New 3520 -- need advice

[Phunge]

Hello,

Upgrading from a 2320 to a 3520 with the following attachments:

• 485 Backhoe + thumb
• 300cx loader + 4in1 bucket
• 72d deck
• 59" front snowblower
• B2060 box blade

Got tired of waiting for the 270 backhoe, and have a bunch of projects (stone work) for which I need the increased capacity of the 300cx and 485 anyways.

I'm all set to do the deal, but am undecided on which tires. My 2320 has the R4s, and while i'm careful not to tread on my yard when wet, I am noticing certain areas are getting quite compacted. I'm thinking I will go with the turfs this time, which will hopefully offset the additional weight of the 3520. Mostly the 3520 will be used to landscape my property, so will be operating on my lawn for the most part. I have two concerns about the turf tires, though:

• I have some fairly steep hills that I mow. Will the R3s have enough traction to get up and down without sliding? Maybe I just need to stay off the hills when wet?
• My driveway also has a fairly steep hill. In the winter it ices up quite a bit -- I use a 3pt spreader to put sand/salt down and have had no traction problems with the 2320 & R4s. Will the 3520 with R3s be OK in the snow? I figure the 'Turf' tread is still more aggresive than my pickup truck tires, and it's like a tank in 4x4. Not interested in using chains, I hate wrestling with them to get them on, and don't want to wreck my garage floor.

I've waffled back and forth between the small R4s, big R4s and Turfs several times. I've even contemplated ordering a set of R1s to use in the winter or when I need extra traction. I figure with the BH and Loader and impact gun it would be pretty easy to change the tires. It's a fair amount of extra expense, though, plus i have to store them.

Would apreciate any advice.

 

[shortthrow50]

turf tires you wont need chains in snow. it is the same as having a good winter tire on a plow truck.

 

[Phunge]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking as well.

 

[ORCM]

Hello,

Upgrading from a 2320 to a 3520 with the following attachments:

• 485 Backhoe + thumb
• 300cx loader + 4in1 bucket
• 72d deck
• 59" front snowblower
• B2060 box blade

Got tired of waiting for the 270 backhoe, and have a bunch of projects (stone work) for which I need the increased capacity of the 300cx and 485 anyways.

I'm all set to do the deal, but am undecided on which tires. My 2320 has the R4s, and while i'm careful not to tread on my yard when wet, I am noticing certain areas are getting quite compacted. I'm thinking I will go with the turfs this time, which will hopefully offset the additional weight of the 3520. Mostly the 3520 will be used to landscape my property, so will be operating on my lawn for the most part. I have two concerns about the turf tires, though:

• I have some fairly steep hills that I mow. Will the R3s have enough traction to get up and down without sliding? Maybe I just need to stay off the hills when wet?
• My driveway also has a fairly steep hill. In the winter it ices up quite a bit -- I use a 3pt spreader to put sand/salt down and have had no traction problems with the 2320 & R4s. Will the 3520 with R3s be OK in the snow? I figure the 'Turf' tread is still more aggresive than my pickup truck tires, and it's like a tank in 4x4. Not interested in using chains, I hate wrestling with them to get them on, and don't want to wreck my garage floor.

I've waffled back and forth between the small R4s, big R4s and Turfs several times. I've even contemplated ordering a set of R1s to use in the winter or when I need extra traction. I figure with the BH and Loader and impact gun it would be pretty easy to change the tires. It's a fair amount of extra expense, though, plus i have to store them.

Would apreciate any advice.

I'm thinking about doing the exact same thing, trading in my 2320 for a 3520. My 2320 is in the shop (Been over a month.) so the dealer gave me a 3520 as a loner with R4's, and finish mower. I don't really notice too much difference on the yard from when I'm mowing with my 2320. However, I was also thinking about getting R3's, but are they tough enough to handle loader work and rocks? If you do the deal, I would like to know what you think.

 

[Phunge]

Decided to go with the large r4s. I've been happy with the r4s on my 2320, so I decided to play it safe. They may be harder on the lawn, but safer on my hills.

the cost to swap the tires later is huge. Still second guessing though.

Now i wait, will take a month to get the tractor from the factory.

 

[ORCM]

Decided to go with the large r4s. I've been happy with the r4s on my 2320, so I decided to play it safe. They may be harder on the lawn, but safer on my hills.

the cost to swap the tires later is huge. Still second guessing though.

Now i wait, will take a month to get the tractor from the factory.

Why do you think the R4's are safer on the hills (I have hills too.)? I thought the R3's were the same sizes as the bigger R4's.

 

[LD1]

Why do you think the R4's are safer on the hills (I have hills too.)? I thought the R3's were the same sizes as the bigger R4's.

Traction makes them safer. Less slipping and sliding when going up, down, or sideways if it is damp/wet at all.

 

[Phunge]

Traction makes them safer. Less slipping and sliding when going up, down, or sideways if it is damp/wet at all.

That was my thinking. I've not tried R3s, so I could be wrong, but I know my R4s have been great in this regard on my 2320.

 

[ORCM]

The loaner 3520 with R4's, and a cab like to spin when I'm mowing on a slope. I thinking the man reason for this is the loader is on, and I dont think the rear tires are loaded. With that cab, and not having the tires loaded it gets a little scary. If it were mine I would be ordering wheel spacers!

 

[RoyJackson]

turf tires you wont need chains in snow. it is the same as having a good winter tire on a plow truck.

That's a blanket statement and not correct in all circumstances.

I do see the OP decided to go with R-4s...probably a good decision.