Multiple sets of tires

[Ryansweatt2004]

Hey everyone. I've had my kubota l3901 for about 7 months now. I bought it brand new with R1 ag tires specifically for the purpose of having the added traction when skidding logs through muddy trails in the woods and for the added traction when dragging a box blade. However I'm finding I could really use a set of turf tires as well for working and traveling around my house where the lawn gets torn up most of the year with my r1 tires. Just wanting to see if anyone else out there has thought about or actually bought multiple sets of tractor tires to swap out for different seasons or uses?

 

[kevin37b]

I f the budget will stand it , why not ? If you are mowing with it a designated mower may be the same money .

 

[oldnslo]

Do you need both front and rear or just the front? I suspect the fronts do the most damage from turning.

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

Yea the front R1 tires definitely do the most damage. I don't use it for mowing because I have a dedicated mower for the lawn. My main use for the tractor up till recent has been snow removal, road grading and tree work/getting firewood out of the woods which the R1 tires have been excellent at doing. Now though I'm doing a fair bit more work up close to my house and neighbors houses where things like rocks, firewood or any other heavy objects need to be moved without tearing up the lawn. Budget wise it's a little expensive to buy a set of turf tires unless I find a decent used set on Craigslist. Mainly just looking for feedback on if anyone else keeps more than one set of tires for different times of the year or different types of jobs and if it's a big pain to change tires as the needs change.

 

[oldnslo]

I can't comment on two sets of tires but I have kicked around the thought of turfs on the front of my 2400H since it is used for mowing. I am concerned about finding tires the correct diameter so that when I use the FWD they don't fight the rear to much. Also do turf tires have the sidewall strength for loader work? I have no desire to install turfs on the rear though.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Changing tires is a pain, especially when they are filled. Most guys pick their tires by what will work best for the majority of their uses and accept the draw backs for the other occasions. I know there are some folks with the little sub-compacts that have multiple sets but tires that size are much easier to handle. Having a backhoe mounted is really handy for lifting the rear with the stabalizers.

I'm sure that someone is going to come along and suggest R4 as a mid way between turfs and ags, the "best of both worlds" type of deal. More accurately, they are the worst of both worlds. Traction not much better than turfs in the mud, still tear up sod like R1s and just plain suck in the snow. Where they do shine is in their puncture resistance.

 

[whis]

turn your tires around and they won't tear the yard up as bad

 

[2458n]

Turning the tires around (without changing the rims) will ruin the front axle on a four wheel drive. My L245DT had the warning in the operators manual. I switched and they were right. Offset was bigger with the tires on the rim as shipped.

 

[whis]

how will it ruin front axle, no different than widening the stance of the tractor

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

how will it ruin front axle, no different than widening the stance of the tractor

That's a good question. How would tread direction have anything to do with how the 4wd works?

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

Tread direction has no effect on axle wear. Flipping the rims side to side tiff set the wheels would have an effect on the wear and tear of the front axle. That said I think flipping the tread pattern backwards looks ridiculous but that's just me.

 

[whis]

yes it will look kind of goofy but it won't tear up the yard and a whole lot cheaper than new wheels and tires as far as the axle wear its no different than having adjustable rims set to the widest position

 

[TMGT]

I bought my b2620 with r4 since I was using it in the woods mainly and wanted the toughest tires I could get.
Last year I found a set of turfs on CL for a great price after looking for a while.
Best thing I ever did, turf damage is minimal, both sets of rear tires are filled and switching them out isn't bad.
I've been doing a lot of landscape work the last couple years and now I don't feel afraid to take the tractor out on people's lawns.

Call your kubota salesman and get a price on turfs through the wholegoods catalogue. I believe a full set of wheels and tires was about 1300 a couple years ago.

 

[Will_C]

My brother has a L3540 and bought 2 sets of tires and wheels when he got the tractor. For a rather small investment in money and work, it is like having 2 tractors in one.

Will

 

[redman135]

As an alternative, use worn ag tyres on the front, when on the lawn or delicate areas. I drive for an ag contractor doing baled silage. Stacking 1 ton bales , worn (1/2" or less) front tyres do very little damage to the grass so should work for you.

 

[clemsonfor]

how will it ruin front axle, no different than widening the stance of the tractor

And having rims turned around so they dish out more if the offset was on the inside is harder on the bearings and axle and untimely the gears of the front knuckles on 4wd

 

[clemsonfor]

Tread direction has no effect on axle wear. Flipping the rims side to side tiff set the wheels would have an effect on the wear and tear of the front axle. That said I think flipping the tread pattern backwards looks ridiculous but that's just me.

you can do it like that as well and now dish themout

 

[clemsonfor]

my rear rice tires will tear up a yard just mowing.