Rimguard mowing

[josolar]

I am unsure if I want to order a new B2620 with rimguard or not. I will have turf tires and a loader. I plan on using the tractor for weekly mowing of the flat lawn, and will use the loader for moving: snow, gravel, dirt, and manure.

How does rimguard perform for mowing? Increased ruts in the lawn? Am I better to leave the tires unfilled and get a rear ballast weight?

Thanks.

 

[kcender]

I just purchased a B2620 about 6weeks ago for about the same uses as yours.I didn't want the tires loaded as I feel the tractor is already plenty heavy for mowing.I got a ballast box which seems to work well with the FEL.It isn't a big deal to me to put it on and off,I made a dolly for it which makes it very easy.

 

[RaydaKub]

I've only got a BX, but I think the question is more about what you have for hills. If you're a flat-lander, do the box and enjoy the lighter mower. But if you have any hills, load the tires. The stability is well worth the flattened grass for me.

 

[KennyV]

Your tires will not hold enough rimguard weight to offset the loader, so you will need something else most of the time when doing loader work...
Plus you do not Need any additional weight when mowing. So use a ballast box for loader work & leave things as light as possible when mowing....

 

[tractchores]

I have a b2920 with turfs that are loaded. I personally would want to have the tires loaded, any FEl work requires them and you'll want them for traction for snow work. The weight without the loader isn't too bad on the lawn, I drive on mine all the time, but don't mow with it. A rear ballast is ok, but limits your uses, for example you may want the fel and a back blade for plowing or dirt work or a carry-all or some other light implement mounted. Stability is also greatly increased with loaded tires and I think a must for slope work

 

[oosik]

I have a larger tractor but with rimguard in the tires it gives much increased stability and traction. I also always have a rear implement(back blade, grading scraper etc) on the three point hitch. The rimguard will add 1480lbs and the rear implement adds around 600-1000lbs. This gives stability for any side hill work and use of the FEL. Its great in the winter for plowing snow and it the summer it gives weight for added traction when I use a rear mounted implement.
I consider rimguard a definite safety bonus. I stay off my lawn as much as possible for obvious reasons.

 

[josolar]

My lawn, driveway, and paddock area are all flat, so I plan to just use a ballast box with no rim guard. The ballast box can then be removed while mowing for less impact on the lawn. Thanks guys.

 

[Dusty]

I have a BX that came with the rear tires loaded, but don't recall what they used. It is environmentally friendly, and that is all that I remember. This past winter, one of the rubber valve stems started to show leakage. When I examined it closely, I found that the center metal part that the valve stem is screwed into had separated from the rubber. Don't know if this is because of the product in the tires, but it was a job to break the bead and replace the valve stem, without loosing the liquid in the tire. If you are going to have your tires loaded, then ask the dealer to install metal valve stems, so you don't have to deal with broken rubber stems. Upon checking the summer tires, I found that they also had deteriorated, and I installed metal valve stems in all the rear tires.

 

[AStanton]

If you are running a loader, I would opt to load the tires. I have the tires loaded on my B3030 and never worry about using balast with the loader. If available, and money isn't an issue, I would opt to foam the tires rather than use Rimguard. You'll never need to check air pressure or worry about running over a nail with foam. I'll show you a pic of what my loaded-turf tires did on my lawn during the spring thaw. I made several trips over the lawn while stacking firewood. It was no big deal; the lawn came back as good as new.

 

[DB Pilot]

I have a 2001 BX2200. I use it for everything but mostly mowing with 60" MMM. I bought it with tractor, agricultural, R1 (whatever you want to call them) tread tires. Over a 10 year period the Calcium chloride rotted the rims. So no more of that stuff in any of my tractors. I have rimguard in the tires now and it is a great ballast especially in winter clearing an icy driveway. I can't remember how much weight is in the tires. If I was starting out with a new tractor now though I have been thinking of wheel weights as the best idea for smaller tractors and never take them off.
As to the look of my yard with tractor tread tires I have been mowing this yard for 12 years 99% of the time in only one direction on clay which can get real soggy. There are no marks in the yard. in fact I think the tractor tread is better for grass aeration. For sure there are no spin marks from turf tires on the hills. I don't get stuck as much and it climbs hills great plus if I am running sideways on a hill the front tread holds better. So for safety, nice yard and less headaches getting stuck I like tractor tread. :2cents: Forget those tire chains in the winter on my asphalt driveway. :thumbsup:

 

[tractchores]

If you are running a loader, I would opt to load the tires. I have the tires loaded on my B3030 and never worry about using balast with the loader. If available, and money isn't an issue, I would opt to foam the tires rather than use Rimguard. You'll never need to check air pressure or worry about running over a nail with foam. I'll show you a pic of what my loaded-turf tires did on my lawn during the spring thaw. I made several trips over the lawn while stacking firewood. It was no big deal; the lawn came back as good as new.

How much was the cost to foam the tires? Been considering doing mine as I have a ton of thorns and am always worried about a flat.

 

[AStanton]

I unfortunately loaded my tires with Rimguard. If I had to do it again, I would foam em. I forget the price I was quoted for the foam. If I remember correctly, about $350 per tire. This included the labor for removal and mounting.

 

[tractchores]

thanks