Which tires should I order on my B2601

[davidmem]

I have a question on which turf tires I should order on my B2601. My 1.6 acres is all lawn and sometimes a bit soft during early spring and late fall. I was thinking getting the wider turf tires to gain float understanding I will lose some traction. I intend to use the unit to carry stuff around for landscaping, firewood, and snowblowing. I have a separate zero-turn mower.


On a mostly flat lot with a nice lawn, would you go for more FLOAT or TRACTION (wider versus narrow tires)?

The rear tires with more "float" are 25% wider. They also appear to be 2" less in mounted diameter, so wonder if I lose an inch of ground clearance.

I also have noticed the wider 15" tire does have a more aggressive pattern to it .

Option 1 - more traction, rear 12.5" wide:
FRONT - 23x8.50-12 R3 Kenda Super Turf K500 FenWhl
REAR - 33x12.5-15 HF-1 Goodyear SofTrac (ABR8727 & ABR8779)

Option 2 - more float, rear 15.5" wide
FRONT - 22x8.50-12 R3 Bridgestone Pillow Diameter 1
REAR - 31x15.5-15 HF-1 Goodyear Xtra Traction


Option 1 left, option 2 right. Option 2 is more aggressive and wider.

 

[awesome]

I got the r14 tires on my b2601. They're good enough for winter. Haven't tried it yet in summer on lawn but they look like they'd be ok.

If I was gonna use the tractor on flat lawn, I'd probably just get the turf tires and get some chains for the winter (if that's possible).

 

[JustinB60]

I got the r14 tires on my b2601. They're good enough for winter. Haven't tried it yet in summer on lawn but they look like they'd be ok.

If I was gonna use the tractor on flat lawn, I'd probably just get the turf tires and get some chains for the winter (if that's possible).

We need you R14 guys to get out on those soggy spring lawns quickly so the rest of us about to order can get the reports back!

 

[awesome]

We need you R14 guys to get out on those soggy spring lawns quickly so the rest of us about to order can get the reports back!

Haha. Well I would wait for the ground to dry up a bit. I had industrial tires on my bx and that was harsh on the soggy soil.

I'm more interested to see how they'll perform in wet clay. I tend to stay off the lawn as much as I can anyway.

 

[GSD-Keegan]

oh. My MY ...These tires cause alot of procrastination. LOL. I also have a 2601 on order. Trying to be patient for my dealer to get it in. Ordered it with R14S. Dealer informed R14S on back order with no real delivery date estimate. Dealer may deliver tractor....sometime this month?? with R4s. I also have a zero turn on order so I wont be cutting grass with Kubbie, but will be driving across it alot to access trees that need to be taken down. Dang tires have been the most stressful part of purchasing a tractor for my property.

 

[skeets]

What ever you get forget about the R4's I dont understand how they could be so much different than the old R4;s these SOBs will slip on dry grass. I wish I had not gotten them

 

[WhitleyStu]

We mowed, sprayed, fertilized and did various yard chores last summer with our B2601 without any turf damage from the R14s in both wet and dry weather. I was impressed with the traction this past winter while snow blowing with rear mounted blower and pushing snow with FEL bucket. I had asked the dealer to install R4s, but when I went to pick up the new 2601 they had put R14s on. They told me if I didn't like the 14s I could bring the tractor back and they would install the R4s. I am very pleased with the R14s when I am done mowing as there are very little tire tracks in the 4" mowed grass. I also like the ride with R14s as I had some back and neck issues that were present when mowing 3+ acres with our BX2230 with R1 tires.

 

[davidmem]

I got the r14 tires on my b2601. They're good enough for winter. Haven't tried it yet in summer on lawn but they look like they'd be ok.

If I was gonna use the tractor on flat lawn, I'd probably just get the turf tires and get some chains for the winter (if that's possible).

Thank you. It's surprising how good I hear that turf tires are in winter . Not sure exactly why and to me it seems counterintuitive there are a lot of people saying the turfs do just fine in the winter .

 

[michigander]

I have turfs R-14's wasn't a option when I purchased mine , buying in 2021 R-14's need a good long look at. Turfs are great for mowing and snow

Turfs not so great in mud I'm told I try to avoid mud
Here is a picture on delivery day I open up our 2nd driveway, my first time using a loader.

 

[davidmem]

I'm just not certain if I should go with the smaller diameter wider tire or larger diameter narrower turf tire both are turf tires. Again the wider shorter tire has a more aggressive tread .

 

[cmorningstar01]

My 2003 B7500 originally came with your option 1 tires, It was used primarily at a marina on gravel and when I purchased it the center tread of those tires were pretty well worn out, I priced replacement Goodyear tires and they were just too expensive so I bought a set of no name brand 33x12.5-15 LT snow tires, Lots of traction at about 1/2 the cost, The 33x12.5-15 is a very common size so my choice in tires and tread design gave a lot of options which were readily available at a very reasonable price.

The option 1 tires give you a little more ground clearance

The 23x8.50-12 is also a common tire size so when I needed to replace the front tires I also had lots to choose from at a reasonable price.



Option 1 - more traction, rear 12.5" wide:
FRONT - 23x8.50-12 R3 Kenda Super Turf K500 FenWhl
REAR - 33x12.5-15 HF-1 Goodyear SofTrac (ABR8727 & ABR8779

 

[jimh406]

Turf tires are supposedly great for snow or grass. I’d go with the wider ones to cause less damage to the turf.

 

[davidmem]

Turf tires are supposedly great for snow or grass. I’d go with the wider ones to cause less damage to the turf.

Interesting that the more NARROW option (left) has a less aggressive tread. So less float, but might be easier on the lawn. SofTrac is left, Xtra Traction right.

 

[davidmem]

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The option 1 tires give you a little more ground clearance

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The option 1 tires give you a little more ground clearance
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Yes, and a less aggressive "button" design, so that might be easier on the lawn even though it has less "float" than the other wider tire.

 

[Fastball]

Thank you. It's surprising how good I hear that turf tires are in winter . Not sure exactly why and to me it seems counterintuitive there are a lot of people saying the turfs do just fine in the winter .

Snow sticks to snow...snow sticks less to rubber. Turfs are full of tread openings, compared to the big blocks of rubber that r4s have. Snow jams into the blocks and sipes of the turfs - and because snow sticks to snow, you have some traction. Not so much with a solid chunk of rubber.

 

[awesome]

Snow sticks to snow...snow sticks less to rubber. Turfs are full of tread openings, compared to the big blocks of rubber that r4s have. Snow jams into the blocks and sipes of the turfs - and because snow sticks to snow, you have some traction. Not so much with a solid chunk of rubber.

But I would expect this to be a problem since most of the time you'd be driving over a plowed driveway. So unless you scrape all the ways down, chances are you'd be on compacted snow/ice right?

Can you put chains on turf tires? or would they just slip on the tire?

 

[ltpeto164]

I'm located in northern Wisconsin and have a 2020 B2601 with the turf 33x12.5x15 rear (filled) and 23x8.5x12 front. They have performed great on the lawn, driveway maintenance, landscaping, working in woods on dry and damp conditions. I also have a front 55" snowblower for clearing a 1/2 mile driveway with two moderate inclines. This past winter was mild for our area but the snowblowing I did worked great without chains. No slippage going up the inclines in low range, 4wd. I do have chains, but did not need them because we did not get ice build up this season. I am very satisfied with turf tires.

 

[Henro]

What ever you get forget about the R4's I dont understand how they could be so much different than the old R4;s these SOBs will slip on dry grass. I wish I had not gotten them

I felt that way for a while. But now I am not sure anymore...I have R4s on my B2910. Not the greatest on wet grass or mud, but do work. Each tire type has its advantages. Just finally realizing that.

Actually mine do not slip on dry grass, but I know the feeling you are expressing Skeets!

 

[davidmem]

For the record I went with option 1. I think the tread is too aggressive for my 100% lawn with option #2.

 

[davidmem]

But I would expect this to be a problem since most of the time you'd be driving over a plowed driveway. So unless you scrape all the ways down, chances are you'd be on compacted snow/ice right?

Can you put chains on turf tires? or would they just slip on the tire?

The snowblower should get things just about to the pavement, and the blower is out front.