Have any of you BX owners noticed a difference in traction, be it winter or summer conditions, when going from turf saver tires to the bar tires? In retrospect I suppose I am more interested in winter conditions as I would stick with the turf tires for mowing my lawn in the summer. Thanks for any input!!
Traction Traction Difference Between Turf and Bar tires?
- Thread starter AKFord
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JimR
Elite Member
There is a big difference between the two in traction. My neighbors old Bota 1700 had turfs on all fours. without chains the tractor was pretty useless in the woods and fields in the winter in snow. I have industrials on the front of my Cub 7275 and turfs on the rear. The turfs really lack the traction on snow and ice. I have chains on order for the rears and should have them this week.
SeymourBota
Platinum Member
I have turfs on my BX and run 2-link chains in the winter or when I am doing a project with the loader and traction is excellent.
I am now running a set of bars in the front during the winter and when I mow in my neighbors field, which can get soft.
For the extra $100 for a 2nd set of fronts, I will tell you I have the best of both worlds (if you plan to mow).
and before anybody says it...the bar and turf tires are the same size AND have the same rolling radius- I checked the manufacturer specs and measured them myself. There is no measurable difference- well within tolerance for 4wd use in slippery stuff.
I am now running a set of bars in the front during the winter and when I mow in my neighbors field, which can get soft.
For the extra $100 for a 2nd set of fronts, I will tell you I have the best of both worlds (if you plan to mow).
and before anybody says it...the bar and turf tires are the same size AND have the same rolling radius- I checked the manufacturer specs and measured them myself. There is no measurable difference- well within tolerance for 4wd use in slippery stuff.
Keybal
Bronze Member
AFORD:
I got my BX22 about a year ago. I ordered it with turf tires because I diden't want to "dig up" the lawn. However, this machine is not the one we use to cut with. (SHE uses a JD 279 for that). With all of the rain we have had in the northeast in the past two years, I couldn't count the number of time I got stuck with truf tires for the first couple of months. I finally called my salesman and got a set of bar tires on rims and mounted them on the tractor. Haven't have a problem since. The bar tires will create some ruts when everything is wet, but it beats trying to get the tractor "unstuck" all of the time. The turf tires have been sitting on a self in the shed ever since.
I got my BX22 about a year ago. I ordered it with turf tires because I diden't want to "dig up" the lawn. However, this machine is not the one we use to cut with. (SHE uses a JD 279 for that). With all of the rain we have had in the northeast in the past two years, I couldn't count the number of time I got stuck with truf tires for the first couple of months. I finally called my salesman and got a set of bar tires on rims and mounted them on the tractor. Haven't have a problem since. The bar tires will create some ruts when everything is wet, but it beats trying to get the tractor "unstuck" all of the time. The turf tires have been sitting on a self in the shed ever since.
Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
Difference?
Well I don't know about snow. But I do know about wet grass/clay. Turfs just don't hack it for my conditions.
I doubt my BX will ever see the turfs on it again, even though it is my main mowing machine.
My guess is for snow bar tires maybe equally effective... when traction is an issue.
Well I don't know about snow. But I do know about wet grass/clay. Turfs just don't hack it for my conditions.
I doubt my BX will ever see the turfs on it again, even though it is my main mowing machine.
My guess is for snow bar tires maybe equally effective... when traction is an issue.
sandyc
Veteran Member
As long as you don't mow when the ground is wet and soft and don't use 4wd on the lawn you'll find bar tires a great all-around tire......have never been stuck while plowing/blowing my 300 plus foot drive....
ZackaryMac
Silver Member
Turf tires with chains should work better than bar tires without. Chains have a tendancy to fall down between the bars on bar tires, and they don't do much good there. The chains will sit up on the turf tires, allowing them to work properly.
Certainly the turfs w/chains will give superior traction on hard-packed/ice conditions, compared to plain bar tires. I get lots of ice here so chains the chains will work for me.
Actually, I'm going to put some Massey front wheels on the back of the B6100 with pick-up truck tires on them so they are narrower than the turfs, and the chains will fit on them just great.
Certainly the turfs w/chains will give superior traction on hard-packed/ice conditions, compared to plain bar tires. I get lots of ice here so chains the chains will work for me.
Actually, I'm going to put some Massey front wheels on the back of the B6100 with pick-up truck tires on them so they are narrower than the turfs, and the chains will fit on them just great.
Jim_Becker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
- Messages
- 263
- Location
- Bucks County PA
- Tractor
- Kubota BX-22 (Formerly BX-2200 owner 130 hrs)
The BX2200 I originally had was equipped with the turf tires. The BX22 I now own has the bar-turf tires. NO WAY would I go back to the turfs, even for mowing. I get no marking unless it's sopping wet out and remarkably better traction in all conditions. Moving snow last winter was almost (almost..) a pleasure with the bar tires and lots of weight on the back of the machine. The BX bar tires are also very forgiving because they are wide and "float" when you need a gentle touch but can dig in when that is the need, too.
