Chains Turfs + chains = Bar tires in mud???

53gravely · Nov 6, 2004

I'm about to buy a kubota 7610 (FEL & MMM and eventually a brush hog)for my place in VT. I'll admit it's basically going to be my toy....80% mowing 20% playing in the woods, snow castles for the kids, etc.

I need to spec turfs with all the mowing but they are obviously going to slick over in mud whilst playing in the woods...my question to you experienced folks is...

Will adding chains (which I need for using FEL in snow anyway) make a turf tire the equivilent of R4s in mud and FEL work? If so what type of chains are best?

Also, the Kubota dealer offers a "modified turf" with a bunch of little V treads...what about these as far as the balance between mud traction vs. turf damage??

RickB · Nov 6, 2004

Turfs and chains probably will be better than turfs alone, but may not be as good as R4's with or without chains for mud. Can't beat chains for ice/packed snow regardless of tire type. The problem I see with turfs in the woods is the POSSIBILITY that the turfs will have a lower ply rating than the R4's, increasing the potential for punctures. Bar turfs would be a better choice for you than conventional turf tires. You will learn sooner or later to remove the MMM before performing any rough-terrain work; be sure the MMM goes off and on easy.

SeymourBota · Nov 6, 2004

We run turfs with chains in the winter and when it's muddy (Vermont's 5th season- mud season!!)

I think you'll find the turfs with chains to be nearly as good as ag or R4 tires and they will be easier on your lawn when mowing.
Go for it!!

brad_oatley · Nov 6, 2004

What is a modified turf? What tire manufacturer and model is it? John Deere 650 compact tractors used to be shipped with a type of tire that might be what you need. The name escapes me right now but I think it was a Goodyear terra-something. It was a nice tire, part turf, part bar.

RalphVa · Nov 6, 2004

I've a Gravely with dual turfs for most work but have chains to fit on single turfs when using the skinny snow blower. I also have a dual set of ag tires. Turfs with chains are definitely the best in snow/ice. In mud, ag and turf with chains will both dig you into a hole and get totally covered with mud and become slicks, but not as fast as turfs alone without the chains. Think you need to keep the tractor garaged when there's mud about.

Ralph

53gravely · Nov 6, 2004

Here's a Photo sort of like what the dealer had on the B7610 as a compromise between regular turf tires and R4 bar pattern....except I recall the pattern being comprised of more and smaller V's

I copped this photo off a dealer's ( Carver Equipment) website where they were referred to as "bar turf" tires. These look like they're a lot more aggressive (turf damaging) then the ones I recall seeing.

[image]http://www.carverequipment.com/images/turftire.jpg [/image]

frank_f15 · Nov 6, 2004

TURFS would be best for mowing , and will work ok with chains for snow and mud BUT having to put chains on, the second it gets a little wet can be a hassle, plus the chains will really mark up the lawn. i personaly prefer R4's and then if u need chains for snow removal then use them, when it is really muddy as someone else stated KEEP IT PARKED.

eee · Nov 6, 2004

( when it is really muddy as someone else stated KEEP IT PARKED )

That depends on what your needs are.The mud never stopped me,maybe slowed me down.

keeney · Nov 7, 2004

My JD 4100 has turfs on it. During the construction of our house during the rainiest summer ever here in MN, I used it a lot for loader work in the wet clay.

I didn't want to buy a set of ag rims and tires because the project was planned to only take a year (took 2, but that is another story).

I put some Titan "true-power" ag-style tires that were wide enough to fit on the existing front turf-width wheels (because there wasn;t clearance for chains on the front). I put chains over the OEM turfs on the back.

The chains worked great and were much cheaper than a new set of wheels and tires.

The only negative about the chains is that they are a PITA to put on (taking off is fairly quick). If money was no object, I'd recommend two tractors - one with ag tires/wheels, and one with turfs.

Our clay would only really get wet on the top, creating a slick layer 6 to 12 inches deep. No danger of digging in, but would clearly slick-over almost any tire tread, much less the turfs. I think that chains actually clear themselves better than the ags alone because of the slight movement.

Now, the lawn is in, and I have removed th chains. The Titan ag-style fronts were soft enough that they have worn down to the point where I have left them on for mowing and they don't mark up the lawn too bad. When they wear out, I will replace them with true turfs again.

In the winter, I don't find I need chains when plowing on pavement with the turfs.

The trickiest traction situation I have now is what to do in the sand at the the lakeshore when using the tractor to pull my dock in for the season or launch the fishing boat. The chains help, but they also dig down faster.

- Rick

Henro · Nov 7, 2004

Attached is a photo I took last week. I was back filling a ditch. It wasn't that wet, but it had rained the day before I think...

The tires are R4s. Hard to tell almost. Even with chains it was hard to move well. Not sure how to compare turfs, ags or R4s in this kind of stuff...R1 would probably be the best...I often wish I had them on my tractor when the clay sticks like this...

Turfs turn to slicks faster than R4s...My guess would be that turfs with chains would be better than R4s without chains in stull that sticks...