Just discovered my Kubota has skid steer front tires.

[beowulf]

I took a front tire off of my L3410 that had a very slow leak in to the shop - I was tired of adding air every week. They fixed it, and asked if it was off a 'skid steer' which at the time I thought was an odd question. He also mentioned the tires were old and had some cracking and would need to be replaced soon. So I decided to check out new tire prices and checked the manual for the tire specs and it showed an Ag tire 7.20-16 - not the tire I want. I always thought I had industrial - R4 tires - at least originally. An Internet search was not finding a match for that number, or for suitable R4 replacements. I went out and discovered that the front tires are in fact labeled Skid Steer Premium 10-16.5, and also state: 10 ply Samson, NHS, heavy duty, with rim guard. I searched my files and find that I bought these skid steer tires in 2014 at a local tire service shop that serves the ag community as well. I assume I took the old tires and rims in when I replaced them in 2014 and that they sold these to me as the same or equivalent tires.

The treads on the existing tires appear to be similar to treads on R4 - or industrial tires, which is what I want. Anyway, is there any issue with replacing my tires now with tires designated skid steer, or should I request a non-skid steer R4 tire. I don't know a lot about tires - but I am thinking this is probably a non-issue. But, still, curious.

 

[RickB]

10-16.5 R4 is a common skid loader tire size. They make a great choice for the front of a tractor when that size is specified.

 

[beowulf]

10-16.5 R4 is a common skid loader tire size. They make a great choice for the front of a tractor when that size is specified.

Rick - thanks for responding. The Kubota manual only gives a spec for an Ag tire. However, the 10-16.5, 10 ply tire is what the tire company put on when I took the tires and rims in in 2014 to be replaced - I am sure it was an R4 tire they replaced. There is no R4 designation on the tires, but they look like R4 tread. So, it looks like I am good to go to replace these with the same tires. They have served me well since 2014 - and I may wait a bit longer.

 

[RickB]

What size and style are your rears?

 

[beowulf]

What size and style are your rears?

Rear tires: R 4, 420/70-24, 6 ply rated, 'all traction utility', Firestone. Tread appears almost identical to front tires - very slight difference. Thanks again for responding.

 

[beowulf]

I just checked with my favorite local guy here in the hills and he can get them - about $150 per tire plus tax, no charge to mount - $4 per valve stem if needed. In 2014 I paid - at a shop in town - $149 per tire plus $12 per tire for mounting, so this seems like a decent price - and only 6 miles from here. A bit cheaper on-line but not mounted and less convenient.

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn’t bother changing tractor tires just because they’re a little dry rotted.

 

[jeff9366]

My L3560, delivered in January 2013, has factory supplied 10-ply R4/industrial Skid Steer front tires.

I believe 10-ply R4 front tires are part of the 'Grand L' package.

 

[beowulf]

I wouldn’t bother changing tractor tires just because they’re a little dry rotted.

I think you are right. No reason to rush to replace them. The tractor is only used on our property and seem serviceable right now. I have had to have them fixed a few times - leaks - some from bead (I think) and others from holes they found. If that continues to be an issue I may replace them then, and they are cracking a bit, but for now I will keep on using them.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

The skid steer tires are an upgrade.