L245DT: Brakes and Tires

[Pete Puma]

I've been slowly working my way through fixes to my L245 and learning as I go. In addition to obvious stuff like a new starter and dealing with zombie-grade wiring, there were a surprising number of missing bolts and cotter keys. The wiring is now up to Frankenstein level though I may never bother getting the charge and glow plug indicators working. Yesterday I greased the clutch release and it seems to have stopped squealing which is good for my ears at least.

There's just simply no adjustment left on the brakes and while stopping without brakes hasn't been an issue it seems like they might be a good thing to have. If I'm ordering parts ahead of time, what should I count on replacing while I have them open? I'm thinking

• O ring (5)
• Brake discs (7)
• Gasket (10)
• O ring (13)

Anything else?

Also, it has new agricultural tires and they've been great for traction (especially when I cleared snow off the driveway with the loader) but really rip up the soil. I'm thinking that turf tires might actually be better most of the time as we get this place more shipshape. And then once the tractoring around the house is all done, the ag tires would be good again.

I haven't priced fronts yet, but I'm finding turf options for the rears are limited and pricey in the DT's size (11.2/10). However the operator manual shows an L245T that used turf tires on different rims (13.6/16) which seem more available and affordable. Kubota doesn't even list the L245T on their parts site though. Any thoughts on mounting turf tires on the big rims vs getting smaller rims and tires for them? It might be nice to be able to swap without having to remount tires.

 

[Russell King]

I doubt you can physically mount a turf tire on your existing rims that are for ag tires. You may be able to get some tire that is not so aggressive as the R1 tires.

The turf tires are shown in the L245F parts list (link below). The rears but not front are shown in the L245DT section so if the rear sizes match then I ASSUME (which may be wrong to do) the fronts are probably the same size.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Illustrated Parts List

- K-PAD - Parts Lists - Illustrated Parts Lists - diagrams

apps.kubotausa.com

 

[Pete Puma]

I doubt you can physically mount a turf tire on your existing rims that are for ag tires. You may be able to get some tire that is not so aggressive as the R1 tires.

The turf tires are shown in the L245F parts list (link below). The rears but not front are shown in the L245DT section so if the rear sizes match then I ASSUME (which may be wrong to do) the fronts are probably the same size.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Illustrated Parts List

- K-PAD - Parts Lists - Illustrated Parts Lists - diagrams

apps.kubotausa.com

The op manual shows the L245F fronts as 5.00-15 and the L245DT's as 7-16. The mysterious L245T is shown as 20x8.00-10. I'm not exactly sure how to read that last one. 20" width, 8" sidewall, 10" rim?

 

[Bee-Positive]

I've been wrong before but that never stopped me from trying, so here's a thought...

You may already know this but I believe you must maintain the same ratio in tire size front-to-back or risk damaging your 4WD. Turf tires have are shorter (total height/diameter) than R1's. If you put a different height tire on the back you must put a different height tire on the front to maintain the same ratio as the originals.

 

[Pete Puma]

I've been wrong before but that never stopped me from trying, so here's a thought...

You may already know this but I believe you must maintain the same ratio in tire size front-to-back or risk damaging your 4WD. Turf tires have are shorter (total height/diameter) than R1's. If you put a different height tire on the back you must put a different height tire on the front to maintain the same ratio as the originals.

Yeah, that's one of the reason why I'm trying to make sure I understand these tire sizes in the op manual, but it's weird how they use one spec system for the DT and F variants, then use that system for the rears on the T but another for the fronts.

There does seem to be a Carlisle branded R3 turf tire that would fit but it's out of stock on most sites and pricey on others. Now I'm wondering if splitting the difference and getting R4s would be cheaper, easier, and enough of a change. I'm learning a lot about tractor tires, that's for sure.

 

[Bee-Positive]

While you're doing the brake assembly you might as well get a new Brake Plate (8) and a couple new snap rings (6) just because.

You've probably researched tires more than I have but I found this video from Good Works Tractor semi-informative. Not sure if some tread patterns are more available in your sizes than others...maybe.

Good Works Tractors

 

[Bee-Positive]

P.S.
Others on OTT have had good results (less cost) ordering a full set (rims and tires) from a Kubota dealer through Whole Goods (sales department) instead of the Parts Department. That way you just switch them out as needed instead of remounting tires.

 

[Russell King]

You might call this salvage yard near San Francisco. They have a lot of salvage parts from the L-series tractors. They can probably sell you the turf rims from a L245 and may be able to explain the tire sizes. For sure a tire company like Miller Tire can tell you if they can provide you with the tires and rims.

Edit: added photo

 

[Pete Puma]

While you're doing the brake assembly you might as well get a new Brake Plate (8) and a couple new snap rings (6) just because.

You've probably researched tires more than I have but I found this video from Good Works Tractor semi-informative. Not sure if some tread patterns are more available in your sizes than others...maybe.

Good Works Tractors

Yeah, I'd rather replace things that don't need replacing than get it open and discover I need more things. Thanks.

I'll check out the video. At this point I feel like I'm just confusing myself with all the tabs I've got open and need to take a break.

 

[Pete Puma]

P.S.
Others on OTT have had good results (less cost) ordering a full set (rims and tires) from a Kubota dealer through Whole Goods (sales department) instead of the Parts Department. That way you just switch them out as needed instead of remounting tires.

I'm not quite sure how that works but it sounds worth looking into!

 

[Bee-Positive]

I'll check out the video. At this point I feel like I'm just confusing myself with all the tabs I've got open and need to take a break.
[/QUOTE]

Yup - Analysis Paralysis - you fit right in here.

 

[Pete Puma]

Yup - Analysis Paralysis - you fit right in here.

You ain't seen nuthin' yet. Just wait until I mosey over to the attachments forum and start talking about my backhoe thoughts.