R4 or Turf for snow?...and damage to Hydro using single brake?

[allseasons]

He everyone, was looking at purchasing a B2650 or L3301, but really confused on which tire would be better for winter, the Industrial R4 or Turf (both would be loaded) possibly chains on the turf?. I have a gravel driveway about 500' long with one hill and was thinking about getting the hydraulic 72" blade for the FEL arms for plowing snow. I would use the tractor in summer for landscape work with dirt and wood chips, tilling, disking....I hear so many different opinions on which tire would be better. I live in Michigan so we get our share of snow.

My other question is about why on the L series they put the brakes on same side as the treadle pedal and on the B they are on separate sides? Seems much more convenient to be on separate sides but i was told that on the hydros, there is no reason to use single braking while turning and that it can actually damage the hydro if you do use the brakes that way to turn???? any truth in that?? thanks

 

[dirtydeed]

The turfs would definitely be better in the snow (even without chains) but won't work as well in ground engagement duty. If you're thinking of a set of chains anyway, I'd go r4's. No chains, I'd maybe consider the turfs if your earth work isn't too crazy.

I've had mine in some snow with R4's, not great, but not horrible either. maybe check with your dealer to get a sense of what they typically outfit that machine to other buyers in your area.

Not sure why the braking is set up that way on the L's. I didn't like it when I looked at them. My BX had the brake on left, the B's do as well.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

 

[kirk1870]

I live in Chelsea , have a bx1870 , push a 54" plow with only turfs. I have pushed back 4 foot banks without much trouble. I chained up once for a drive that had 2 feet of snow on top of ice.

 

[PaulL]

The B also used to have them on the right. And they were really hard to use, people complained, in the latest model they moved them to the left. The L is an older model, I'd guess next revision will move it on the L as well.

As for hurting the hydro, I don't get that. They run an open diff so unless you're standing on the diff lock whilst trying to turn I don't see how you hurt it (and if you're doing that, there's a user error problem)

 

[conropl]

Hello fellow Michigander.

I had a "B" with turf tires and have an "L" with R4's - both with loaded tires. I never really had an issue with the turf tires, but used a snowblower mostly.

Then I got a L3560HSDC with R4's, and was a little worried after all the horror stories about how bad they are in snow. Never really had a big issue with those either. However, the Cabbed Grand L's have a fair more weight than a standard L, and that may explain why it was not that bad.

The main issue with both has been loosing steering ability if the blower (or plow) unloads the front tires to much. That is, if the plow is pushing down to hard or floating is to stiff, the weight is lifted off the front tire and you loose steering. This is where the dual breaks comes in handy because you can still steer with the back tires if the steering wheel is doing nothing. Mine has the break peddles on the opposite side. I have never heard they would damage the HST, and doubt it would be a problem (although I am sure someone can figure out a way to miss-use them to cause a problem). I do not know why they would be put on the tractor if they are not to be used.

I do know that I do not have a lot of extra traction if I get one side off the edge of the drive a little to much, and just for some added traction in a pinch and for the steering issue described above... I have considered chains on the front tires. Putting chains on only the front tires... now there is a subject that will get you a lot of varying opinions. I am still debating front tire chains though - mostly because I am worried it would over stress the front end. However, I live on a gravel road, and having a gravel drive. Therefore, if I am only ever on gravel, grass, snow, or ice; then I do not see where it can hurt anything to put chains on the front. I will probably get a set of front tire chains this year

What else are you planning on doing with your tractor besides snow removal? Those other tasks may have a lot more bearing on what tires to get. I know my turf tires where horrible in mud/dirt. In fact, the draw backs in mud/dirt for turfs out weighed the benefits of turfs in snow. Since I would be doing ground engaging work with the "L", I opted for R4's and that was the right decision.

 

[85Hokie]

this really has nothing to do with "snow"....
but brings up some valuable points on the two types of tires

Messicks and R4s vs Turfs - grips and whatnot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9EVpXjzHsY

 

[Dennis.D]

I have had both, brake on the same side as hydro peddle and brake on left, hydro peddle on right. When back dragging with bucket the brakes will steer you where you want to go. Same in snow when weight gets lifted off the front tires using bucket. I personally wouldn't purchase a tractor with both peddles on the same side. (unless it was a supper deal that made it worth the inconvenience)

 

[SRG]

I used both Bridgestone diamond tread turfs last December, and then upgraded to Carlisle r4's in January. The R4's were better at pushing banks of snow and getting around, no question about it. No chains on either and I moved snow with a box blade.

I agree that the dirt engagement benefits outweigh any benefit that the turfs might provide.

 

[Ramos]

I used both Bridgestone diamond tread turfs last December, and then upgraded to Carlisle r4's in January. The R4's were better at pushing banks of snow and getting around, no question about it. No chains on either and I moved snow with a box blade.

I agree that the dirt engagement benefits outweigh any benefit that the turfs might provide.

Diamond tread is a whole different animal than the regular turf tread.

 

[SRG]

Diamond tread is a whole different animal than the regular turf tread.

I don't doubt it. That was just my experience. It was a night and day difference.

 

[BAP]

It makes a difference on your location and the type of snow you get. Dry powder snow, tire type doesn’t make as much difference. Wet, sticky snow and R-4s are useless. We used to have R-4s on our payloaders before radials came out, and without chains you could take some pretty scary rides with them.

 

[SDT]

He everyone, was looking at purchasing a B2650 or L3301, but really confused on which tire would be better for winter, the Industrial R4 or Turf (both would be loaded) possibly chains on the turf?. I have a gravel driveway about 500' long with one hill and was thinking about getting the hydraulic 72" blade for the FEL arms for plowing snow. I would use the tractor in summer for landscape work with dirt and wood chips, tilling, disking....I hear so many different opinions on which tire would be better. I live in Michigan so we get our share of snow.

My other question is about why on the L series they put the brakes on same side as the treadle pedal and on the B they are on separate sides? Seems much more convenient to be on separate sides but i was told that on the hydros, there is no reason to use single braking while turning and that it can actually damage the hydro if you do use the brakes that way to turn???? any truth in that?? thanks

Turf tires are better than R-4s (or R-1s) in snow. Turfs with chains are best.

Nothing wrong with using turning brakes with a HST.

SDT

 

[SAITCHO]

I have a B26 TLB with rear tires filled. I have R4 tires with trygg diamond studded chains on the rear. My tractor weight is similar to the L you are considering. I live in Quebec and we get a lot of snow, my main weapon is a pronovost snowblower. Up front I have a snow plow.

If you push in a straight line then there is no problem ,the main issue with a snow plow is when you try to push snow sideway. If there is not a ton of snow or if its fluffy there is no problem but if you push too much the front of the tractor is too light and its hard to go in a straight line. If you push in a straight line then there is no problem. Float mode is also pretty useless because the front tires simply lift in the air. The more weight you remove from the back the better the control is but at certain point you wont have enough weight on the rear to give good enough traction.

 

[allseasons]

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments. Looking forward to when i finally have a new toy and start playing around on it!! sure to have more questions.