Tires and Maintenance questions

milemarker211 · Mar 28, 2017

Hi Guys,
Want to buy a new L2501 w. loader and loaded rear tires and noticed that all the tires on display models here have industrial tires. From a post I'd seen on here, someone mentioned that u can't choose to take a wider stance on industrial tires like u can with Ag tires. My situation here is that about a third of my 11 acres are hilly [fairly steep] and one 1 or 2 acres even more steep. I won't be mowing with the Kubota, since I do that w. a 60" zero-turn Gravely [and yeah, i do slide around a lot on the steep section] and tho I won't often be using the Kubota in these areas, I'll likely need to at some point for cleanup work. In addition, I seldom work in mud but plan to use the loader for snow removal and I know Ag tires give better traction than industrial, tho I do like the fact that industrials are wider tires and spread the weight of the tractor better. So, I guess my question is, just how easy or difficult would it be to rollover a Kubota w. loader and loaded industrial tires that can't be swapped to take a wider stance like you can w. Ag tires on hilly [and sometimes 'uneven'] ground?
Thanks in advance for your input.

moship · Mar 28, 2017

When looking at the L2501's did you notice if it had 1-pc or 2-pc rims? 2-pc rims are typically adjustable and would provide the greatest opportunity for adjustment.

Looking at L2501's on Kubota.com they provide conflicting photos. In one photo they show 1-pc rims being used with R4's and in the "Tire Choice" photo, it shows 2-pc rims.

milemarker211 · Mar 28, 2017

moship said:
When looking at the L2501's did you notice if it had 1-pc or 2-pc rims? 2-pc rims are typically adjustable and would provide the greatest opportunity for adjustment.

Looking at L2501's on Kubota.com they provide conflicting photos. In one photo they show 1-pc rims being used with R4's and in the "Tire Choice" photo, it shows 2-pc rims.

Thanks for your reply and no, I didn't notice, but I did talk to the salesman by phone today and he said that for three-quarters of the tractors they sell, the owners take industrials, adding that because the Ag tires make the tractor higher, the lower industrial tires give added stability by lowering the center of gravity.
He also said that there are wheel-spacers for the industrial tires which would add 4 inches total, [2-inches each side] to space out the stance, though that would add $300 bucks to the price of the tractor, which he originally quoted w. loader and loaded tires at just under $19,300 -- I think that's likely a mid-range price from much of what I've read on this site, but, being early Springtime, I guess, like cars and trucks, that's not the best time to purchase if u want the best bargain you can get. On the other hand, if I wait until Fall, I don't get to have fun [except for snow-removal] until next year so, like everything else, it's a tradeoff and u pay a bit more for instant gratification.... LOL.

Fallon · Mar 28, 2017

Correct, the R4 rims on the economy Kubotas are not adjustable. The R4 rims on my new L4060 grand are, but the R4s on my old L3200 (same frame as the L2501) were not.

R1s are taller but not that much. I prefer the carrying capacity, durability & lesser turf damage of R4s.

I thought about wheel spacers ($200-300) so snow chains would fit between the tires & frame but never got around to it. I had my L3200 WAY heeled over mowing ditches on occasion. Felt bad but never had issues. I'd leave it in 2wd & a few times the high side wheel would just spin when it was to steep.

Good machine & stable enough, but you need spacers to run chains. Also the 60" track worked well for me & my impliments. You need wider impliments to some degree if you get spacers. So plan on that from the get go if you are thinking about them.

I just ran front chains & that worked well enough. After the front chains got steering while plowing back & increased my capacity i didnt care eniugh to bother with spacers for the rears. I actually have a set of rear chains for the long gone L3200. Never got em on to check fit because of the frame clearance issues. I should probably sell em cheap. PM me if anybody is interested.

AStanton · Mar 29, 2017

Good comments here so far. If you ever plan on chaining up those rear tires, make sure you have at least 2" clearance between them and your frame/fenders. Also if you plan on loading your rear tires, look at foaming them. With foam you will never get a flat and won't have to worry about maintaining an air pressure.
Good luck.

moship · Mar 29, 2017

You might want to confirm spacers are available for the L-series tractors. They are definitely available for the B's. Last month I was looking to buy a L3940 from my local dealer. In discussing my desire for tire chains and lack of clearance, he quickly stated spacer are available. We went back to his desk to check on the spacer order code & cost. To his surprise he couldn't find any spacer listed (from Kubota) for this tractor or L's in general

If tire chains are in your future, I'd confirm spacers are available. Perhaps they are available from the aftermarket, but then you get into the multiple bolt patterns across the L-Series tractors.

Rubber tire chains might not be for everyone, but they do work with minimal side clearance. I had to go this route, with my tractor.