tom_H said:
I bought my BX2200 with turfs on one set of wheels and ags on another. The turfs have been sitting in the crawlspace for 8 years. The turfs are useless when doing ground engagement work, like ripping hard clay with a sub-soiler. On the other hand, the ags do no damage at all to my lawn, even when wet. It is a no brainer: ags stay on all the time. Forget turfs, forget industrials, ags are the only tire to consider in my book.

Exactly my experience on the BX1500, but I want to speak to F/B ratio. --- The AG set I bought was for the BX1800 to set my tractor higher. These are equally larger diameter on both ends and consequently they increase the front lead factor above what is standard. This makes the tractor steer very nicely in 4WD - noticeably better than the stock sized turfs. 1300hrs and still going strong. I wouldnt advise it with a loader because the mismatch could build up too much load on the gearing with the extra weight and traction. However, with the basic tractor MMM and 3ph useage, the setup works extremely well with high front lead even in the rare case of use on hard surface.

I sold my turfs before they rotted.

larry

IC Smoke · Mar 25, 2009

R4's came on the BX but we bought turfs just in case they did any damage to the lawns.... the R4's have yet to damage the lawn! I say get them!! I have never mounted the turf tires since the R4's are a versatile tire. Granted they look overkill for mowing but I can mow then go straight to digging dirt with no issues in traction!

savageactor7 · Mar 25, 2009

donn I have turf tire with chains on all 4's. We have thick mud and poor drainage here so AG's would fill up quick and be like slicks...that has happened to my neighbor.

My tires used to be filled but with the chains I've removed the filled tires...and now I don't get ruts in my lawn.

Tom_H · Mar 25, 2009

MarkV said:
I would think changing tires between mowings would get very old.
MarkV

I agree. It can be made easier though. When I bought the tractor, I also went to Harbor Freight and bought an electric impact wrench for $30 or $40 with correct lug socket, and a hydraulic hand pump jack for about the same price. This allowed a NASCAR style fast type of tire change, about the same amount of work as taking the FEL on or off.

Still, I find it a lot easier to just keep ags on all the time.