Trying to decide which tires for B3030 or B7800

[bandit67]

I've narrowed down my choices to a B3030 or B7800 (or possibly the new B2920 once I can check one out).

In the mean time, I have to figure out what tires to go with - Industrials or Ags.

My property is sloping, mountain terrain, with plenty of rocks, decomposed granite, tree stumps, trees, and various old fence hazards.

The tractor will be a TLB setup, will pull a landscape rake, will be used to plow snow with an FEL mounted 6' front blade, and will pull a brush hog, all over the entire property. I will utilize the FEL to it's limits, moving full loads of dirt, rock, stone, trees (new and dead), etc. (heavy stuff) around the property, thus subjecting the front tires to the stresses of turning, on hills, with a full load. And I will be moving quite a bit of snow - nice light, fluffy powder in the winter, and heavy wet stuff in late spring, both on paved and gravel drives.

I don't have to worry too much about tires destroying a manicured lawn.

I've heard a lot of arguments for and against both types of tires and their traction pros & cons, and I realize that different size tractors warrant different arguments.

I wonder if the Ags available on those small tractors can handle the loads on the front end, and all the rocks they will encounter on the property. I don't think oversized Ags are an option on those little machines, so upgrading the fronts might be difficult and/or cost prohibitive.

I could easily run chains on the Industrial tires if they would handle the terrain and loads better than the Ag tires would. Could I just run front chains on the Industrials if I used the backhoe as ballast during snow removal, or when I needed a little extra traction?

I'm all for saving money and getting Ag tires that will give me better traction, but they need to be durable enough to handle the terrain I have.

Any thoughts from owners of those 2 machines (or similar sized machines) that have either Ags or Industrials, and might use their machines on similar terrain would be appreciated.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think that the R-1's that are optional on the B7800, and B3030 are the same size as the R-4's. I like that, because I like a little flotation with my traction, and think you can have both. ( yea, I think they look better too) Flotation probably isn't much of a probblem where you are though. One thing to check is clearance for tire chains on the models you are considering. Kubota moved the fenders out some on the B3030 for the cab model, and I think tire clearance is a bit tight for chains with some tire combinations. You might want to ask around here about that, or check a tractor near you closely.

 

[lp333]

... In the mean time, I have to figure out what tires to go with - Industrials or Ags...

Industrials

 

[bandit67]

Chuck,

I don't think the Ags are the same width as the R4's on the B series - I think they are the standard narrow size. If the R1's for those 2 machines were the wider profile, then I'd go with those in a heartbeat.

I had the "bar" tires (wide flotation with ag-type treads) on my subcompact, and they were a great compromise tire. Nice and wide for flotation, but with big lugs for traction - worked great in dry dirt, clay mud, and were better than the turfs on a manicured lawn - they didn't tamp down the grass the way the turfs did.

I have quite a bit of experience with turfs on compacts, and quite a bit of experience with turfs and bars on subcompacts. I have experience with Industrials on compacts, but only in dry conditions.

I have no experience with Ags, nor Industrials in snow or wet or muddy conditions on a compact size tractor, thus my request from owners that have used either or both tire types, in similar conditions to mine, on similarly sized machines.

 

[vic4news]

I could easily run chains on the Industrial tires if they would handle the terrain and loads better than the Ag tires would. Could I just run front chains on the Industrials if I used the backhoe as ballast during snow removal, or when I needed a little extra traction?

I don't think this would be a good option. On my B3030 with R4s the back slides
terribly in the snow unless the rear tires have chains. Having the hoe mounted didn't help with the sliding.

Vic

 

[ChuckinNH]

Bandit,
Check on those tire sizes. I think that the B7800, and perhaps the B2630/B3030 are the exceptions to that rule throughout the Kubota line. The specs at the Kubota web site show 12.4-16 as being the standard tire size for both the industrial, and farm tires, and the pictures in the "B" series brochure seem to support that. The specs are less clear about the B2630, and B3030, but it would be worth checking. Hmmm, there is a difference in the front tires though.....

 

[ChuckinNH]

Strangely I am quite comfortable with the R-4 tires on the smaller B series, and on the JD 2320. They have more space between the tread, a narrower tread profile, and seem to be of a softer compound than those found on larger tires. It is the wide bars, narrow spacing, and seemingly harder rubber compounds used in the larger tires that make me a little leary of them in my situation, and perhaps yours. I would like them in my woods for puncture, and rock resistance though. It's a tough call. In snow, I would almost be more confident in choosing turfs with chains........ but I don't think they would hold up in my woods too well.

 

[Shantycoke]

I have the ag tires on my 7800, and they cause very little damage to my lawn, unless I use the brakes to turn, or the place has water laying on it. But I think the industrials would wallow up in laying water also. They do get me up out of my hollow, pull a 5"hog uphill,drag timber, and I have yet to run a thorn or stick through them. I've never used an industrial tire, so I can't say anything about them, but I do love the ags. Hope this helps.
Pat

 

[bandit67]

I don't think this would be a good option. On my B3030 with R4s the back slides terribly in the snow unless the rear tires have chains. Having the hoe mounted didn't help with the sliding.

Vic

Thanks Vic, that's exactly what I needed to know.

Chuck,

I'll do a bit more research. It would be great if the Ags were the wider versions - it would make all my worrying about which tires a moot point. I've got a few months to get the tire thing ironed out, so if you come up with anything more concrete on them pass it along, and I'll do the same. Sounds like we're both looking for the same thing.

Thanks Shanty, that is helpful. Maybe you can clear up the width question - are your Ags wider than standard skinny ags - are they closer in width to the industrials or turfs?

 

[ChuckinNH]

Bandit..
I found this much listed under the B3030HSC
TIRES AND WHEELS (priced per piece) Price with Tire Option
ORDER
CODE DESCRIPTION
APPROX.
SHIP WT.
SUGG.
LIST PRICE
B3030HSD-R
SUGG. LIST
B3030HSD-F
SUGG. LIST
BR8707**
ABR9382**
Front180/85 D12 R1 AG
Rear 12.4 - 16 R1 AG
31
95
$138.00
$321.00
$15,991.00 $16,039.00
ABR8742
ABR8744
Front 24 x 8.50 - 14 TURF Multi Trac
Rear 13.6 - 16 TURF Multi Trac
35
120
$148.00
$344.00
$16,057.00 $16,105.00
ABR8726
BR8749
Front 23 x 8.50 - 14 R4 IND.
Rear 12.4 - 16 R4 IND.
35
147
$146.00
$347.00
$16,059.00 $16,107.00