Go BottomKubota L3240 TURF vs INDUSTRIAL TIRES
 | pspro0150
Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 RI 
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2009-06-16 163462
I am purchasing a new Kubota L3240 fel, bh. I have the option of AG, turf or Industrial tires.
Work will be in woods, field, driveway, and on my lawn or crossing it. I was considering turf tires so I won't leave imprints on my lawn.
Also, I plan to build a stone retaining wall, and plant a few 800-1000 lb rocks. Will the turf tires carry the 1500 lb capacity of the FEL?
The suggestion has been to go with the R4's because:
1) AG's will leave marks all over and are not needed.
2) The turf's puncture easier than the tougher R4's.
3) Better traction with R4's in dirt+woods than turf's.
4) R4's won't leave marks in lawn if the ground is dry.
How about some experienced opinions. TY
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 | auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto 
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2009-06-16 163463
Turfs will carry the weight. Suggestions are correct. And you are right to consider the tread type.
Doesn't sound like you'll need the traction of the ags. Their deeper lugs better protecting against damage is more of a concern on construction sites.
You could get a little garden tractor for not much more than a mower for the Kubota, and save some on-and-off work.
On the other hand, a tractor lasts a long time, and maybe in a few years your heavy projects will be finished and you'll use it mainly for lawn mowing.
....
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 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY 
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2009-06-16 163464
The archives are full of pros and cons a lot of info.
I've had ags and I currently have turfs for the past 6 years. I would only buy turfs for my compacts from now on. I use the compact in the woods I try to go in when drier but if wet I use chains for the day oe 2.
Turfs seem to be the best all around tire. I use the industrials on equipment at work and they have poor traction on any wet soil. The ags work the best except on lawn and snow and ice in the driveway. ....
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 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2009-06-16 163466
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I dumped brand new industrials for ags due to lack of traction in wet or dry clay soil. Since then I have rarely suffered from loss of traction even in snow. But there is no finish lawn here to mark up. Harvey's advice seems right on the money. ....
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2009-06-16 163467
I'll agree with Harvey with this unless you are loaded with thorns. Then I'd say to give the industrial tires a run. It's funny but with snow removal on a paved driveway the turfs beat them all! ....
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| auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2009-06-16 163470
It's easy and cheap to put chains on turfs when needed. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2009-06-16 163471
PsPro;
I won't say too much here, being I sorta torqued off several a couple days ago over the hydro/gear question, so I'll keep it short and sweet. I'll completely agree with all four of the statments in your post. ....
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| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2009-06-16 163472
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Frank, I don't think anyone was torqued off at anyone. We all have our preferences. ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-06-17 163475
I assume it's 4x4? I use R-4's only so I'm going by other posts about turfs.
Auer makes a good point about a small mower versus all that added weight toting around just mowing. And remember that expensive mower loader backhoe has a cost per hour to operate (example: in 1996 dollars my skid steer cost $32 an hour to run). So each hour you are cutting grass cost the same as using the backhoe. I'll take it one step further and add that maybe you could or should just rent a skid steer with forks for the heavy landscape work, and rent a miniexcavator for the digging chores.
Keep in mind even though it's a 'bota, it's not designed or built to be an all around work horse. By that I mean you may end up really damaging the loader bucket simply picking up those 1,000 lb rocks---the cutting edge let alone the bucket itself can't support the weight nad it will end up looking like it's forever smiling at you--not a good thing.
Generally, tires used on CUTs of any size were designed years ago for some other machine--the front tires on my CUT were desigtned to be used on smaller skid steers; the rears were designed to be used on large 2-yard front end loaders.
That said, depending on the size of turfs and their intended ORIGINAL use they may or may not be the "perfect" choice particularly in the front for loader work since the sidewalls may be not as strong and stiff as an R-4 which has thick sidewalls. (I've seen some turfs on the front of a CUT thst were designed as rear tires on a much smaller machine.) The thinner sidewall means the tire could (not saying will) peel off under certain conditions such as turning without moving with a heavy load.
As far as chains on turfs which is a good idea, I'd first check at the delar to verify fitemnt clearances between the tire's sidewall and the inner fender, and anything else such as the 3pt hitch arms. I have very little room with my R-4s so I could never use chains. ....
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| pspro0150
Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 RI
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2009-06-17 163483
Thanks for all the input.
My work area will have some briars, as well as some cut off sapling stumps. This worries me with the 4 ply turfs. We don't have any clay around here, all sandy loam. The dealer really suggests the R4's.
There is plenty of room for chains with either tire. ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-06-17 163484
4-ply!!! Oooooh maaaan. Are they the fronts like I mentioned that are seen on the rears of small tractors/mowers?
4-ply--that usually means two in the tread and two in the sidewall. I've got 12-ply heavy-duty R-4's on my skid steer and still get roofing nails popping them. And my sidewalls are so gouged and chunked out I have to use semi-truck boots or liners doubled up to cover the holes--and I use inner tubes. ($1000 for aftermarket tires or $2500 for OEMs just ain't in the cards yet). A set usually lasts 250 hours, and it's now 249:11:59 LOL.
I've got 700 hours on the CUT with R-4's (New Holland TC-33D) and all but one is good condition. I drive a lot on hard surfaces but still half the tread remaining. ....
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| ejkessler
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 95 Northern CT
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2009-06-21 163537
I have an L3540/FEL/BH, exact same machine with a few extra HP with R4's. I have 75+ hours on it, blowing snow and ice, digging trenches and loader work in clay and muddy soil on 4.5 acres. I have yet to have any real traction problems. I have an almost golf course quality lawn, 3.5 acres and as long as the soil isn't wet and I leave the front wheel drive off I don't have the imprint issues. I seeded it, core aerated it, fertilized it and limed it with this tractor without any problems. I also agree with getting a separate mower. I have a scag zero turn freedom Z and can cut my lawn in 1/3 the time with the tractor as well and am not putting on valuable hours on it. Turfs are great and at times I still wonder if I should have gone that route, but so far I have been as happy as a pig in manure. ....
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 | bvance
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 280 The Great Pacific NorthWet, Olympia, WA
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2009-06-21 163540
There's never been a perfect machine made and/or attachments that will work in all conditions. There are always trade-offs. Figure out what is most important to you and go with what you will use it most for.
If is fairly heavy construction for a year or two, go with the lugged tire and then switch them out for turf if you will be mostly mowing after that.
If it is mostly mowing, I would guess there will be times you will need to mow when it is wet and soft and I will guarantee you, lugged tires will mark and tear your lawn in those conditions. If you can always mow it when it is firm and dry, probably not a big issue.
Brian ....
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 | AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 463 Troy OH
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2009-06-22 163552
The moment you rip up the lawn with the R4's your wife will get on your ar$e and you will wish you had bought turfs - it's just a matter of time (just letting you in on a little secret here). ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-06-22 163555
It's been my experience that shredded turf has more to do with the operator than the tires or machine.
Tight turns and operating in 4WD will tear of turf with almost any machine.
Best of luck. ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2009-06-22 163561
I can believe trufs are easier on lawns than other tires. But as I have stated before cut a lot of grass even with tractors that were in the 6,000 to 8,000 range with R -1s with no real issue. Just don't turn those front tires sharp as they dig in. Now, if lawn is wet I would stay off however on the slope in my mother in laws yard must use trator with loader tires when it is wet as mower with truf tires can not climb it without spinning and really tearing up that turf. Tractor with truf tires probably would climb it fine also but the loader tires leave very little mark. That being a 2,000 lb or so CUT. Then the issue is the wheels on the RFM. ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-06-22 163562
Kenny, "truf" tires? errr? Oh, are those tough turf tires LOL
I agree with Murf. I have R-4's on my 3,500 lb. CUT and my 8,000 lb. skid steer. I don't drive the skid steer much across grass but unless I turn I barley leave a mark. With the CUT I traverse nice lawns all the time. Unless I go into a turn hard and fast or the ground is soft even walking on, not a trace. I cut my buddy's 3 acres with R-4's in 3rd (high-range) with a RFM and never leave a mark.
My rule-of-thumb for the soil types we have here is my machines are roughly equivalent to me putting my 2XX lb. weight on one heal and bouncing a few times. Generally, my forced heal penetrates about the same as the CUT's tires. For the skid steer which weighs more but has 12" wide tires I have to stomp really hard a few times for the same comparison. It all about weight distribution.
....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-06-23 163571
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Kenny, that's the difference between a 'consumer' grade and 'professional' grade mower. Even most 2WD mowers have a locking differential that allows you to cut on slopes like that without ripping up turf. The older Ransommes (now part of Textron) machine at home has a cable mechanism connected to the steering gear that locks the diff. as soon as the wheels are pointing straight, when you turn it automatically unlocks it again.
Our 4WD front-deck mowers are even more so, they'll climb a slope you can hardly walk up or down with no issue.
Best of luck. ....
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2009-06-23 163576
We have a road ditch bank in front of the farm house that is probably 35 ft. top to bottom, just guessing a 40% grade.
I used to mow it with the 4310 and an RMFM going up hill only then across the front yard back to the bottom and up again.
It wasn't an issue of being able to climb the grade with R4's in 4 WD, but the Mrs. has forbid me to do it anymore. I don't have enough life insurance to attract a second husbsand, she says she wants all the little critters to have a home on the praire, I guess.
I watch those smiling young ladies on the TV pushing the mighty DR weed and brush mower on steep slopes, no doubt they are a good mower, it just don't look like all that much fun to me. ....
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 | DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2009-06-24 163608
"one heal and bouncing a few times. Generally, my forced heal penetrates"
Wait a minute! Does Kenny's big spelling critic REALLY mean "heel"??
Maybe EW injured the back part of his foot and now his heel is healed?
....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2009-06-24 163609
Maybe he just didn't want to refer to himself as a heel. ;) ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-06-24 163617
Yup it was my healed heel--too much in a hurry to razz Kenny and got caught in my web---again. Buuut at least I can admit when...Kenny's wrong tehehehe ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2009-06-24 163620
EW, it is a team effort. I set you up and the other's pick you off. Some call it team work. LOL
But I am hearing it is getting easier and easier.
....
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| pspro0150
Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 RI
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2009-06-24 163627
Thanks for the input on the R4s EJ. It is reassuring - my L3240 arrives tomorrow morning with R4s. My dealer warned of the 2 ply turfs, which sound like a great tire. However, working in the woods with bull briars cut off underbrush, etc I wanted something more rugged. We must have similar terrain since northern CT is not far from southern RI.
Glad to hear this heavy tractor doesn't leave much imprint on your lawm when dry. I was worried about that. ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-06-25 163632
Kenny, yes, I feel the love.
Did you ever get back to us on the dirt pile moving LOL?
The other day I thought of you---I saw a 6x6 Army dump truck sitting atop a 30,000 yard mound of dirt my buddy got for free (as the saying goes nothing is for free--the township is threatening to sue unless he gets rid of it). It looked like a Tonka toy up here with the bed up. It's for sale too $6000! ....
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| bigangelman
Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Wisconsin
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2009-07-26 164372
I was concerned when I bought my cub which had industrial tires on it, There is only a little scuffing on some of the hills I mow when I turn shape. I think they give a little more traction over turf. If your ground is real soft I might want the turf tires but otherwise the industrial will do fine.
Tom
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2009-07-26 164375
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The scuffing is it from the rear or front tires? If front slow down a little for the turn and it probably will solved that. ....
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| bigangelman
Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Wisconsin
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2009-07-30 164492
The only scuffing I see is from the rear and I need to turn pretty tight to get it. However my yard is on a hill and lots of trees to go around. So the combination of tractor weight, turning close and dry hard ground it will scuff some. When things are greener I think it slips with out the scuff.
Tom ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-31 164501
High ground speed going into turns also causes scuffing, as does improper tire inflation. ....
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2009-07-31 164505
Almost sounds like the the differential lock is not disengaging.
Something to check anyways ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-31 164527
Harvey maybe you're right but wouldn't there be more front scuffug as it would tend to want to go straight? ....
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| bigangelman
Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11 Wisconsin
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2009-07-31 164532
No the diff is not locking, the front have never scuffed as they are the ones that steer. I think the scuffing is coming from the width of tghe rear tires and turning short. If you turn while the tire is rolling it doesn't scuff, but turn tight enough and the inside rear tire acts like a pivot point. You could get the front to scuff by doing high speed tight turns but my 11 mph isn't high speed enough.
Tom ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2009-07-31 164537
I am not doubting you but I sure can get my front tires to cut the grass at less than 11 mph with a real tight turn. They really don't scuff or not to me, rather they dig in with the outside side of the tire and cut the grass and tear it up. Happens with industrial and ag tires. No idea if truf tires would. I also fully understand real wide tires in tight turn could damage the grass. But then are not turf tires the widest tires which should make it more so?
Now, get on ZTR mower and you can do all kinds of damage with those rear tires.
As I typed the line about ZTR mower thought about using brakes on tractor which is about the same effect as turning with ZTR depending on how you work the steering or driving of the wheels. Yep using brakes to help get tight turns sure would cause rear tire to do possibly major damage. Would think any one would do that on their lawn or such.
....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2009-07-31 164538
Kenny, mark this day on your--as you would say--cal-lun-daar----I AGREE with YOU! LOL
My CUT has New Holland's SensiTrac, which is a torque- sensitive front axle drive (also lockable full-time). If I stay on the "go pedal" in a turn the front tires will dig in at any speed; not so much if I let off. Also, my CUT has SuperSteer which allows it to have a 16" turning radius--zero if I use the right cutting brake. ....
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2009-08-01 164545
WOW 11 MPH doing tight turns???? I know it not sound very fast but that is moving on grass. I typically mow at 3-4 mph and I consider that fast for a real tight turn with tractor and turfs.
ZT Ferris will mow at 8mph and no way can that make a tight turn at that speed. On pavement you better be hanging on tight if you try a 180 turn. ....
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