Traction Traction Advice for new 3720

jcmseven · Apr 5, 2005

Fellow Posters,

I have been working my new 3720 hard this week, doing a lot of box blade work, etc. This new machine impresses me greatly with its power and generally mean attitude. My tractor also has the 300 cx loader, which does really well. Due to the loader and the extra power over my old 4310, I requested the tires on the back of the tractor be loaded. I run the r4 industrial tires. I thought about the r1 tires for added traction, but I am planning to mow with the machine, and I felt with the soft ground upon which I occasionally tread, the r1 tires may damage turf. I also prefer the appearance of the r4 tires to the r1 tires. My question revolves around further traction aids for my tractor. Thus far I have not had problems with the grading work and such, but I feel the tractor could tolerate more weight given its power, especially if I am doing heavy box blade or grading work. My desire is to maximize drawbar pull for this machine. I have looked briefly at wheel weights, but I do not wish to scuff and rust my wheels if at all possible. I am also not sure how much weight they really add or whether it would help. I did not know if anyone in the forum had experience with them, or suggestions. I also could leave things as they are, or re-consider the r1 tires, but I would like not to make an error. So far, this tractor has been excellent.

John M.

KennedyDiesel · Apr 6, 2005

How much air pressure are you running?

I have 40 gallons of rim gurad per tire at 10.7# per galllon and it still could use some more grip. I dropped pressure to 18 and plan to go to 16 next.

I think wheel weight is about all you can do when using rear implements.

Jrrcorp · Apr 10, 2005

I got a JD 4410 with R4 tires. My Kubota had Ag tires and I think they had a lot more bite the these. I thought the same as you that they would not tear up the grass as much...but they do. Today we took down a huge tree and we were moving the branches into the woods. In two wheel drive we just sat there and spun the wheels. Even in 4 wheel drive it slid around a little. I now think that if you really want traction you have to go with the ag tires and turf tires for lawn mowing. But who's gonna change wheels everytime you change cores? not me!

Kyle_in_Tex · Apr 11, 2005

Unfortunately, R1's give far better traction on dirt in most situations.

Here's a simple physics trick you can use since you have MFWD (except in muddy conditions). Fill your loader as full as you can and turn on your MFWD. This gives your front tires some major weight to let them help dig in and its easily added and removed. You'll be surprised at how much extra pull they'll give you in dry conditions.