Has anybody on TBN ever used a B-Kubota w/o loaded tires?

Stubee · Jul 11, 2011

I've read countless posts here on loaded vs. ballast etc. & consensus seems to be "everybody loads". My new B2320 should be ready to pick up this coming week. FEL w. 4' LP bush hog and 5' LP back blade, R4s. I ordered it w/o loaded tires as its main use is well back in the woods--alone--and me 30 miles from the nearest possible service. Nobody will run out there for a long, long time to help me. I figured: unloaded tires = a chance for me to plug + air fill and get outta there if a flat, loaded tires maybe = big problem. The blade or hog will be on it if I'm using the loader. Level ground, light FEL use, some 'rock holes' etc. to watch for for sure.

I'll be using this locally for a month to get a feel for it before towing it to it's intended use.

Probably just over-thinking this but honestly can't find anybody here who hasn't loaded tires on a B-Kubota. Can't wait to get the darned thing & try it out. Thanks,

kuboman · Jul 11, 2011

Stubee said:
I've read countless posts here on loaded vs. ballast etc. & consensus seems to be "everybody loads". My new B2320 should be ready to pick up this coming week. FEL w. 4' LP bush hog and 5' LP back blade, R4s. I ordered it w/o loaded tires as its main use is well back in the woods--alone--and me 30 miles from the nearest possible service. Nobody will run out there for a long, long time to help me. I figured: unloaded tires = a chance for me to plug + air fill and get outta there if a flat, loaded tires maybe = big problem. The blade or hog will be on it if I'm using the loader. Level ground, light FEL use, some 'rock holes' etc. to watch for for sure.

I'll be using this locally for a month to get a feel for it before towing it to it's intended use.

Probably just over-thinking this but honestly can't find anybody here who hasn't loaded tires on a B-Kubota. Can't wait to get the darned thing & try it out. Thanks,

Well here is one. Since I have a hatred for calcium chloride and there is nothing else available here I have never loaded my tires in any of my K tractors. I use good old pig iron instead. If you are going to have an implement on anyway, don't worry about junk in the tires.

rswyan · Jul 11, 2011

Stubee said:
Probably just over-thinking this but honestly can't find anybody here who hasn't loaded tires on a B-Kubota.

1205 hours on my B2910HST ..... all unloaded

Combustix · Jul 11, 2011

B-2710 with no ballast, has never been an issue as I always have something on the back.

crazyal · Jul 11, 2011

Loading your tires isn't a must but it sure does help when doing fel work and for traction. I have a home made ballast box (55 gallon drum) that I use. The thing about using an attachment for counter weight is you need to be careful when backing up or working in tight places, otherwise it shouldn't be a problem. Best thing to do is start slow and keep your hand on the fel lever being ready to lower it if you feel like you may be tipping. Once you get a feel for it then you can make the choice.

tungularafishcamp · Jul 11, 2011

I got a flat on the l48 with loaded tires that I have down in Oregon. Caught a nail, I plugged it and it held fine for the next month I was down there using it everyday. Noone has sent me a email saying it has a flat so I think it is still holding air but is not being used very much. It was filled with watertank antifreeze.
Rick

Dr. Bob · Jul 11, 2011

B7800, 7 years, 500 hrs, unfilled A4's. THere have been a few ocassions where I wished the tires were loaded, but I have always found a way to work around it.

k0ua · Jul 11, 2011

I ran a B7500 for 8 years without loaded tires, of course always had an implement on the back, it would have been better with loaded tires tho. My new tractor has loaded tires (RV antifreeze) and there is a big positive difference.

James K0UA

Bird · Jul 11, 2011

If you don't know for sure whether you'll need loaded tires, then in my opinion, you're smart to try it out first without. I never loaded the tires on my B7100, but I did put anti-freeze in the ones on my B2710. And in spite of the popularity of calcium chloride, there's just no way I'd have that stuff in my tires; too corrosive. A neighbor bought a used tractor from up north without knowing it had calcium in the tires. One spot where it leaked at my place took 2 years for any grass to come back there, and eventually he had to buy new wheels, too.