Ag's vs. Turfs

[RobJ]

Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Not sure where to post this so I pick here. On my tractor I've got ags on the rear but it came with turfs. Since we really haven't had much rain in the past 8 months (about when I got my tractor) I haven't seen much in the way of mud. I put on the ags for running through the woods cutting atv trails and deer plots. After a day of soaking rain and moving the tractor around this is what I get.

This was taken around 1:00pm yesterday, no rain for about 12 hours. The ags did do some marking. I did have my Woods 5' FM on the rear. But we're on decent hill and the place usually drys pretty quick. The Suburban tire marks on the left were made on Saturday when it was still lightly raining. The other marks are from one of my atv's with ITP Mud lites on it, they tear up anything. So looking at the Suburban marks I'd say in my case the turfs would not have left much of a mark even with the FM, they are wider than the 11.2" ags. The R4's would have done better but I hear folks say they just don't bit like an ag if you are plowing or such.

so even though I like the look of the ags better, the turfs will go back on for the summer. Hopefully they will be needed(we get more rain this year).

Rob

 

[Steve_Miller]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

If you mostly mow, use turfs or R4's. If your in the woods use Ag's or R4's. As for your grass, from my knowledge and the picture you have shown and the comments about the picture, the ground is mostly torn up where there is no grass or very little, which, is to me says there are no roots to hold the ground together. If you notice (and this is just me) that where there is grass, it is not torn up near as much. You can even see the truck tire tracks which you probably never would if there were a good sod. Correct me if I'm out of line. I speak from my own experience with turf or lack there of it.

Steve

 

[SnoFalls]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

dang pictures can "lie", but I see little turf .. just some grass.

grass does not equal turf ... turf (with an established root system) is MUCH more than some grass sitting on the surface ... looks to me like you've got maybe 1" below the surface with the ags ... that's NOTHING. In fact I call that "aeration" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RobJ]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Yall are correct as to the little amount of grass, lack of rain will do that. It is (was) common bermuda, but the turf tires wouldn't leave any marks to speak of. Here is a pick in wetter times, same place pulling into the left bay, 2 years ago when I built my garage.

I think my yard died and came back 3 times last year. We only water the flowers when we are gone. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[kossetx]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Rob, I may be in a little flater area than you but I've used my turfs to pull a 5" disc and mower for years now with only a little slipage now and then, and my tractor is only 2wd. Mine came with turfs, I bought ags for it, but have never put them on because I've really had no need because the turfs have handled everything. I'm currently looking at a 2500 like yours and will need turfs for it, so if...

Just kidding. I like my turfs because they don't tear anything up. They have stood up to the mesquite thorns very well and have done some very tough duty work. I can't remember the last time I had a flat. Of course my fronts have years of added tire seal in them. They may be solid now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Recently I used them to tear some small mesquite stumps out. I can't imagine having a tractor without a set. I will eventually end up with a heavy ag tractor and a lighter compact with turfs. Just my .02. MP

 

[osprey]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

<font color="blue"> After a day of soaking rain and moving the tractor around this is what I get. </font>

Thats what they are suppose to do. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobJ]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Think I'll hang on to them since I already have made the investment. If anyone is going to ruin a turf tire it'll be me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif In the bottom we have the thorn trees. Only way I know to describe them. Very sharp thick thorns about 2" long. My turfs would find every one of them. Plus I don't baby my Kubota down there. Point it into a patch and duck. When I bought the tractor the guy said I could probably easily sell the turfs, but of course I wanted ags. Then again if it had the ags I'd want the turfs.

I think we're in the same boat, my tractor is 120 miles north in Elkhart, I'm stuck working downtown and living in spring during the week. Planning my next weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Here is the sort of stuff I mow through with a 4' BH. What I went through was the same on the left and right, no previous road. Just go slow and watch out for stumps. Lots of fun.

 

[scott_vt]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Wow Rob,
That is some mighty thick brush /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Wouldnt want to run into a bees nest in there and run the wrong way /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

 

[JustGary]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Thorn trees - Honey Locust, perhaps? Nasty, huge thorns everywhere. Thorns on thorns, even.

In the first photo, it seems you may have a fungus problem from the fairy rings I see. Do you get mushrooms after a heavy rain? We have that problem here in Florida. It could explain the poor turf growth.

As for the tire marks, you didn't say if you were in 4WD, but 2WD will mark the grass a whole lot less than 4WD.

- Just Gary

 

[RobJ]

Re: Ag\'s vs. Turfs

Yep that's the tree. It can put some serious hurt on you and a tire. My 2500 is just a 2wd. Guess I'd seen this sooner if we got rain before. Either way the turfs will go back on as soon as the grass starts growning again.

Thanks..