Tire Selection Tires vrs chains in mud

   / Tires vrs chains in mud #1  

Glennz

New member
Joined
Feb 9, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Michigan
Tractor
Kubota b2320
Help and opinion please. I have a Kubota B2300 series with Turf tires, works great on lawn and snow plowing. Needs have changed and I am doing more work in woods on slippery and muddy conditions. Would I be better to change tires, to what,or get tire chains?
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #2  
Help and opinion please. I have a Kubota B2300 series with Turf tires, works great on lawn and snow plowing. Needs have changed and I am doing more work in woods on slippery and muddy conditions. Would I be better to change tires, to what,or get tire chains?

Chains would be my choice. You would still have the lawn and snow removal covered.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #3  
It's been my experience - chains provide superior traction. I had R-1's on my first tractor( Ford 1700 4WD ). In severe driveway icy conditions I had to put on V-bar ladder chains to get adequate traction. There was insufficient "tractor weight" to get adequate traction from the R-1's. I now have a Kubota M6040 4WD that weighs - 10,100#. I no longer need chains. The Kubota has R-1's also.

Given half a chance - chains can tear the crap out of your lawn. For that matter, so will R-1's.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #4  
It's been my experience - chains provide superior traction. I had R-1's on my first tractor( Ford 1700 4WD ). In severe driveway icy conditions I had to put on V-bar ladder chains to get adequate traction. There was insufficient "tractor weight" to get adequate traction from the R-1's. I now have a Kubota M6040 4WD that weighs - 10,100#. I no longer need chains. The Kubota has R-1's also.

Given half a chance - chains can tear the crap out of your lawn. For that matter, so will R-1's.

One would hope the chains are removed for lawn mowing.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #5  
I mow with a riding mower. However - there are times when I must cross my lawns to get to other portions of my property with my tractor. I definitely try to limit this to late summer when lawns are dry and hard.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #6  
Chains without a doubt,
also just driving across a lawn in 2wd chains do not do that much damage.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks for the input. Would you put chains on all four or just rears?
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #8  
Just understand that chains are very hard on tree roots. If you are driving near any trees you like you could cause damage. They also love to retain the mud until you can speed up. If not careful that could happen on your lawn leaving large clumps or where you park your tractor (the mud dries out while it's parked). Finally chains will dig very quickly if you spin your tires. You could get yourself stuck before you realize it. But chains are probably the most economical way. I have never seen a log skidder around here without them. I would do the rears first and see how it goes since it sounds like you are doing it now without them. Usually in the woods where it's slick I'm using the brakes to steer anyway.
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #9  
If you can swing another set get loaded R1s. I have a set on my B as well as a set of turfs - there is a massive difference ! I also have chains for the turfs way too bouncy for me
 
   / Tires vrs chains in mud #10  
I'd chain all four tires. Instead of buying new tires I'd buy a bigger tractor with R1's for working in the woods.
 

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