Tires Turf tires or industrial treads ?

cmhyland · May 13, 2005

Well,

Here's two more cents... Mine that is...

I've had my B2910 with turfs for 5 years and done
a lot of work and snow removal. Many storms of
18" to 2 feet and never needed chains.

Rears are Firestone Turfmasters and they are loaded.
They far out perform the neighbors ags pushing snow.
But that machine is 2wd.

Enjoy the new machine.

Regards,
Chris

Tom_H · May 13, 2005

B series tires have a larger diameter than a BX. That gives them more tractable contact surface area than the BX tires. I would posit that a B series will have more traction than a BX if all other variables are the same. Using industrial/bar tires is a way the BX can compensate.

LBrown59 · May 24, 2005

( 1*If you plan on mowing with your new tractor, I would stick to turf tires.
** I have AG tires on my lightweight BX2200 and it does tear up the grass quite a bit. Especially when in four wheel drive! [/quote~~~~~~~
*If it don't have ag tires it hain't a tractor!
**I don't have this problem with the ag tires even mowing in four wheel drive
with tha FEL and BH attached.

LBrown59 · May 24, 2005

( ( Great idea, but I doubt it'll work. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 I have R4 Ind. tires, appreciate their kindness to the lawn, but really need something more aggressive. )
======
 R4 Ind. tires seem to offer the worst features of both turf and ag tires.

LBrown59 · May 24, 2005

( My Cub's front Turf tires will scuff up the grass a little bit when I make a tight turn in 4WD. They were really bad on the ice & snow until I got chains for them, but what a pain in the **** to put them on. And there's always some wet areas on my property as well. I'm leaning towards the R4s. Plus they look kinda cool on the tractor, and you know how important looks are. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )
===========
 This is where the Industrials will probably tirn into racing sliks. 
 I rate them the worst choice between the 3 types of tires.

Ronster · Jun 8, 2005

OK guys, it's time. I'm gonna order my tractor this week. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'm still tormented over R4s vs Turf tires. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif How many of you have bought a B3030 or similar size CUT recently and what type of tires did you get? Also , what % of its use is for cutting lawns?

FamilyFarm · Jun 8, 2005

( B series tires have a larger diameter than a BX. That gives them more tractable contact surface area than the BX tires. I would posit that a B series will have more traction than a BX if all other variables are the same. Using industrial/bar tires is a way the BX can compensate. )

I am one of those BX owners with both bars and turfs. The turfs have been in the barn for almost 3 years. I recently decided I should put them on the tractor to get some use out of them during the mowing season. I was amazed at how much better they ride - more smooth and more cushioned! This is very important to me as I have had back surgery and have a YARD to mow, not a smooth, manicured LAWN! I first thought maybe just lower tire pressure, but even with the max 20lb pressure, the turfs clearly are smoother. I haven't tried to use them when the ground is wet, and I am sure that could be an issue with traction on a steep hill. What I did notice is actually better traction (I assume due to more surface area contact to the ground) when mowing while things are dry. I mow one area with a steep hill and fairly rough ground. I have always needed 4 wheel drive with the bar tires for that hill. With the turfs, I only needed 4 wheel drive in one spot. I have considered selling the BX and getting a larger tractor. The tractor is still small for some of my uses, but I have found myself with new excitement for the BX since putting the turf tires on. Those of you that have them in storage, give them a try - you might be surprised!

Terry

Ronster · Jun 8, 2005

I just spoke to a tire dealer. He's got good prices on tires, but according to him, I need to go through a Kubota parts dealer for the wheels. That's about $160 ea for the rear wheels alone, plus tires, that's gonna be around $1200 for a complete extra set of Kubota sneakers. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Maybe I should go back to turfs w/ a set of chains for the winter. I'm not sure if the B3030 uses a wheel from an older model Kubota, or one that is exclusive to this model, in which case a used set would be hard to find.

MGB · Jun 8, 2005

When I bought my B7800 the dealer talked me into R4's. I was sure I wanted turf tires when I was looking at tractors. I asked him if I didn't like the R4's would he swap them with turf's and he said yes. I still have the R4's. Yes they do dig up the lawn if you turn sharply or if the lawn is wet. I keep it in 2 wheel drive when on the lawn. I don't mow with it yet, but hopefully sometime I can afford a mmm. As far as the B7610 vs the B7800, those were my to choices too. I went with the B7800 because when I bought my JD lawnmower 15 years ago it wasn't long after that I was kicking myself for not going with the next size up. JMO. Good luck and have fun!

robertm · Jun 8, 2005

Ronster,
Look back into the archives. I posted last year about this. I dumped a B7500 with turfs because they were not aggressive enough, and when turning up a mild hill they would break loose and tear up my yard. I went with BAR TURFS that work wonders. They are aggressive enough to push snow without chains, they don't dig up the yard because they have traction, but they do not have a heavy tread. I'll look for the old post for apicture, but I just recommended them to a friend who just bought a B7610, and he went that way also. In fact, the dealer I bought my B7510 from didn't even know another tire type existed until I pushed him to dig deeper. After he ordered them for me, he decided that they would always stock them. See if you can get them for your model tractor. I don't think you'll be sorry. The ribs are gentle enough to prevent a bumpy ride and tearing up the grass.