Tires R4 tires verses oversize Turfs

[Rolando]

I would appreciate some opinions of tire types. The land I will be working has a full tree canopy so it's mostly sand and perfectly flat, not a foot of drop in 5 acres. Before building a house and lawn, I will need to take down a lot of trees and do some grading for drainage.

It occurred to me that up front an R4 industrial would probably be better in terms of getting better traction than a turf tire. But after construction when I'm mowing grass, the R4 might beat up the grass too much.

What do you all think about getting the oversize Turf tire as a compromise between better traction now on the sand and being gentler on the grass later on?

 

[SeymourBota]

I wound up buying turfs, but everyone I spoke with indicated that the R4s were a flotation tire, like the turfs and would not do as bad a job on the grass as the ags. Now, an oversize ag might not be as damaging, but the R4 tread is fairly flat across. I was told it was the best overall compromise, if mowing was involved.

 

[OrangeGuy]

I put the oversize turfs on my new Kubota L3430 tractor. I have been very happy with them. I pull a 2-14 3pt plow and 7' field cultivator with no slippage. No chains required for snowblower. Feather soft on the lawn.

OrangeGuy

 

[Henro]

It would help knowing what size tractor you are talking about...but my guess it is not that small.

The larger the tractor the greater the price for a second set of wheels/tires, so you want to be correct the first time around.

I hear flat and sand. My gut says get the oversized turf tires.

I have R4s on my B2910 Kubota, and they fill up with clay anyway...ags would be better, but too expensive now.

The ONLY thing about the Turfs might be punctures. I think, but do not know for sure, that turffs might puncture easier than r4 tires...is this a concern?

If you get the turf tires and traction is an issue, you could add chains cheaper than an second set of tires that you do not need in the long run, I bet.

Flat and sand screams TURF to me...both for the short and long run...I could be wrong though.

Remember, do your best to do it right the first time, as correcting the mistake may cost over a thousand dollars if you don't...unless that is a real small tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Rolando]

Sorry Henro, I'm looking at a compact, an L3130 or 3830. And you're right about the cost, the oversize turfs are an extra $596 retail over the standard tires (might get the dealer to give on that).

Normally, punctures shouldn't be a problem, but building a house generates a lot of nails . . . I would have to be careful when bringing supplies to the house area.

Another factor is that the seasonal high water table is greater than 25 feet below the surface (I'm at 85 feet above MSL). That may not seem like much to the Northerners, but it's a lot for Florida. The rainfall just gets sucked into the ground, so wet sand would never be an issue.

 

[Bota76er]

Rolando,

I have R4s on my B7610 which is obviously lighter then the tractors you are looking at. I'm in the same sandy flat terrain as you. I've been digging stumps and grading for three months now. Also mowing the lawn in between. I found two tricks:
1) disengage the 4WD
2) if you turn sharp, slow way down

I get occasional tear out in the centipede grass if I don't do #2. However in a couple weeks you can't even notice it anymore. Depends if you want a manacured "lawn" or just a "yard" with grass. I have no plans to get turf tires. I love my R4s.

 

[KennyV]

Turfs work good on sand, clay, snow and grass. But so do R4s.

I would go with the tallest, widest wheel/tire combo you can get. With 4WD you should have no problems with traction, and like it has already been said… mow in 2WD.

Good luck. KennyV.
PS. Tall & wide will give you a very nice ride while mowing.