Hello again, I'm looking for experiences with the B series tractor from folks that have R4's but changed to turf tires. I seem to damage the lawn somewhat when it's a bit wet in the spring with the R4's that came on my
B2620. If you have experience with both on a similar machine can you please let me know if it's worth the $800-$900 to have a set of turf tires to mow with?
Depends on how fussy you are with your lawn! I personally would not spend that money for just my lawn.
I have a
B7800 with r-4's. I have a
B3200 with turf tires. Both tractors weigh similar, both sets of tires loaded 75%. Both set of tires are very similar in many catagories of traction, ground damage, etc.
I bought the
B3200 with turfs because I use it in a mowing business (lawns and bush hogging) so I am on many other peoples lawns and they are fussy when they have to pay for mowing service, however I probably could have gotten away with the r-4's if it came right down to it as I am also on lawns with my
B7800 with r-4's and that doesn't tear up much either.
One noticeable difference would be if your lawn had shallow roots/thin canopy and was wet and you spun the tires, then the r-4 gaps would tear more then the titan turfs. but if you are careful about not spinning and take wide turns or 3 point turns, you be ok with the r-4's. If it is not wet , under normal conditions, there is hardly a difference.
I also take it the other way with traction being more important then ground damage, as I use both tractors in the woods in a firewood business. Other then mud, there is not much difference. Of course the r-4's are better then the turfs in the mud.
In the snow, the turfs will get a little better traction over the r-4's with and without tire chains and if you use the plain "ladder" chains, the turfs will get better traction then the r-4's due to the chains falling in the gaps of the r-4's. The turfs will allow much more of the chain to meet/contact the snow/ice/ground.
Other noticeable differences I have experienced are, the turfs will slide/spin in mud more. Also, when bush hogging at night in dew or when wet, the turfs will spin a little sooner and when going downhill, "come out from under you" (slide) sooner then the r-4's. the Kubota B series are one of the lighter tractors per hp and don't put a lot of ground force traction through weight, so that is why I feel there is not much of a difference between the r-4's and the turfs.