Kubota M6060 tire change

[LD1]

I guess my question would be why you would want a shorter tire up there?

I know its not that much shorter, but probably short enough that you would notice some accelerated wear on them front tires. Taller tires roll easier and offer a smoother ride. 2 new tires you are looking at and 2 new rims you are probably looking at a solid $1500+. Seems like a lot just to get a tire that is a mere 2" wider but at the cost of 2-3" shorter. What am I missing?

Can you go another ~1.5" wider and jump to the 320/85r20 and get you a much closer rolling circumference to the OEM size?

 

[Mathias NY]

Great question. When I buy my next tractor, it will be used primarily for orchard and utility/loader work. It will do some plowing and disking, but no cultivation. Ground clearance isn't really an issue.

My current Ford 3000 has 7.5x16 front tires. With a loader on the front, these narrow front wheels sink in and make ruts on wet grass. Most orchard farmers around here run 11L-15 front tires on their 2wd tractors and it makes a big difference. I realize that 9.5x24 tires on a 4wd tractor would be better than 7.5" but still worse than the 320/85R20.

The idea of the light duty front axles on the Kubota's is something I hadn't considered. If I were to order a new tractor I was also considering 12.5/80-18 fronts, which is a standard tire size for their M5L orchard tractor. Even though it would fit on the M6060, it would definitely be more strain on the smaller tractor.

 

[LD1]

I think you are splitting hairs.

If you get a m6060, I wouldn't jump right into doing a $1500 tire/wheel swap.

The oem 9.5-24s are a a whole different animal than the 7.5-16s on your 3000.

I don't see there being enough difference between the Oem tires and the 280's that are shorter to make any real world difference. Certainly not enough to justify the cost IMO