What tire choice for new BX2370?

JayOrange

New member
Mar 20, 2017
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New York
I am purchasing a BX2370 with 60" mower and front end loader but stuck on tire choice.

We have a 5 acre lot. About an acre is the woods and won't be going in there with the mower. The rest of the property is flat for 1+ acre, slope for 1+ acre, flat for a bit less than an acre (then the woods). The slope is probably 15 degrees... nothing crazy but definitely significant.

This is primarily a mower for the 2-3 acres of flat-slope-flat. I'd suspect 80% of the time. In the winter, it will plow a flat ~100 foot paved driveway (using loader, not ideal but I'll make it work). We have another gravel ~300 foot gravel driveway leading to a shed that's on a 10-20 degree slope at times.

The above makes me think getting turfs will work best. They should be better in the snow and certainly better on the grass. However, my fears are the following:

1. We do have a lot of slope to mow. Are R4 / industrial tires better on slopes?

2. We do get some moist ground surrounding oak trees in our immediate back yard. It's flat so until trees soak up the water, it can be wet with nowhere for the water to go at first. I suppose not bothering with this until it's dry is best bet anyhow?

3. More wet ground at the bottom flat section of our yard. It can get quite wet but we are working to grade the property and fix the flooding stream that causes this... which brings me to:

4. Front End Loader work - we will be trying to grade the property a bit to help with water issue. This will mean dirt and, likely, mud. I have a feeling even R4 tires will have trouble. However, it's a one time thing. Once it's fixed it won't be wet and we won't be dealing with dirt/mud other then:

5. Gardening. I plan to put some terraces into the sloped section of the yard to garden. So, again, this might cause traction issues for all but R1 / agriculture tires.

However... despite #4 and #5, this is a mower first and foremost.

Do I go with turfs still? The Terra Grip Rubber Chains look interesting. I don't want to use metal chains which will ruin our driveway and garage. However, will rubber chains be adequate to give traction in dirt and mud with turfs?

If we get R4s, I have a feeling they still will struggle in dirt and mud and we might need chains anyhow... and they will also struggle in snow, again, unless we use chains. I can cut grooves into the lugs for snow, but what do I gain with R4s that turfs + rubber chains won't give me?

Any and all advice helpful. Thanks!
 

85Hokie

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Personally - I would go with the R4's......turfs are great for mowing, aint good at all after they get in the mud, even a little.

The Ag's are great, but for cutting grass......not so great.

The R4's were designed as a middle ground - I think they are the perfect middle ground to have!
 

jmf78

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BX23S W/ Factory Deluxe Cab, 60" MMM, 60" BX-2612 Snow Blade & BX-2816 Blower
Nov 5, 2015
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Edinboro, PA, USA
I have R4's on my BX and have no trouble at all in mud, snow, etc... My land is pretty flat but I push some pretty heavy snow here in northwestern PA with no problems at all.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 

Ramos

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1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
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Sherman County, Oregon
I think the Turf tires have the advantage in the yard AND the snow. The R4's have a slight-to-moderate edge in the mud. If the mud bogging is to be a temporary thing, chains will get you through that project. I just have never been impressed with the traction provided by R4 tires. In situations where you need more puncture resistance and sidewall strength, the R4 becomes more attractive than the Turf. These thoughts are based on my personal experiences, not on any scientific studies! I know a lot of guys run the R4 and are perfectly happy with them.
 

JayOrange

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Mar 20, 2017
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New York
So, we've got 2 for the R4s and 1 for turfs!

Ramos, what you are saying about mud bogging being temporary and just using chains then is what draws me to the turfs. I imagine turfs with chains (rubber sufficient if want to avoid damaging pavement?) should be just as good if not better in mud than R4s?

Anyone with experience use chains on turfs in mud and wet soil as compared to R4s? I imagine R1s are better than both but benefit to turfs with chains (if it works) is that chains are easier to take on and off then tires themselves. And perhaps extends usability more than the R4s alone... of course they can be added to R4s too. But turfs are better on lawn and in snow.
 

groomerbuck

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Nov 14, 2015
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Palmerton, Pennsylvania,
I have a bx2370 with r4s. Lets just say im not impressed with them in the least. I mainly bought them for an all around tire but that theory went out the window IMO. I feel they are absolutely horrible in the snow and just ok for mowing. I just ordered a set of turfs and rims so we will see how i like these.
 

JayOrange

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Mar 20, 2017
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New York
It sounds like the R4s might not be a good option.

So then how are turfs in dirt/mud if you through chains on them? More specifically, terra grips... since don't want to ruin our pavement.
 

gulfmp

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BX2370, FEL, 54" mmm, BX 5450, Box blade
Dec 23, 2016
25
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Central MA
I ordered my 2370-1 with R4's. They tore up the grass and were terrible in the snow.

Switched to the turfs....night and day difference in the snow. I haven't owned it long enough to see have they will be when the snow melts.
 

Ramos

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1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
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Sherman County, Oregon
It sounds like the R4s might not be a good option.

So then how are turfs in dirt/mud if you through chains on them? More specifically, terra grips... since don't want to ruin our pavement.

What kind of soil do you have? Our soil here is a somewhat sandy loam. Have done a fair amount of loader work in the last year, both dirt and snow. With Turfs, I spend a fair amount of time in 4WD but only occasionally need to use the diff-lock. No plans to purchase chains as I have not seen the need. If I had clay, I would almost certainly want a set of chains.
 

SLIMSHADIE

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Kubota BX25D
Apr 10, 2013
445
1
16
Eureka,IL
I like my R4's. Yes they can tear up a yard after a good rain but just be careful or don't go out. I think if my machine was primarily for mowing then turfs wood be the choice. I've read turfs are better in snow, but I have NO complaints. I don't use chains either. Its 50/50
 

JayOrange

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Mar 20, 2017
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New York
Anyone living in upstate NY / Hudson Valley know the soil type? Certainly not sandy...

I would generally avoid going out when wet since suspect neither tire fair well and could damage lawn. In that instance, it would seem turf benefits and benefits in snow.

I'm just not sure when R4s will benefit. I imagine turfs can manage a 15 degree slope fine? And will they really be that much worse with loader work? If wet and muddy really needs agriculture tires anyhow then both turf and r4 need chains... Turfs benefit there.

Am I missing something when I see the real benefit to r4 is tough ground and puncture resistance? Which I don't need. If the traction increase is margin in wet conditions and need chains anyhow... then why not turfs where snow and lawn will be better?

Unless there is a significant benefit when in dry dirt? Or should turfs fair fine there?
 

Ramos

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Equipment
1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
463
3
0
Sherman County, Oregon
The R4 is designed for the construction industry. The top two priorities are load capacity and long life w/puncture resistance. Compared to an Ag tire, they give up a lot of traction due to the lug configuration down the centerline of the tire. On the plus side, it will last much, much longer when running and turning (scuffing) on hard surfaces. On a BX, I truly believe there are only two benefits to running R4's: 1. Puncture resistance and, 2. They look more manly. :D

If your 15* slope has grass, the Turf tire will have better grip. You simply have more 'edges' holding the machine on course.

For loader work with the Turfs, I do run a fairly high pressure (20psi) in the front tires to reduces sidewall flex. The R4's, supposedly built on a stronger casing, would better tolerate lower pressures. For mowing, I just leave my tires at that pressure because I am lazy... :)

I seriously doubt that you would 'hate' the R4's. However, I feel quite confident that you would be very satisfied with Turfs in your situation.

Just my opinion, and worth at least half of the price charged!

Last Thought: Ideally, a guy would have a complete set of Turfs AND a complete set of R1 Ag tires.
 

JayOrange

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Mar 20, 2017
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New York
The R4 is designed for the construction industry. The top two priorities are load capacity and long life w/puncture resistance. Compared to an Ag tire, they give up a lot of traction due to the lug configuration down the centerline of the tire. On the plus side, it will last much, much longer when running and turning (scuffing) on hard surfaces. On a BX, I truly believe there are only two benefits to running R4's: 1. Puncture resistance and, 2. They look more manly. :D

If your 15* slope has grass, the Turf tire will have better grip. You simply have more 'edges' holding the machine on course.

For loader work with the Turfs, I do run a fairly high pressure (20psi) in the front tires to reduces sidewall flex. The R4's, supposedly built on a stronger casing, would better tolerate lower pressures. For mowing, I just leave my tires at that pressure because I am lazy... :)

I seriously doubt that you would 'hate' the R4's. However, I feel quite confident that you would be very satisfied with Turfs in your situation.

Just my opinion, and worth at least half of the price charged!

Last Thought: Ideally, a guy would have a complete set of Turfs AND a complete set of R1 Ag tires.
This makes sense. It seems R4s as a middle ground isn't the design application . They are designed for construction. That happened so to have lugs that fall between turf and agr.

It seems that any assumption about r4 being all around is somewhat inaccurate. There is simply no such tire.

So two sets would be ideal...

But how would chains on turfs, preferably rubber Terra grip, fair vs. agriculture tires?
 

7milesup

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BX2380 FEL, 54" MMM, 48" King Kutter, Fabricated land plane (it is awesome!).
Apr 3, 2017
19
1
3
Northwest, WI
This makes sense. It seems R4s as a middle ground isn't the design application . They are designed for construction. That happened so to have lugs that fall between turf and agr.

It seems that any assumption about r4 being all around is somewhat inaccurate. There is simply no such tire.

So two sets would be ideal...

But how would chains on turfs, preferably rubber Terra grip, fair vs. agriculture tires?
I am taking delivery of my new BX2380 shortly. I don't have much to add but I am getting mine with turf. If you care about your lawn at all, you will not want ag tires. The industrial R4 sure look cool, buy I have run skid steers a fair amount and have never been utterly impressed with their traction. In fact, in snow I feel you might as well have slicks on whenever I have run a skidsteer in snow
With AWD, I don't thing the turf will disappoint. That is my 2 cents, which may not even be worth that.
 

mpham

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B 2650 cab
Nov 15, 2016
152
1
18
Massachusetts
I have turfs on my B2650. Work excellent for snow and mowing. I also used them for landscaping and moving a stone wall. Only had a problem in deep soft mud. Only buried it once and it got itself out.
 

Lencho

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B7100hst
Jan 21, 2017
415
87
28
NM
I believe you should spec out your tractor for what you plan on doing - sounds like most of the hours will be spent mowing turf - so that is the job turf tires are designed for. Just get them, the four wheel drive is a great help when you need more traction - and the diff. lock can get you out of trouble. Add chains for sloppy or icy conditions.
 

RonBoyBX25D

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Aug 1, 2015
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Minneapolis, MN
since it isn't my money I would suggest both, ask the dealer for the turf from wholesale parts by the salesman. I have the R4's and they are very durable, actually picked up the turf from the salesman for about $300 for the full set. I have yet to put the turf's on yet, but once the heavy work on the woods s done maybe then turf's when mowing is the majority of the work. I have had no issues in snow unless ice was under it, then chains would be the only way out. Good luck with the new tractor.