Everyone I know that messes with diesel tuning on their truck ends up with burnt pistons of some other engine failure down the road. Engine components are a system designed to work with the designed tuning.
I could never see paying cash for vehicles. I can still get a better investment rate of return than the loan interest rates I can get at my credit union. As long as I can afford the payments, my cash stays invested.
I believe the Kubota matched backhoe kit comes with the subframe and hydraulic lines. You would need rear remotes for hookup. IDK how many remotes are required; but getting less than 3 makes no sense.
I’ve never had that situation with R4’s. They only would be an issue is the ground was soft and wet, and anything would tear up grass under those conditions.
The R14s are a nice compromise between traction and being gentle on the ground. But for your purposes going in the woods, I would choose R4. They have the most rigid sidewalls and are more durable riding over sticks and rocks.
I don’t mow lawns with my MX, but I do rotary cutting of native grass and brush in field conditions. I always cut with my loader and bucket on. I use it to pick up debris like down branches, ect… while I’m out there cutting.
Nobody wants to do this, myself included, but digging it up and replacing the whole hydrant is your best option. Then you will have years of trouble free service. I had to do this last year.