Chains Turf with Chains or Bar for a BX2230

Scrounger · Feb 23, 2005

For the BX owners out their. If I dont want to have two sets of tires everyone recommends bar, but I just dont want to hurt the lawn. (My third child.) For digging with the bucket or snow removal, I was just planning on a set of good chains on the turf tires.

Question one is, will turf tires with chains be good for dirt traction when needed or is their no replacement for the bar tires.

Question two is, are their any clearance issues with chains on the turf tires on a BX2230?

SeymourBota · Feb 23, 2005

No clearance issues with chains on the BX with turfs. I run 2-link chains on the rear in the winter and whenever I have any significant amount of loader work to do. Excellent traction.
I did invest in a front set only of bar tires & rims- cost just under $100.00 for winter and when it's really muddy. They are the exact same size and rolling radius as the turfs, so you can change out the fronts only- I have noticed much better traction & steering with the bars on the front this winter.
Any time you need the chains, they mount up in less than 10 minutes and come off in 2 minutes!!

Tom_H · Feb 23, 2005

Matt,

I have used both kinds of tires on my BX2200. The bar tires simply do no more damage to lawn than the turf tires. The BX is not a heavy tractor, and you will use 2wd only while mowing. Everybody that I know who has both sets uses only the bar tires. I wish that I had had access to the information on this site when I was preparing to order my tractor 5 years ago. It is, of course, your money and your decision, but when there are so many people who say the same thing, there's probably a good reason.

You might ask your dealer whether you can start with bar tires, and then if you don't like them, trade them in for the turf tires for a few bucks. Your profile doesn't show where you live. If you're anywhere close to Sacramento and shipping isn't prohibitive, I'd be glad to sell you my turf tires which are on their own rims.

Good Luck,
Tom

JimMorrissey · Feb 23, 2005

Matt,

Bars will show on the lawn, but not as bad as you might think. I had both and ended up mowing with the bars usually.

As far as chains go...what a pain to deal with that each time you need to dig. I guess it depends on how much loader work you do and what you use the machine for.

Do you mow 95% of the time (get turfs), or do you dig a lot and mix it up a bit (bars IMO). The turfs are pretty nice though. If you have a lot of clay they will "slick up" quick and you'll be spinning. Another question is how nice is your lawn? Maybe it's worth spinning a bit for the soft turfs. As pathetic as it sounds, the BX looks a lot more like a tractor with the bars /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Av8r3400 · Feb 23, 2005

Done quite a bit of box-blading with the turfs. They work pretty well, as is. I never tried the bar tires.

Junkman · Feb 23, 2005

I tried pulling a landscape rake with turf tires and it would bog down. When I switched to the bar tires, it pulled without any problem. In both instances I was using my old Bolens HT23 tractor with 2 wheel drive. I believe that since the size and weight is similar to the BX, that the same experience would still apply to the BX, unless I shifted into 4 wheel drive. Turfs are good for mowing, but bar tires are good for both. In wet ground, I have torn up the turf with the bars and gotten them quite muddy. If I had the turfs, then I would have been just stuck. If the majority of the work that you plan on doing involves the loader, then I suggest bars. If you are going to be doing mostly mowing, then go with the turf tires. I have both and haven't had occasion to install the turf tires, but there have been occasions where I should have installed them to lessen the damage to the turf. I have to cut grass in the spring when the ground is quite soft. With the turfs, I wouldn't be able to get through some areas. With the bars, I can get through them, but it does show where I have been. When the ground firms up, I go back and repair the damage. We all must make choices and I prefer to repair damage than getting stuck in the mud..... Junk....

Scrounger · Feb 24, 2005

I will be doing lots of lawn work but I also have some wooded work to do in building some trails. I would prefer to stay with turf to save the lawn, and they are pretty good in the snow from what I hear. I'm going to have to roll the dice and use the chains when I need the extra traction that 4x4 cant provide with the turfs.

otherwise I buy the bars down the road.

Av8r3400 · Feb 24, 2005

Try it and see what happens. You can allways add the bars.

tawilson · Feb 24, 2005

I leave the chains on my turf tires year round.

botalvr · Feb 24, 2005

If you get some bar tires, I can sell you some turf tires. Had them on once. The bar tires never have torn up my lawn (2wd only). I would go with the bar tires, and then again the additional set only cost me $270, with rims.
So what the heck, get both. Easy for me to spend your money, huh?
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif