Tires GC2310 turf tires and rims

[jaybrad]

In what appears to be my continuing saga of tires that slip and slide (and coming ever closer to getting *really* stuck), I am considering getting a set of turf tires and another set of rims so that I can swap out the R4s (which work well in the summer, but have been rather disappointing in the winter).

Seems like the R4s like to skid sideways rather than turn the tractor and I was thinking that maybe having the extra surface area in contact with the ground would help.

Any thoughts on that theory - and estimate of what a set of tires and rims would cost?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[porky69]

I have R4's on my GC2400 and my father-in-law has turfs on his Kubota B2400 and my experience has been that the turf tires do help to steer a little better (more biting edges to grip the ground) but the R4's cannot be beat for straight ahead digging traction.

I have dug (spun a little) my way through some snow drifts with my R4's where as the FIL's turf tired Kubota (with more ground clearance) would spin and stop abruptly.

IMHO you give a little in one area to gain a little in another area, but the type of snow you have may change your results. Our snow usually does not turn to ice, it just packs really hard and has pretty decent traction.

 

[jaybrad]

I have R4's on my GC2400 and my father-in-law has turfs on his Kubota B2400 and my experience has been that the turf tires do help to steer a little better (more biting edges to grip the ground) but the R4's cannot be beat for straight ahead digging traction.

I have dug (spun a little) my way through some snow drifts with my R4's where as the FIL's turf tired Kubota (with more ground clearance) would spin and stop abruptly.

IMHO you give a little in one area to gain a little in another area, but the type of snow you have may change your results. Our snow usually does not turn to ice, it just packs really hard and has pretty decent traction.

Good points.

We got a lot of snow last night, then rain, then warm temps today - and the combination made it very difficult to make any tight turns, like around the side of the house to clear the heating oil fill tubes.

Had it not been for chains on my rear tires, I surely would have been in a very bad spot - and when the temps drop back below freezing, it will all be glare ice.

I guess it's all part of the winter fun...or something like that.

Thanks,
Jay

 

[ray66v]

Even with turf tires, your still going to skid in the snow. If I plow a high drift, the tractor moves sideways. This machine is just not heavy enough to fight back.

Based on what I was quoted 5 years ago for ag tires, turf tires, and wheels are going to run you close to $600.00

 

[Bolens1886]

The dealer in Warner NH has a set of four tires and rims up on Craigs list for $450 Turf tires for MF GC Sub Compact

 

[radioman]

Have you considered thinking about loading the tires with liquid ballast ?

 

[jaybrad]

Have you considered thinking about loading the tires with liquid ballast ?

I've considered it, but I think it only adds ~ 100# per tire, and I really don't want the added weight all year because I do go over the lawn a fair amount.

So what I finally woke up to was that if I back around the corner where I start to slide, I am leading with the tires that have the most weight and the chains. So far, that has proven to work very well.

Of course, I am certain that having just made such a statement, I will disprove this theory and become hopelessly stuck very soon.

Bolens1886, thanks for the tip about the tires. I decided to stick with what I have for the time being, but that sounds like a decent price.

Jay

 

[bobzap]

I happen to have a like new set all mounted for $400.00 if your interested and I am in Hooksett NH

bobzap@comcast.net

 

[ChuckinNH]

Jay, You might try putting a bit of weight in your bucket. I noticed when I added the rear mounted snowblower that I had a bit more trouble with steering too. I did put chains on the rear tires (R-4's) this year, and that solved the traction problems though I hate the ride the type of chains I chose give.

 

[jaybrad]

Maybe I could just get Dyer, retired to stand in the bucket?

Or pick up the stuff that he breaks and/or falls off his tractor?


The chains have made a huge improvement and I am glad to have them.