Snow Equipment Owning/Operating R4's and snow don't mix

[Diamondpilot]

R4's and snow don't mix...Total BS

I say this knowing full well I'll ruffle a few feathers, but so be it.

If you find R4's to be worthless in snow then.
1.) Your tractor is not up to the task.
2.) You have not weighted your tractor and/or have the weight distribution balanced incorrectly.
3.) Your operating skills are not up to par, it takes a lot of seat time to get proficient at operating in marginal conditions. I've got 20,000+ hours experience running all kinds of eguipment.
4.) Any combination of the above.

R1's do have there place (Ag applications, deep mud etc.) but in my experience there is not that big a difference between R1's and R4's in snow, and yes I have used both types in the past. I'm just tired of R4's being labeled as junk.

OK, I've donned my flame retardant suit. Flame away

I believe every situation is different but for the most part R1's out perform R4's on like tractors in the snow. You have plenty of weight on that tractor, your area of the country gets a dry type snow where as us who get lake effect snow get more moisture, and you are on a fairly flat area.

Chris

 

[Builder]

R4's and snow don't mix...Total BS

I say this knowing full well I'll ruffle a few feathers, but so be it.

If you find R4's to be worthless in snow then.
1.) Your tractor is not up to the task.
2.) You have not weighted your tractor and/or have the weight distribution balanced incorrectly.
3.) Your operating skills are not up to par, it takes a lot of seat time to get proficient at operating in marginal conditions. I've got 20,000+ hours experience running all kinds of eguipment.
4.) Any combination of the above.

R1's do have there place (Ag applications, deep mud etc.) but in my experience there is not that big a difference between R1's and R4's in snow, and yes I have used both types in the past. I'm just tired of R4's being labeled as junk.

OK, I've donned my flame retardant suit. Flame away

You're right, but what do we know.

I wonder hw we got by all these years plowing with R-4's.

 

[djradz]

R4's and snow don't mix...Total BS

I'm just tired of R4's being labeled as junk.

Junk, Junk, Junk!!!

 

[SPYDERLK]

R4's and snow don't mix...Total BS I'm just tired of R4's being labeled as junk.

OK, I've donned my flame retardant suit. Flame away

R4 - Best at Running over Rocks, Rubble, & Refuse
larry

 

[gerard]

Guess it all depends on the particular situation but to say R4's, given the same specs re: weight, tractor size, ballasting etc, have the same traction in loose material as R1's just isn't logical. On an asphalt surface I would say R4's probably have better traction since more rubber is in contact with the surface. In muddy, loose material like snow, R1's are going to have more traction. R1's will also resist sideslip better on hills because the tread lugs are more perpendicular to sidways travel than the R4 lugs. That said everything is in degree's. Doesn't mean you can't plow with R4's. Same with R1's vs chains. You can get by with just R1's but that's NOT as good as chains on the rear and THAT's not as good as chains on the rear AND front. Get a good set of chains on turf tires and you'll also have some pretty good traction in snow. Really isn't a matter of opinion - more a matter of physics and coefficient of friction. More friction means more traction - period.

I started plowing snow in Syracuse, NY with R1's and unloaded tires. Somewhat hilly and tight when going down to the pastures. We average 120 inches a year (which is what we have so far this year) so I plow pretty regularly. I got by but wanted more traction. Got chains on the rear and got by that way for several years. Last year I got the tires loaded with rim guard. Much improved traction. Should have done it on day 1. Still wanted more traction when in deep snow down in the pastures so I just got two link spacing ladder chains for the front. Again a very noticable improvement in traction and now when moving snow with the bucket, I can actually steer. Bottom line is they make different tires because people have different conditions and different needs. Find one that matches the majority of your needs.

 

[meanstreak]

had the same problem, i bought 2 link v bar chains for the rear, i cant tell i even have chains on except for the fact no more slippen n sliden

 

[Conservation]

It's funny that some are so offended that others do not like the R4's in the snow. But the folks that disagree are not allowed to believe what they have experienced. No one is tellling you that you are wrong (with all your experience and all). Their experience is just different. You say that the R4's are fine, IF this and this and this. Maybe all the this's don't work for others. Maybe weighting the tires isn't the best option for them. Maybe they don't have your experience. (and if it takes more experience to use the r4's in the snow, what does that tell you) And maybe they can't justify a much larger tractor for what they use it for.

 

[Egon]

Anybody tried Klister on their tires for increased traction?

 

[Dominique01149]

Its my first winter running R4, and they are great on packed snow, and where the snow has been removed. For snowblowing and plowing when you can clean to the hard surface, and where the R4's can clamp on the new cleaned surface, they are great. For deep snow though, R1's are better. The R1 are just able to dig better in the snow crust for deep snow. This being said, I drove the R4 in as much snow as the R1 and did not get stuck, but it did spin more to do the same job.

For comparison, I have a Kubota L5740 with 2 wheel weights per rear wheel a FEL and a snowblower on the 3pt hitch with R4 tires. I used to operate a JD 1070 with loaded R1 tires and a snowblower on the 3pt hitch.

 

[marquis]

I have R4's on my JD, no problems, but relatively flat surface. Chains are great, but they can tear up a tire pretty good if you don't pay attention to them over time. As for the type, I'd go with a continuous chain, one that is always in contact with the ground, like we use on our skidders in the woods here for logging. Just be careful on a paved yard, can tear it up, and dull the 'dawgs' on the chain pretty quick.