Tires Source for second set of 2520 rims and tires

[papaw]

I bought my 2520 with R3 turfs to be as gentle as possible on our lawns while mowing this season. While I am glad I did, I can also tell that they are going to be too "slippery" for snow plowing and blowing this winter. The lowest cost approach would be to add a set of chains but I have rukled that out due to not wanting to scar up the shop apron and floor where it is stored. Therefore, I am considering buying a second set of rims and a set of R4 tires. Deere's price is almost $900. Does anyone know of a less expensive source for CUT size rims and tires?

 

[Mustangous]

I bought my 2520 with R3 turfs to be as gentle as possible on our lawns while mowing this season. While I am glad I did, I can also tell that they are going to be too "slippery" for snow plowing and blowing this winter. The lowest cost approach would be to add a set of chains but I have rukled that out due to not wanting to scar up the shop apron and floor where it is stored. Therefore, I am considering buying a second set of rims and a set of R4 tires. Deere's price is almost $900. Does anyone know of a less expensive source for CUT size rims and tires?

WOW, thats really expensive. I never priced them but thats a lot of money.

 

[Shawk]

I had been contemplating the same thing off and on after picking up my 2510... Have you run R4's in the winter yet? I had a set on my 2210 last winter and while they did a decent job... I wasn't exactly overly impressed in the snow. With the flat bar they may be no better than the turfs... I'm going to give my R3's a run on the snow and see what happens. The tread IMO seems to be aggessive enough that they're work fine in the snow. The R3's certainly aren't a mud/snow tire but I think they'll do fine in the snow clearing drives... We'll see... looks like soon than later... it's getting cold to quickly this year

Keep in mind... you don't see the pickups with snow blades running around town with R1's & r3's... instead most just have typical radials or AT tires. As long as we have out tractor weighted AND we have 4wd.... I think we'll be more than fine. Just my thinking anyway...

 

[B8FISH]

Not sure of another source--but if you were going to do it--why not get R1's? If your blower is front mount--won't you have a relatively clean spot to be driving on? I would think that with the MFWD you would be OK with the R3's--even without chains. I even think that I remember some old threads that indicated thatthe R3's were better on ice etc due to more "grabbing" points of the tread design. Worst case scenario--try it, if it doesn't work--maybe stud the tires (easy to install/remove--I don't really know?)
Would a used set off of a 4110 or 4115 fit? Maybe a wanted post?

 

[ducati996]

I dont understand the thought of spending $900 instead of getting chains? That would be enough of a deterrence for me to use chains. Chains are not that bad, even on pavers or fresh blacktop. Its the spining that causes the problem. At least with the 2520 the combination of 4wd and diff. lock will basically eliminate that from happening (unless you really get stuck)...

I used a 4100 for a number of winters with R4 (loaded and no chains) FEL, and a rear blade and traversed many step driveways with no problem. The key for success is to have lots of weight (load the tires or add wheel weight, etc..) of course if your conditions are always really bad -like icey and real steep, then the only thing that will help is chains. You only really need them on the rears, and really dont cost a lot. Plus they are removable if the conditions dont require it. Saves you $$$

Are you using a blower, a front blade or FEL and a blade on back?

 

[Toolguy]

I have turfs on my Kubota and they are excellent in the snow. I think you should try what you have before you spend money on something, that IMHO, will not meet your expectations. I have used farm tractors with R1s in the snow and they do not work well at all. Actually, it is not the snow that is the problem, it is the packed snow that turns to ice that causes the problems. The only thing better than turfs on ice is turfs with chains. Also, MFWD makes all the difference. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well your current setup will work. Good luck.

 

[papaw]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll give the turf's a try first and load the 2520 up as much as I can with wheel weights and my cement filled ballast box. If I have problems using this setup with a 47" thrower, I'll give rear chains a try. Does anybody have a recommended source for chains to fit the rear turfs?

 

[Nuru]

I have been using my turf tires without chains or filling in wet snow up to 24 inches and have been lucky enough not to have to resort to chains or weights (did i say lucky, yep). Now at my current home, I got filled tires on the rear and it is looking like a less snowy enviroment, but more slopes to deal with!

 

[ducati996]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll give the turf's a try first and load the 2520 up as much as I can with wheel weights and my cement filled ballast box. If I have problems using this setup with a 47" thrower, I'll give rear chains a try. Does anybody have a recommended source for chains to fit the rear turfs?

As for rear ballast instead of the weight box, I would look at a rear blade - the rear blades are very useful in clearing snow down to the surface. And since you are using the blower, it should be a killer combo

as for chains
Try these guys

tractor tire chains for farm tractors

 

[Superduper]

..........Therefore, I am considering buying a second set of rims and a set of R4 tires. Deere's price is almost $900. Does anyone know of a less expensive source for CUT size rims and tires?

Is that $900 for a set of 4, or just for the rears? Since the tire combinations are sized differently from R3's to R4's, you should replace them in complete sets otherwise you could create issues with unequal tire rotation speeds from front/rear axles. Your 2520 is MFWD. $900 for a complete set is not that bad. Then again, if you look at the size of your rear tires, $900 for a NEW set of rims and tires aren't that bad either. You can probably save some money by buying the rims from Deere and buying your tires elsewhere. Someone else mentioned getting R1's for better traction. For your tractor, it appears JD does not offer R1's as an option but then again, I may be wrong.