31xx large tire option?

1stDeuce · Sep 13, 2016

Can anyone tell me if there is or has been a large tire option for the 30xx or 31xx series tractors? This weekend I looked at an XR3037 next to an XR4150, and it looks to me like they're practically the same tractor, with the 4150 having a slightly longer wheelbase and of course larger tires. The steering was a bit different too, so hopefully the 41xx has a heaver front axle, but hood, cowling, frame, etc looked to be the same...

I didn't think to really check things out, as it didn't occur to me till after that if there was a large tire option for an XR3135, it might suit me well... I will need a BH, but the 31 and 41 series tractors use pretty much the same hoe, so not as much advantage to the bigger tractor if it comes with the same 7' hoe as the small tractor...

To keep the F/R ratio constant, you could go from 7-14 to 7-16 on the front (New wheels needed) and 11.2-24 to 12.4-24 on the back. It would overdrive the front by 2%, but that's probably not going to cause any issues at all with AG tires... A 8-16 would be even better, but then you'd have to go to a 26" rear wheel, and the rear tire might have issues with the fenders. The fenders that look like they were made to clear bigger tires, btw...

Any thoughts?

Anyone know of any features that the 41xx tractors have that the XR3135 does not? They even appear to use the same engine now that it's an LS engine. Crazy that that little 3 cylinder gets used from 35 to 55 hp... And all via the engine calibrations as far as I can tell...

BlessedMess · Sep 13, 2016

The biggest difference I noticed was in 3PH and FEL weight capacity -- the 3135 is down ~950 and 500 lbs respectively (also with reduced rollback and dump angles) -- and the fuel tank has about 2 gal. less capacity too. As you mentioned it has smaller front tires and is incrementally shorter in wheelbase, width, etc. and also about 800lbs lighter than the 4100 (cab vs. cab). With the BH being a primary consideration, think the lower weight could be a disadvantage for big digs and stability on slopes.

Not sure on creature features like cruise control. The engine designations are the same, but would bet there are larger injectors and maybe a few other tweaks to produce the extra HP. Would be neat to see if an ECU swap would increase HP and by how much.

Dealer web pricing is about $3700 more for the 4140HC vs 3135HC, and have toyed with idea of a 3135HC, but really want 35+ HP at PTO to run larger cutters. Perhaps the 3135 is under-rated in HP by the manufacturer given its mechanical similarity to the 40HP+ 4100 series?

Reload5 · Sep 13, 2016

I went with the 4140HC for the FEL and 3PH capabilities... Your cost for the move from 3135 to the 4140 should be about half or even less than what your stating... No brainer IMO.

3135HC specs:
3-Point Lift Capacity - 1,808 lbs.
Loader Lift Capacity - 2,178 lbs.

4140HC specs:
3-Point Lift Capacity - 2,755 lbs.
Loader Lift Capacity - 2,713 lbs.

BlessedMess · Sep 14, 2016

You're right -- $2700 difference in web pricing (maybe less of a difference with negotiating).

George2615 · Sep 14, 2016

The larger tire option would be nice to know. Such as, would the wheels and tires from an XR4140 fit on an XR3135.

XR3135 R4's are F 25x8.5-14 / R 43x16-20
XR4140 R4's are F 12-16.5 / R 17.5-24

Same question would apply to the XR3037 / XR4040 series as they have the same tires as the 31/41 series.

1stDeuce · Sep 14, 2016

No, the ratios are wrong to just swap on the 40/41 series wheels/tires. Fronts would be quite a bit too big... For a large tire combo on 3-series tractors, you'd want a 16" wheel for the front, but the 16" wheel used on the 4 series tractors is probably also too wide for a 7-16 tire, since they're running a 9.5-16. You'd have to get a wheel of some other brand of CUT. The 6-lug patter is pretty standard, so shouldn't be difficult to find a 16x6 or 16x7 wheel...

I didn't look into Industrial tires, but I think you'd want to go from the 14" wheel to a 15" wheel on the front, whereas the 4 series jumps to a 16.5" wheel.

I haven't heard back from the dealer yet, but I'm not holding my breath... I think if there was a package available, we'd have seen it. I'll proably go with Reload's advice and just buy a 4 series tractor. I could probably get by with less, but nobody seems to regret having "too much" CUT.

George2615 · Sep 14, 2016

I don't have any regrets buying my 3037. It is 10HP and almost 1500 lbs. heavier than my last tractor. The 3037 is a great tractor and does everything I need it to. Swapping out my wheels and tires would be a huge expense that I really don't need right now. I know it is possible and was curious why they don't offer the option of larger.