Which tire is best?

[Accubite]

I'm a new member but have been reading lots of threads for the past two weeks. Thanks to the great information here I decided to order a B3030 with 735 FEL and 60" MMM. I live in the upstate of South Carolina, soil is mostly red clay but some topsoil. I have 5 acres partially wooded with creek and hills. The hills get up to a 20% grade in places. I have been using an old borrowed 26 HP JD 2wd with loaded Ag tires on rear to bush hog lot. The JD has done well but I have noticed it pull pretty hard when cutting up hill and the Ag tires really have to bite in to get up the steepest parts.

My question is what tire should I have put on? I've read all the posts about tires and from them I've learned the Turf tire marks the turf less, and has the smoothest ride but least traction. The R4 has better traction but has a harder ride and moderate turf marking. The Ag has best traction but will tear up a lawn.

I will likely be doing about 75% mowing and 25% loader work in woods and around creek. I have already decided to load the rear tires on whatever I get.

In my situation would I get sufficient traction between the 4wd and turf tires? Would I get more traction from the R4 tires and is there that much difference in the ride of Turf and R4 tires? I've pretty much ruled out Ag tires due to the finish mowing I'll be doing. Thanks for the input.

 

[wushaw]

R4s will do fine if it's not muddy...they will just fill up and turn to slicks.

 

[Toolguy]

I have a B3030 with Turf tires. Most of my use is mowing a finished lawn but I also use it to plow my garden and plow snow. I have done quite a bit of loader work also. My soil is mostly sand but it has some sticky clay in it that really gets slick when wet. I am very impressed with the traction I get with the turfs and 4WD. My rear tires are filled with Rim Guard. If I was doing it again I would still want turfs. The only reason I can think of where R4's might be better would be if you did a lot of work in the woods and/or brush hogging on unknown land. The R4s are tougher and will take more abuse.

 

[Accubite]

Thanks for the info. I noticed I put the wrong loader number. I meant the LA403 What about the ride of R4s versus Turf? Has anyone had both and noticed a big difference between the two?

 

[N80]

I live in upstate SC too and I have Ags on my L4400. I wouldn't even consider anything else for the red clay, mud and hills around here. However, I do not have any lawn to mow and even when the ground is dry the Ags will mark a lawn, particularly the fronts, primarily when turning, even in 2wd. If the ground is wet they will pull the grass right out.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I will likely be doing about 75% mowing and 25% loader work in woods and around creek. I have already decided to load the rear tires on whatever I get.

75% mowing...I would go with turf unless you are mowing in straight lines then maybe R4. If you are mowing around trees, flower beds, etc, on a lawn then I would go with turf tires.

The MFWD and FEL should provide enough weight and assistance in pulling the hill.

For the woods, creek and FEL work you could get a set of chains for the truf tires to help with traction.

 

[Atlas]

Do loaded R4 tires cause more turf damage than unloaded R4s?
I haven't had a need for the extra weight but this would be a concern if it ever came into play.

 

[Accubite]

Thanks for the Carolina perspectives. I will be mowing straight line for the most part. As I understand the R4s may do lawn damage mostly when turning. If I cut without the FEL I should be able to keep the weight off the front. I don't know about the rear weighted R4. Would I get any improved traction on solid grass covered ground with R4s over turf tires?

 

[JLoaf]

.... What about the ride of R4s versus Turf? Has anyone had both and noticed a big difference between the two?

I have Turfs on my B2710 - very nice ride for a tractor.
I have Ag tires on my L3830 - not as good a ride as the turf's.
I do not have R4's on anything but I have been told they provide a pretty stiff ride.

 

[fishpick]

I'm an R4 kinda guy for mixed work... that's my vote... like it will make a difference (sorry, still hung on the elections)