Tires Turf Tires on ck20, how much psi?

[Agentiron]

I need to really lower my ground pressure for working in residencial yards. The Industrial tires are just to much on a slightly damp or soft yard. I have been considering a Toro Dingo for these applications, but really like my ck20 as well. Any idea what kind of psi I can get with Turf Tires? Will they still compress the ground and cause indentions when doing loader work? Any idea what the cost of Tires and rims for my tractor would run? Any thoughts would be super.
AI

 

[IslandTractor]

I've never looked at this issue but it seems that unless you are talking about running the tires near flat that the pounds per square inch of pressure on the soil would be about the same regardless of the turf (or other) tires air pressure. It is all about the weight of the tractor and the number of square inches of tire in contact with the ground and I doubt that changes very much unless you get into the near flat zone.

If working on soft turf is a problem, maybe the B series Kubotas would make sense rather than a Dingo or the CK.

 

[Agentiron]

Thanks Island

I am currious why you think the B series would be better then the Dingo, or my ck? I don't think there is any significant weight difference between any of the units. I know the tracked Dingo runs near 3 psi, which a tractor will never match. I figured the turf tires to be wider, and have constant ground contact where the R4's are narrow, and have deep treads to sink into the soil.

If all I did was mow or something of that nature on the turf using turf tires, I think I would be ok. The problem comes when you load up a bucket, and put all that weight on the small front tires. I don't think the turfs will elminate my problem.

Thanks
AI

 

[malk315]

I have a CK-20 w/ loader, filled turfs, and 60" MMM.

I have been cutting my lawn for over 2 years w/ it and haven't had a problem.
I used to cut w/ a 42" Toro wheel horse 315 machine.

The main difference w/ the 60" kioti setup is the wider deck can scalp easier than a 42" deck. I usually set the 3 point lowering/lifting arm to about 4 for normal cutting an pick it up to 6 for a couple uneven areas where the center of the deck might scalp. That area of ruts wasn't made by CK-20, but rather by a wood chipper we were using in the yard for tree work. If I filled it in a bit w/ loam, I could get rid of the problem.

Anyway -- I always mow with loader on and filled tires and haven't noticed any issues w/ the Kioti versus the wheel horse.

You can see pictures of my lawn in this post:

Fresh Cut Lawn w/ CK-20 and DMM-60 deck

I have a sprinkler system where the heads get run over by the CK-20 turfs every time I cut and have no issues. The load must be spread pretty well.

My solution to soil compaction is going to be an excuse to buy a core aerator for the 3 point. The turf company usually want $200 per aeration when they do it. It's a pain to rent a walk behind. If I get the core aerator, it will pay for itself quickly -- especially once all my neighbors want me to do theirs too and I charge $50.00 per aeration!

 

[malk315]

I hauled buckets of all kinds of materials around my yard (3/4" crushed stone, full buckets of loam, a huge rock) and I've never noticed the front tires digging in. They are set at stock pressure (10 or 12 PSI or something like that?)

Heaviest move I've done is probably this rock:

Large rock from deck sonnet tube hole

Many of the loads have made the front tires spread pretty well (rim gets much closer to ground from the weight and tires bubble out) and I've never made ruts.

Granted I haven't done it after tons of rain when the soil is soaked -- but usually on a normal dry day. I have typical northeast soil (light colored dirt and clay w/ 6" of loam for the lawn). I never worry about damaging my lawn.

If you weren't so far away in Indiana, I'd have you come by and play out in the woods or in the yard -- even after all the rain we've had.

 

[Agentiron]

Hey, I appreciate the info, and that you would let me come fool around in your pretty yard.

The problem areas I have are usually on clay. If the clay is moist at all my tires will leave impression.

How have you found the traction of your turf tires when doing loader work? I get tire spin pretty easy which can really abuse the turf. Do you know the width of the front turfs on your unit?

Anybody have an idea what the cost of a set of rims and turfs would be for my Kioti?

 

[ChuckinNH]

Hmm, a couple of things here. I think most turf tire / wheel set ups in the sizes you need are going to run $800 more, or less. There is more flex in the side wall, and a little more surface area to support the weight. Really don't know how much difference they would make. If your rear tires are loaded, you might try a ballast box instead, since that would take more weight off the front for loader work, and perhaps damage the turf less. The smaller Kubota B series like mine are perhaps 500 pounds lighter than your CK, and that might be enough to make a difference. Actually they are about the same weight as a large ZTR. Keep us posted on how things work out for you.

 

[malk315]

My front turfs are about 8" wide
The rear are about 10" wide

This is the width of the tread that actually engages the ground.

I do all snow removal w/ this setup and 4WD w/ keeping the front tires on the ground has no problems w/ any new england storm.

For dirt engaging stuff -- same thing. In 4WD w/ all 4 tires on the ground I haven't had a problem w/ anything.

If in 2WD I make the rear tires spin, I have to spin quite a bit before I start to dig ruts or anything of the sort.

On moist clay, my machine will not leave impressions other than the turf pattern. I would imagine R4's or Ag would really dig in a lot more.

My mower deck is about 350 lbs and I mow w/ the loader on and loaded tires. That's a lot of weight and as I mentioned before I have no problems.

I would never go back to a garden tractor for mowing.