LS G3033H & tire questions

[windcatcher]

Hi folks. Need some advice here please?

I'm thinking about purchasing a new G3033H TLB probably June of this year. I plan on using it to care (rotary mowing) for a pond area, pulling a plow, tending the wet area behind the pond dam, etc.

I want to plant sweet corn so plowing and cultivating is is a big need.

Do any of you have a G3033H or similar and have been using your tractor this way? What pros and cons do you have?

Also, I'm on the fence about either getting the Ag tires or the R4 Industrial tires. It is very wet around the pond, with many underground springs here and there. Traction is a must. I've seen where some of you are plowing with larger LS tractors and have the R4 tires. I've also seen where some had a whups! moment, and got your tractors stuck in spite of the R4 tires. I'm accustomed to a Farmall Cub with Ag tires, and I've yet to get stuck. Got close, but still not stuck.

I know, I know, this isn't even close to comparing apples to apples, but it's the best experience I can offer.

My thinking is: the ag tires will give me the traction I think I need. Plus they are a bit more narrow tire so that I can drop the up hill tires in the plow rut and follow the rut to continue plowing. Hopefully, they will be better for the wetter areas too, but something tells me the R4 would have more flotation for the wet areas, so I'm confused.

Opinions and actual experiences are definitely needed!

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For wet areas you will want the R1 tires. Industrial R4 tires are heavier ply for industrial use but are not much good in mud as they slick over pretty easy.
You said you would be buying a TLB but no mention of backhoe use. R4 tires will carry more weight, but for a small backhoe, R1 will suffice and yes R4 tires are a bit wider than R1 but that doesn't mean much in mud since they become racing slicks with just one round of spinning. I have Ag tires on one tractor and R4 on my B26 TLB and even in 4WD it barely can pull itself when back dragging wet spoil dirt spread out over hard ground.
If you need to traverse wet areas, go with the R1 Ag tires. I have had to use my tractor to pull my BIL out of muddy area with his NH with R4 tires numerous times.

 

[windcatcher]

"You said you would be buying a TLB but no mention of backhoe use. R4 tires will carry more weight, but for a small backhoe, R1 will suffice and yes R4 tires are a bit wider than R1 but that doesn't mean much in mud since they become racing slicks with just one round of spinning."

Sorry about that part. Backhoe will be used to help clean up on the backside of the pond dam area - really wet back there. Also have a rental garage with very old buried water pipes. I know one day I'll have to dig those up and replace them. I figured since I'm already considering buying the tractor, why not go ahead and pony up and get the backhoe at the same time. A package deal is supposed to be cheaper than buying one piece at at time?


The backside of the pond dam has scraggly saplings, Sycamores, Sweetgum, etc., that need to be thinned out a good bit. I figure with the FEL and backhoe, that will be short work come the right time.

Thanks for the input. That's pretty much what I thought would happen, but I've not had any experience at all with the R4 Industrial tires.

For the same size tractor, aren't the R1 tires a bit higher too? Seems like reading the specs for both show the R4's are much wider, but I think they are also shorter in height.

 

[GManBart]

You definitely want R1s for what you're going to do. R4s will spin very easily in wet areas that won't even slow down R1s. I have similar sized machines, and one has R4s, the other R1s. I've gone through the same area with both, had the R4s barely get through (in 4WD), and the R1s just motored right through in 2WD.

The one thing I will suggest is to consider the G3038. It only costs a bit more, but has 20% more FEL lift capacity (300lbs), which is pretty significant.

 

[windcatcher]

Good points about the differences with the R1 vs the R4 tires. I had thought that was true, but again I have no experience with the R4 tires. I have noticed some of the tractors in my area that have the R4 tires where it seems there is what I thought was premature tire wear. Could possibly be from the tires spinning, and as we all know from hot rod racing days, spinning tires wears the tread off quickly.

"The one thing I will suggest is to consider the G3038. It only costs a bit more, but has 20% more FEL lift capacity (300lbs), which is pretty significant."

I was previously considering the J2030H/J2023H tractors. Finally decided they were just too small in ground clearance for my uses. Bumping up to the G3033H is more than what I'll need. Plus, I'm on a tight budget - getting ready to retire. So, have to keep things on a tight shoe string budget whilst still getting the job done.

I did drop by my local LS dealer again yesterday. Turns out the G3033H he has left is a Tier 3 tractor. I'm hoping I can snag that one for a bit of a discount as he wants to move it out and rebuild his inventory with Tier 4 tractors.

Keeping my fingers crossed! He and I are going to go take a factory tour April 17th - next week. I can't wait. I'm already charging my camera batteries for all three cameras. Hopefully I can post some good photos here as well as video.

Thank you folks for responding. This is a serious decision for me, and I want to make the right decision the first time around.

 

[woodsman74881]

Good luck on your decision. My 3033 has done all that I have asked of it. The only thing i do regret is that the G3033 does not have drift control. Neither does the 3038 unless they have changed them since 2012. Again Good Luck!

 

[windcatcher]

Much appreciated woodsman. I'm planning on taking a LS plant tour here in NC next week if all goes well. I'm taking my cameras and hope to snap as many shots as possible. I'll post some of the photos here for everyone to see.

I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.