industrial or turf tires?

hazmat · Nov 15, 2003

I've got both for my TC18 (JD 4100 size) machine. I started with the R4s and added the turfs because I was unhappy with the marks I was leaving in the lawn. What kind of soil do you have? Mine is pretty soft, thus the R4s leave marks. It is my un-official opinion that those who are happy with R4s on their lawn have tough soil to support their machines. I've found the turfs adequete for all but the nastiest jobs.

Every tire is a comprimise - and are debated endlessly here on tbn. No tire is going to work well in every condition. You need to decide which is more important to you - nice lawn or traction in the garden.

I was able to pick up the turfs pretty cheap ($400 for the set) because the dealer had a set lying around that he had swapped off another tractor. Retail might be closer to $1,000. Still cheaper than buying a lawn tractor for around the house, but less convenient (need to change the tires).

Another option is to discuss your concern with your dealer. Arrange to try one type of tire at your place & be able to swap it back within 30 days if you are unhappy with your choice.

28RedHorses · Nov 15, 2003

Mike,

Question sounds familiar. I had the decision to make when I got my tractor.

I chose the R4 tires over the turf tires. My land is sloped and the R4s don't chew up the grass except when I turn too sharp. Even then it's not much.

I wanted the extra tractor for snow and grading that I did not think the turf tires had.

I'm glad I chose the R4s. Besides they look cool

My three cents
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PineRidge · Nov 16, 2003

I really don't think you'll be doing much more than mowing grass if you go with the turf tires. But it’s your decision to make. I still say R-4s are a very good compromise.

HarleyBob · Nov 16, 2003

I have R-4's on my Kubota L3010 and they have great tractio for loader work, but they tear up lawn when making turns.
If I had a nice lawn, rather than a farm lawn, and I was going to be doing work that required me to be on a nice lawn, then the R-4s might be out. The tears in the lawn go away with some watering and stamping and a little growing.

thcri · Nov 16, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have R-4's on my Kubota L3010 and they have great tractio for loader work, but they tear up lawn when making turns.
)</font>

My neighbor and I both have about the same size tractors. He has the turfs and I have the Industrials. On one wet day we both took our tractors and made sharp turns. The turfs ripped the lawn up just as bad as the Industrials. In fact we even thought the turfs may have ripped it up more. I try to eliminate sharp turns and so does my neighbor.

It goes back to what the majority of the usage is going to be. Either way my personal opinion is the original poster would be happy with either tire.

murph

mikemike39 · Nov 17, 2003

thanks for all the replies.. I made my decision today and told the dealer to get me R4 industrial tires..

Mowing round the house I'll pick my weather and avoid tight turns - I think I can find a way to do it where I do my turning on the concrete drive and parking area, so as I go round the house it should be close to mowing straight

Hopefully the R4s will give me more grip when I need it in other situations

All I've got to do now is wait!

cheers Mike

PineRidge · Nov 17, 2003

Mike I'm sure you are going to enjoy your new toy, er I mean tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · Nov 17, 2003

Mike:

Seeing as you are acroos the "pond", How much was your tractor? and is there a lot of taxes and duties attached to the purchase price?

mikemike39 · Nov 17, 2003

Hi Daryl

Don't read on unless you are sitting down!

To put it in context, the dollar has been weakening recently, which means that at the moment one pound buys more dollars than usual - at the moment one pound buys $1.69

List prices have been reduced here, but not fast enough. This means that JD are getting a relatively good deal on tractors they sell here at the moment - (ie the pounds they get buy a decent amount of US$$)

4410 ehydro with a 420 loader - I am paying 14,500 pounds - which is about 15% below the current list price

It is still a wacking US$ 24,500 at today's exchange rate!

And the really amusing bit - we get to pay 17.5 percent local sales tax (called "value added tax"!) -

so I'll have to pay over $28,000 for the rig

I know that's a ridiculous price compared with where the market is in the US - but there isn't too much I can do about it. If I brought one over on a ship I'd have to pay the tax at the port, and probably a whole load of other duties as well as it comes into the EEC.

I guess if we take last year's US$/pound rate of 1.40 to get a more normal exchange conversation - then before sales tax the 4410 with loader works out to be just over $20,000

The UK spec is fairly high - some of the smaller items listed at Midlawns are already included

http://www.midlawns.com/4410.htm

Cheers Mike

mikemike39 · Nov 17, 2003

thanks Mike, appreciate your postings on the subject of tires- and the photos! I didn't look into NH closely mylsef as there wasn't a good NH dealer anywhere near - and as this is my first tractor I need all the help I can get!!

Looking forward to getting it!

Cheers Mike