Kubota BX2230 Bar vs Turf ires
- Thread starter Marge
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Compact1
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- 2006 New Holland TC33DA with SS, R4 loaded tires, 2 rear remotes, arms rests, & rear light
Marge,
What a lucky husband...my wife never went tractor shopping for me!
You will probably receive several opinions on the tire subject (which has been debated on previous posts). To help, you might want to complete your profile so people can see what part of the country you live in, climate, soil conditions, etc.
When you say "bar" tires, are you talking about traditional bar tires or do you really mean "industrial" tires? Big difference between the two.
Also, will the machine be used primarily for cutting the grass or working in the woods?
What a lucky husband...my wife never went tractor shopping for me!
You will probably receive several opinions on the tire subject (which has been debated on previous posts). To help, you might want to complete your profile so people can see what part of the country you live in, climate, soil conditions, etc.
When you say "bar" tires, are you talking about traditional bar tires or do you really mean "industrial" tires? Big difference between the two.
Also, will the machine be used primarily for cutting the grass or working in the woods?
Jeff,
He will use the tractor for lawn mowing but will spend a fair amount of time in the woods as well. I do not mean industrial tires. Kubota says the Bar tires have been improved and do not destroy the lawn. Can you direct me to the previous posts regarding the bar vs turf tires ? Thanks!
He will use the tractor for lawn mowing but will spend a fair amount of time in the woods as well. I do not mean industrial tires. Kubota says the Bar tires have been improved and do not destroy the lawn. Can you direct me to the previous posts regarding the bar vs turf tires ? Thanks!
This is a lot like asking "which is better, ford or chevy?"
My two cents, and I have turfs, is if you are going to be working a LOT in dirt with the FEL or ground engaging equipment, ags (or bar) would be better. They will self clean and provide more UMPH.
If you have turfs and get in mud, they will fill up and you'll have slicks, which won't work at all well. I've not had to work in mud, and my turfs seem to hug the ground well when I pull the box blade. When the going is tough, I'm in 4WD and often will scoop up a load of soil in the FEL to add weight to the front.
If you go into the woods, you'll need to get a skid plate. A lot of sensitive stuff is underneath and exposed to danger.
You can buy a skid plate (do a search here on the term BX skid plate) or make one.
Best wishes,
ron
My two cents, and I have turfs, is if you are going to be working a LOT in dirt with the FEL or ground engaging equipment, ags (or bar) would be better. They will self clean and provide more UMPH.
If you have turfs and get in mud, they will fill up and you'll have slicks, which won't work at all well. I've not had to work in mud, and my turfs seem to hug the ground well when I pull the box blade. When the going is tough, I'm in 4WD and often will scoop up a load of soil in the FEL to add weight to the front.
If you go into the woods, you'll need to get a skid plate. A lot of sensitive stuff is underneath and exposed to danger.
You can buy a skid plate (do a search here on the term BX skid plate) or make one.
Best wishes,
ron
Not a problem!
I think you can buy through whole good (not parts) a separate set of tires/wheels for about $300, so the overall decision won't hang in the balance.
And the skid plate can be added anytime.
Go for it and have fun!
ron
I think you can buy through whole good (not parts) a separate set of tires/wheels for about $300, so the overall decision won't hang in the balance.
And the skid plate can be added anytime.
Go for it and have fun!
ron
Ron,
Again, many thanks for the information! I will file the tire information to review as I proceed with this project. I have a few weeks to get up to speed. Do you have any suggestions regarding purchasing the FEL if I find the tractor with the mower only? Looks like a steep learning curve.
Marge
Again, many thanks for the information! I will file the tire information to review as I proceed with this project. I have a few weeks to get up to speed. Do you have any suggestions regarding purchasing the FEL if I find the tractor with the mower only? Looks like a steep learning curve.
Marge
I can't visualize anyone selling their FEL separate from the tractor. Either a dealer or individual would likely keep them as a package.
I think any Bota dealer can order you an FEL. Should be an easy install, or the dealer likely would install it to be sure it is done properly.
There are some online dealers, so you could contact them for a price check.
Ron
I think any Bota dealer can order you an FEL. Should be an easy install, or the dealer likely would install it to be sure it is done properly.
There are some online dealers, so you could contact them for a price check.
Ron
Compact1
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- Mar 24, 2005
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- Southwest Michigan
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- 2006 New Holland TC33DA with SS, R4 loaded tires, 2 rear remotes, arms rests, & rear light
RalphVa
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I see that a previous poster gave you a link to discussion on bar vs. turf. There have been many on TBN. The Search function works pretty well for finding stuff like this.
I started off tractor life with a Gravely. Had turfs on it and later bought a set of wheels and Ag (bar) tires for it. Also had a set of chains. Some of my experience:
o Both chains (on turfs) and Ag tires tend to give a LITTLE bit more "bite", particularly on bare dirt, before they slip. BUT, when they slip, they dig. This bounced the Gravely horribly and probably won't be too comfortable on a BX.
o Turfs work fine on grassy or leafy forest areas, and in dry have virtually as much grip as chains or Ag tires. They don't bounce or tear up the ground so much when they slip. On mud, they'd slip quite easily. Ag tires are probably the best on really muddy stuff. Turfs also work fine on snow when it's very cold. Near freezing or on ice, you need chains or to put screws into the outer part of the lugs of Ag treads. Chains are awful to put on, and you need to secure any loose ends.
That BX will lose traction awful easy on uneven ground. I noticed this when trying one out on small slopes at a dealer's location. A FEL will give you some extra "go" power if you get to a point where a wheel is in the air due to uneven ground. You can lower the FEL with point down and use its curl motions to get the tractor off high center. I frequently got my Gravely stuck on high points and had to wrestle it off using arm strength or the turning brakes to stop the free wheel. You don't have these options on a BX. About the only option, without an FEL, is to apply the brakes and hope that they will lock the spinning wheel and cause the other to grab. 'twould be better if they had turning brakes or a locking differential option. Don't think the BX has either.
Ralph
I started off tractor life with a Gravely. Had turfs on it and later bought a set of wheels and Ag (bar) tires for it. Also had a set of chains. Some of my experience:
o Both chains (on turfs) and Ag tires tend to give a LITTLE bit more "bite", particularly on bare dirt, before they slip. BUT, when they slip, they dig. This bounced the Gravely horribly and probably won't be too comfortable on a BX.
o Turfs work fine on grassy or leafy forest areas, and in dry have virtually as much grip as chains or Ag tires. They don't bounce or tear up the ground so much when they slip. On mud, they'd slip quite easily. Ag tires are probably the best on really muddy stuff. Turfs also work fine on snow when it's very cold. Near freezing or on ice, you need chains or to put screws into the outer part of the lugs of Ag treads. Chains are awful to put on, and you need to secure any loose ends.
That BX will lose traction awful easy on uneven ground. I noticed this when trying one out on small slopes at a dealer's location. A FEL will give you some extra "go" power if you get to a point where a wheel is in the air due to uneven ground. You can lower the FEL with point down and use its curl motions to get the tractor off high center. I frequently got my Gravely stuck on high points and had to wrestle it off using arm strength or the turning brakes to stop the free wheel. You don't have these options on a BX. About the only option, without an FEL, is to apply the brakes and hope that they will lock the spinning wheel and cause the other to grab. 'twould be better if they had turning brakes or a locking differential option. Don't think the BX has either.
Ralph
