1st Tractor - Help with some purchase options?

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm about to buy a new B7500HST with the LA302 FEL from Issaquah Kubota (thanks for the tip, Greg -- it was a better deal!). I close the deal tomorrow and need to make some last decisions. I'm hoping y'all can give me the benefits of your experience.

1. Tires - I've read the threads on R1s vs R4s. We have some mud from the horses, which had me leaning toward the R1s. But I think I'd like to run it on the lawn, too, so I'm wondering -- how will the R4s do in 3" - 4" of mud? I see most of you got the R4s.

2. Tires again - to fill or not to fill? They use calcium chloride (or something like that) which I gather will eventually rust the rims. They don't offer antifreeze or windshield wiper fluid or beet juice as an alternative. The "fill" decision relates to the mud, I guess, and stability and safety. Any places around Seattle that will fill them with an alternate? How much does filling the tires help?

3. Box Scraper - we'd probably use one a lot, and I like the additional traction and stability it will provide. They offered a "Bush Hog" box scraper for $529, but I think he said it only weighed 300+ lbs. Seems kinda light. Should I opt for a Woods or some other alternative, or maybe look for a used one?

4. I gather a hydraulic top link is handy for a box scraper -- is that a tractor feature or a box scraper feature, and can I add it later? and is it related to "T&T"?

For context, we'll use the tractor mostly for hauling and spreading manure, sand and gravel; digging post holes; and establishing and maintaining a trail around the perimeter of our property (4 acres).

Sorry for the deluge of questions. Thanks for any info on any of 'em you can share with me.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Banjo,
Welcome to the tractor fraternity and TBN.
I doubt I can give a complete answer to all of your questions but here goes:
1. If you're going to be on a lawn, especially if its wet, ags are probably not a good choice.
2. To fill or not to fill? Everybody has an opinion. I like mine filled.
3. 4 ft. box blade? The Woods GB is 335 lb.
4. Tractor adder (gosh, I'd like to get mine set up). You need to add a remote piping kit, a remote valve (or a multi-section valve for more capability) misc. hoses and a cylinder. Can be done at purchase or after, though probably cheaper to do it at purchase(???)
BTW, congrats on the new machine.
Hope this helps.
DaveL

 

[frank_f15]

the age old question WHICH TIRES? i like R4 but that is my opinion for MY USES. yours may be totally different. ags give u more cleat, r4s give u more tire to the road so to speak, ags will do better when they have someting to dig into. 4 in of mud ? nothing grabs mud! its whats underneath the mud that the tires grab. hope this helps. sometimes i don't make my self to clear /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[chim]

I can offer comment on a couple of your questions.

1. I agonized over the tire selection before (OK, during) the purchase last year. The R4's finally won out. I've used the tractor in mud, snow drought, wet and dry grass. They worked fine. Didn't need chains for the snow. With deep gumbo mud, the R1's may work better, but they were SO aggressive-looking I didn't wnat to use them on a decent lawn. A couple reasons I went with R4's on my 7500 were the amount of rubber on the ground (I have another CUT, and the R1's wore down fairly fast) and the R4's seem more rugged (for the FEL).

The R4's need "aired down" to what seems like too little pressure in order to get a softer ride. I wouldn't go much under 10-12# and put a big load on the drivetrain. At one point last Summer I was down to 7# and got the rotary mower caught on something. The one rear wheel spun inside the tire, and I leaked a small amount of antifreeze. Put more air in and all is well.

2. The rear tires have 15 gallons of antifreeze each for weight. It's still possible to latch onto something that doesn't want to release it's grip on the earth and lift a rear wheel. For heavy stuff, I grab an implement for the 3PH....................chim

 

[GregJ]

Banjo,
I'm glad the deal worked out for you. I have really enjoyed dealing with Issaquah. You'll love your B7500. As far as your questions:
1. Mud - 3-4inches is childs play for the R4's on the B7500. However, one thing to remember is that 3-4 inches can quickly turn into 6-8+ inches with if you drive over it regularly with a tractor. It all depends on your soil and drainage. The area that I have as my "work area" for piles of sand, compost, mulch, etc. is directly over a vein of clay that runs through my property. I have had to work in it during some fairly heavy rain this winter and ended up using every inch of the 12 inches of clearance my tractor has. What started out as a little mud is now a real mess. I have never had a problem getting the tractor in and out. If you have level land, the 4wd and low range make this tractor pretty unstoppable.
2. Loaded tires.... I did my own. For me it was a little overkill since I have a 850lb. BH on most of the time, but I like the added safety. I did have a "little" trouble, but like most things, once you have done it, you know how to do it. I shared my saga with the group. Here is a link: Tire Loading Trouble
I think I would do it again, especially now that I know just about everything that could go wrong. As far as box scraper, I don't have one, so I can't help you with that. Good luck with your new purchase.

Greg