Sheffield Shield ladder leaders Queensland were reeling at 8-115 at tea on the opening day of their rain-affected clash against Tasmania at Bellerive on Friday.

Tigers captain George Bailey sent the Bulls in to bat on a green wicket and the visitors struggled to negotiate the seaming pitch, suffering a late-afternoon collapse.

Jackson Bird led the Tasmanian attack and relished in the dull and drizzly conditions, claiming 5-47 to take his Shield season tally to 30 wickets, while Luke Butterworth chimed in with a handy 2-36.

After being 2-13, Queensland recovered briefly through resistance from Joe Burns, who top-scored for the Bulls with 43, and Andrew Robinson who battled to 19.

Heavy drizzle disrupted play for two hours earlier in the day, but following the restart, the Tigers ripped through the Queensland top order.

Bird, Butterworth and Brendan Drew (1-14) removed five Bulls batsmen for just four runs during a devastating eight-over spell in the second session.

Tailenders Ben Cutting (17no) and Steve Magoffin (9no) have established a 26-run partnership as the Queenslanders attempt to hold out.