NS4710C HST ride comfort

[txbonds]

Anyone with a NS4710C HST (or similar) made any changes to improve the ride? Mine is beating the fool out of me on bumps on our tree farm. We have roots and small dips and contour changes everywhere so there is no real way to avoid them. I’ve made all the adjustment I can on the factory suspension seat and it helps but not enough. I have R4 tires which I think are firmer than the R1 tires that could have come on it. Anyway made a changes like a better seat or switching tires to help? Thanks.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

What are your tire pressures?

 

[rScotty]

When we got these tractors almost 20 years ago the way the dealer had them set up bounced too much for my old back. Maybe some of the things I did will work for you.

TIRE PRESSURE: First is reducing the crazy high tire pressures. Our Kubota is twice the weight of of your Kioti, and running lower pressure has worked fine for years. Running lower tire pressure will make a big difference in comfort, but will slightly shorten the tire life.

Our Kubota has the original R4 Industrial tires - Titan brand, on Titan wheels. Both tire and wheel are made in the USA - which surprised me.. Specs on the tires say they are "comparable" to 8 ply tires. Fronts are 10x16.5 and Rears are 17.5 x 24. Tractor data says yours are 10x16.5 & 14.9x24 . so we have similar tires.
I run 22 psi in the fronts and in the rears. What are you running?

FRONT AXLE: : The front axle center pivot slop or clearance is adjustable on our Kubota. It might be on your tractor too. It makes a big difference if I tighten it up every year or three. The adjustment is done via a tapered pivot bolt into a bronze bushing. The axle slop is is set by raising the front end off the ground with the loader, tightening the pivot bolt into the bushing until there is just a little slop, and then tightening down a lock nut.

SEATS: Absolutely nothing beats an aftermarket Grammerr 12 volt compresser type air cushion seat. It is what all the truckers and tractor operators prefer. Universal fit seat mounts with the standard 4 bolt seat mount to the floor pan. Grammer makes one to fit everything. Yes, I have one on the big backhoe...but not on the Kubota - although someday I will. They are costly and worth it. People here on TBN even put them on riding mowers and zero turns. I'm talking about a thousand dollar seat with an air cylinder and 12 volt compressor.
Be aware that Grammer also makes spring suspended seats, but they are only a little better than the stock tractor seat.

About the stock tractor seat... there are a couple of things you can do to help it. Our Kubota still has that horrible seat with a few mods: First, Look under the seat and see how many springs it has. If it has only two springs, sometimes there are pre-drilled holes where you can add a third spring or even more. That allows you to soften the adjustment and still have the same amount of springiness. While there, Lube the tension adjuster and get it set right for your weight. And add a cushion seatcover.

Next thing I did on our Kubota seat was to buy some one inch high vibration dampening rubber mounts. They made a lot of difference for little money. Put them between the standard 4 bolt seat mount and the tractor floor pan.
McMaster-Carr
luck,
rScotty

 

[txbonds]

Sorry for the delay in following up. After asking the question, I ended up negotiating with my dealer on a larger tractor. It took a bit of figuring but I think this will help greatly with the property size and terrain. The NS4710 was a great tractor but I think i just bought too small for my specific needs. The shorter wheelbase and smaller front tires were just taking a beating on our place and I have been giving it a pretty good workout for the 115 hours that were on it.

Anyway, I traded it for an RX7320PC with R1 tires. I had the 3rd function and extra two rear ports added, along with a rear wiper (learned the importance of that on the NS as it was always dusty). Should get it later this week if all goes to plan.

Also, I traded/sold our 2013 Deere 310K backhoe with 2558 hours on it and picked up a 2021 Kubota KX71-3 excavator with 625 hours to take its place. We did a bunch of heavy work over the last few years with the backhoe but now my needs are centered around a smaller unit that can access places the backhoe couldn’t, both due to size and weight reasons, like pond dams/edges, wet areas, etc.

I appreciate the feedback and will advise if the larger RX7320 resolves some of my issues. If not, I’ll go through the items pointed out above as well. Thanks again.

 

[rScotty]

Sounds reasonable. All that sounds reasonable. But it doesn't solve the seat problem. I'm curious if you are going to put a Grammer air compressor seat on the new tractor - or try something else.

 

[txbonds]

Sounds reasonable. All that sounds reasonable. But it doesn't solve the seat problem. Are you going to put a Grammer air compressor seat on the new tractor?

I’m not sure. The RX7320 comes with a Grammer seat in it. I think its a nicer seat than the one that was in the NS4710. Not sure who made the one in the NS4710, but the one in the RX7320 actually says Grammer on the front. I’m going to give it a try before I make any changes.

 

[txbonds]

Reporting back on this.

The RX7320 is a beast compared to the NS4710. As mentioned, the NS was a great tractor but I just think it was undersized for what I was asking of it. Power wise, it was probably fine, but physical size was too small. right off the bat, the ride in the RX7320 with R1 Ag tires is much better. It still takes bumps and bounces as would any tractor going over uneven ground and tree roots, but it does them in a smoother way. The NS would impact these roots/holes in such a way that it was a very hard hit followed by the loader bouncing up and slamming down. It would simply wear me out after a few hours of it. In 8 hours of use, the RX loader has not done that. The tire size and tread are proving to be able to roll over most roots/holes without major hits.

Its taking me a little time to get used to the switch from hydrostatic drive to syncro shuttle and its showing me that I need to replace a few dirt work implements due to the wider tire track. Otherwise, this thing is great and I wish I'd have gone this direction from the start. I transferred over some of my items like chain hooks on my bucket, but can't find a place to mount my ITC toolbox and chain box yet. I installed a 511 grill guard and a radio, and have a set of hydraulic top/tilt links on order from FitRite. Lastly, I need to get all of my Rigid LED lights mounted back on it.

Hope the RX7320 serves me for a very long time.

 

[IndyIan]

Yep, bigger softer Ag tires with lower pressure helps. And a longer wheelbase too. Wheel weights are good too for keeping the rear tires compliant without effecting ride quality, if you are using the loader for gravel or on slopes.

 

[rScotty]

Reporting back on this.

The RX7320 is a beast compared to the NS4710. As mentioned, the NS was a great tractor but I just think it was undersized for what I was asking of it. Power wise, it was probably fine, but physical size was too small. right off the bat, the ride in the RX7320 with R1 Ag tires is much better. It still takes bumps and bounces as would any tractor going over uneven ground and tree roots, but it does them in a smoother way. The NS would impact these roots/holes in such a way that it was a very hard hit followed by the loader bouncing up and slamming down. It would simply wear me out after a few hours of it. In 8 hours of use, the RX loader has not done that. The tire size and tread are proving to be able to roll over most roots/holes without major hits.

Its taking me a little time to get used to the switch from hydrostatic drive to syncro shuttle and its showing me that I need to replace a few dirt work implements due to the wider tire track. Otherwise, this thing is great and I wish I'd have gone this direction from the start. I transferred over some of my items like chain hooks on my bucket, but can't find a place to mount my ITC toolbox and chain box yet. I installed a 511 grill guard and a radio, and have a set of hydraulic top/tilt links on order from FitRite. Lastly, I need to get all of my Rigid LED lights mounted back on it.

Hope the RX7320 serves me for a very long time.

I hope s too... and it should. Congrats on the larger machine. I

t took us way too long and too many tractors before we finally figured out that the larger tractors didn't have to work themselves or the operator nearly so hard doing the same work.

I used to get off of our "little" compact 33 hp tractor feeling like it was wonderful machine...but also feeling that I'd done almost as much work as the tractor did. The solution was to double the HP, triple the weight, and go to a clutchless shift. As a bonus, the engine is quieter working at lower RP.

rScotty

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If you don't have the tires filled, fill them. The ride will be even better yet. I have all four tires filled on both my 5000lb and 12,000lb machines. Makes a HUGE difference in the ride besides adding traction and stability.

 

[txbonds]

If you don't have the tires filled, fill them. The ride will be even better yet. I have all four tires filled on both my 5000lb and 12,000lb machines. Makes a HUGE difference in the ride besides adding traction and stability.

Thanks, I may do that.

The biggest thing that will make it better though will be getting your top/tilt kit. Hurry Please............. LOL

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks, I may do that.

The biggest thing that will make it better though will be getting your top/tilt kit. Hurry Please............. LOL

I don't see that adding 30lbs to the 3pt is going to make the tractor ride any better.

With some luck, I'll be able to get to your order before Veterans day.

 

[IndyIan]

If you don't have the tires filled, fill them. The ride will be even better yet. I have all four tires filled on both my 5000lb and 12,000lb machines. Makes a HUGE difference in the ride besides adding traction and stability.

Really? I've always thought loading tires made them less "springy" as basically 2/3 or more of the air is gone so the spring rate of the tire goes up much faster?
You got me thinking though, I guess that means you can run lower air pressure with loaded tires without folding off the rims?
I have my R1 rears loaded and fairly low air pressure and they feel quite dead, not much bouncing but also I know it when they find a hole too, and having 1100lb on the 3pt doesn't really change the ride.
My R1 fronts aren't loaded and I have to run them with lots of air pressure, 30 psi, to keep them from rolling off the rim if I have a round bale on the front and nothing on the 3pt. They do ride nice with a bale on the 3pt and a bale on the loader, but can get a bit of bounce going.
I got my tractor with the rears loaded so I don't know what that is like, I guess a bit more bouncy but would ride a bit smoother with the box blade or bale on the 3pt.
I've read here that a field tractor works best with unloaded tires, but wheel weights added?

 

[txbonds]

I don't see that adding 30lbs to the 3pt is going to make the tractor ride any better.

With some luck, I'll be able to get to your order before Veterans day.

Awesome. Thanks.

The ride may not be better, but my bones will feel better about not having to climb on and off the tractor as much to hitch up. Nothing like a quick hitch and the top/tilt links once you get the implements dialed in for it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Think of the fluid in the tire as a shock absorber. With just air, you have a beach ball.
I ran my 75hp tractor for 1 year with no added ballast, while it was ok at 9500lbs, I knew that it was not enough for what I needed to do. I started adding weight (wheel weights, then liquid ballast, then more wheel weights) until I got to where I was able to get all I could get from the machine. The ride performance was an unknown benefit, but most definitely there. Yes fluid in your front tires will most definitely help your situation IMO.

 

[rScotty]

Really? I've always thought loading tires made them less "springy" as basically 2/3 or more of the air is gone so the spring rate of the tire goes up much faster?
You got me thinking though, I guess that means you can run lower air pressure with loaded tires without folding off the rims?
I have my R1 rears loaded and fairly low air pressure and they feel quite dead, not much bouncing but also I know it when they find a hole too, and having 1100lb on the 3pt doesn't really change the ride.
My R1 fronts aren't loaded and I have to run them with lots of air pressure, 30 psi, to keep them from rolling off the rim if I have a round bale on the front and nothing on the 3pt. They do ride nice with a bale on the 3pt and a bale on the loader, but can get a bit of bounce going.
I got my tractor with the rears loaded so I don't know what that is like, I guess a bit more bouncy but would ride a bit smoother with the box blade or bale on the 3pt.

I wish there was some easy way to test unloaded vs filled tires. Some of the reported advanages is bound to be owner perception... but how much? And how much is due to the type of tires and the type of surface they are used on? A tire filled with fluid can't be as springy as one filled with air can it? I can see where it would bounce less. What a pain with a leak or a flat, though....

Our mountain land is hard, mostly "DG" disintigrated granite. There isn't much of what most people think of as dirt. A lot of work is on slopes. Ag tires are worse than useless because they slide and there is no clay or loam sub-base for Ag cleats to grip. There are a lots of rocks, creeks, and ledges to climb over and work around.

Popular tires in the rocky mountains are industrial or turf types for the way they add grip and stability. It's important that a tire flex a lot. Most people run low pressures to help with that. On an 8500 lb tractor I ru 20 psi rear and 30 front.

I've never used loaded tires and don't know of anyone who does. We did try wheel weights on one tractor, but didn't come to any conclusions. It didn't seem to make much difference in the way the tractor handled.
rScotty

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, in 24 years of having filled R4 tires in one machine or another, we have never had a flat where we had to deal with the tires being filled. In fact the only flats we have even had were on the Case 580E backhoe, and that was on the front tire after new tires were installed.

All I can say is that with you not having operated a machine that has had both, you really can't make any (real) judgment calls. Both of my utility tractors were day and night difference in ride and in added machine capabilities by having the tires filled.

The tires still flex just as much as they would with the same amount of air. The fluid is just a dampener that absorbs shock instead of transferring it to the tractor axles.

Oh, and our property is both DG and topsoil depending on where on the property you are.

But enough of all this, on to the next item at hand.