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 | Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0 
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1999-11-02 9375
I'm wondering which tires feel more stable on a slope....Turfs or Ags? Or does it make a difference at all? Has anyone had a chance to drive the same tractor with different tires?
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| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-11-03 9385
Roger,We bought our 4100 with R4's, mainly because of the loader, and to confess....The turfs looked "wimpy". After I got over my manhood problem, and tore up the lawn a bit (Turning on the hill), we called our dealer to find out about swapping a set of turfs. This conversion created mixed emotions & definitely showed the pros/cons of either style. 1st..Half of our yard "can" cause an uneasy feeling while crossing/mowing sidways. (FYI:I use rear wheel weights even for mowing) This coupled with the R4s stiff sidewalls which practically threw me out of the seat over bumps,didn't give me a warm fuzzy. The R4's found bumps in places I didn't know any existed (Recommended air pressure). Rears,Air'd down to ~15lbs, helped soften this problem quite a bit, although probably not a recommended practice. The turfs soak the bumps and give a more stable feel. On the other hand, The R4s stiff sidewalls, gave a more controlled feel when using the loader, making it feel very stable while articulating the loader. The Turf's soft sidewalls tend to create a bit of bounce when doing the same.....unfortunately I can't compare the performance of the R1s. ....
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| PaulB
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-11-04 9412
Roger - as you are a frequent user of the "other" tractor message board, you may recognise my name, and the fact that I have been posting about my B1700 terrorizing me on slopes for the last year. I have ag tires, set as wide as possible loaded with calcium, and there are certain areas of my property that I simply will not traverse.I have had it balanced on 2 wheels more than once, and I will not so much as pull out of the garage without my seatbelt on. I tried a friends Cub Cadet with turfs, and it felt like I was riding on big, soft, sticky marshmellows. Granted, his was a larger tractor (their 30 horsepower model) so it is not a direct comparison, but I felt like the tires made a huge difference, putting a lot more rubber on the ground, and spreading the weight over a broader surface. I have been contemplating having a second set of wheels (ags for winter plowing, turfs to stay alive in the summer) but need to wait on the $ first. I know I have not directly answered your question, but for me the difference was enough that I am going to get the second set when I can.PaulB ....
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| Pete
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-11-04 9423
Roger- From what I can tell, having driven similar(not the same) machines with both AGs and turfs, the turfs feel MUCH more stable on hills.If you convert over to turfs, you will most likly drop to a lower dia. tire, which will lower the center of gravity of the machine. I little lowering here goes a long way. The turfs have a much wider footprint which will add to the stability. I have also found that AGs have great forward/backward traction, but not so great side so side. Nothing like sliding sideways on a dewy hill to make you pich a hole in the seat cover. The turfs seem to be more balanced. The softer sidewalls will give more on the terrain imperfections, and also provide more stability. My call has always been that unless you really, really need the extra traction almost all of the time, go with the turfs. Anyhow, thats my $.02BTW- the 4wd in my 276d chewed up the part that moves the slider gear. ....
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| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-11-04 9445
Now it is time for me to confess that I've always liked the looks of a tractor with the turf tires on it...Somehow it seems more muscular looking to me. Up where I live with more rocks than dirt, the turfs give a lot more traction. In the winter, the turfs don't do nearly so well in wet snow as the Ag tires, but with chains, the turfs are probably better. Glad to hear that some other people out there also prefer the turfs. As for side hill stability, most tractors scare me that way....the turfs maybe a little less. Maybe they really are better instead of just feeling that way to me. Roger ....
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| Ted
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-11-05 9458
There is only one way to comfortably and SAFELY negotiate a hill on a compact, regardless of colour, size or tires, and that is absolutely perpendicular to the hill!! Do not stop, change speed (if possible), turn, raise or lower 3pth or loader, or most especially, try to shift part way up or down!!!! If you must cut a slope, do it uphill only, drive back down then cut your way up again, reasoning, if you are cutting downhill and machine slips you won't be able to react properly (or fast enough) under power. In the course of my business we cut several paddocks that exceed 45deg. slopes (i.e. they go up 1' for every 1' forward!!) this is done in 3rd or 4th gear, and only with a 4wd machine with a VERY experienced operator. If in doubt or uncomfortable, DONT DO IT! Better to live to play, I mean work with your tractor another day.........Best of luck & be safe!! ....
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| mike t.
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-11-06 9478
Roger, Ags give me WAY MORE security when operating on hilly terrian. As shear habit and for safety issues I always mow up and down no matter how steep the slope is. Ag tires enable you to go slower downhill and uphill with far less slippage. With turf tires I can only make it halfway up and that dreaded wheel-spin happens thus forcing a dangerous mid-hill turn or backdown. ....
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| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-11-08 9507
Mike, I had never thought of the difference in tires that way. Thanks for the comment.....I don't have much grass to mow, but some hills on my land are slick with either sand or with pine needles. Going up or down those it doesn't matter what tires I have, the tractor can loose traction. As for that "dangerous mid-hill turn"......well, I never do it. I'll ALWAYS back down to a flat spot to turn around. Although it has happened that even going straight down a slope with the bucket full caused the tractor to slide down to the flat spot all by itself! Roger ....
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