R1 versus R4

[Builder]

Your position on this issue is losing traction, so to speak.

Amusing to read someone who's only experience is on an oversized lawn tractor with turf tires tell another person with 20+ years & ~20,000 hours on backhoes, CUTs, farm tractors, with R-4's and R-1's make comments that.

No offense bud, but "moderator" or not, seat time and experience on R-4's & R-1's on the jobsite and farm trumps the title of "moderator" with a small tractor on turf tires anytime.

I wouldn't tell you how best to equip a small tractor, so don't tell me what's best for mine until you can bring some seat time to the table.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm addressing an observation you are making. Makes no difference who you quoted.

Well, you said maybe I forgot to read something, and I had not forgotten to read it. You were replying directly to me, so it makes a difference who you quoted. Another case of operator error?

 

[Builder]

Well, you said maybe I forgot to read something, and I had not forgotten to read it. You were replying directly to me, so it makes a difference who you quoted. Another case of operator error?

Nope, but it sounds like you having a case of fighting a losing battle.

People who know tractors and have experience know different jobs call for different tires. R-1's aren't the best tire for everything.....I know it, Dmace knows it, and Johndeere3720 and Deere 755 know it, too. You should know it because you have turf tires on your little tractor because R-1's would rip up your lawn. R-4's are a fine tire for all purpose work and with experience can get the job done in mud.

Let it go.

 

[harpoonalt]

Not to fan the flames, but operator experience does help. I've seen a logger next to me do some amazing things with a midsized ford tractor. Stuff I wouldn't have thought could be done. When you spend hours on a piece of equipment in all sorts of conditions, you learn the limits and capabilities of your equipment. It's amazing to watch. Skill can make up for mediocre tires and tires can make up for mediocre skill. It's tractors, not brain surgery! There is a lot of gray area but no ones going to die with the wrong tire

 

[MossRoad]

Nope, but it sounds like you having a case of fighting a losing battle.

People who know tractors and have experience know different jobs call for different tires. R-1's aren't the best tire for everything.....I know it, Dmace knows it, and Johndeere3720 and Deere 755 know it, too. You should know it because you have turf tires on your little tractor because R-1's would rip up your lawn. R-4's are a fine tire for all purpose work and with experience can get the job done in mud.

Let it go.

I already agreed with you on all the points regarding the value of all the tire types.... several times in fact. Why don't you just admit it that I agree with you on those points?

And then you can agree with me that R4s did not work on my tractor in my soil type.

Then everything would be hunky dory.

 

[MossRoad]

Not to fan the flames, but operator experience does help. I've seen a logger next to me do some amazing things with a midsized ford tractor. Stuff I wouldn't have thought could be done. When you spend hours on a piece of equipment in all sorts of conditions, you learn the limits and capabilities of your equipment. It's amazing to watch. Skill can make up for mediocre tires and tires can make up for mediocre skill. It's tractors, not brain surgery! There is a lot of gray area but no ones going to die with the wrong tire

Well said.

 

[Builder]

Not to fan the flames, but operator experience does help. I've seen a logger next to me do some amazing things with a midsized ford tractor. Stuff I wouldn't have thought could be done. When you spend hours on a piece of equipment in all sorts of conditions, you learn the limits and capabilities of your equipment. It's amazing to watch. Skill can make up for mediocre tires and tires can make up for mediocre skill. It's tractors, not brain surgery! There is a lot of gray area but no ones going to die with the wrong tire

I agree.

 

[coobie]

IMHO,R-1,s for deep mud,snow & field work.R-4,s for everything else.coobie.

 

[8404]

So give me your OPINION on the best tire for a fourwheel drive used only for bush hogging, no loader, and used on hillsides.?? I currently have R4 but they are getting worn out. So it time to decide if R1 can give me better or worse traction when moweing. Muddy ditches, wet hill sides ect.???

 

[johnk]

So give me your OPINION on the best tire for a fourwheel drive used only for bush hogging, no loader, and used on hillsides.?? I currently have R4 but they are getting worn out. So it time to decide if R1 can give me better or worse traction when moweing. Muddy ditches, wet hill sides ect.???

Go with R-1's for those conditions. Better forward traction and less sideslip. You're not driving them down the paved roads so r-1's would be the ticket. Again Just MY opinion.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

So give me your OPINION on the best tire for a fourwheel drive used only for bush hogging, no loader, and used on hillsides.?? I currently have R4 but they are getting worn out. So it time to decide if R1 can give me better or worse traction when moweing. Muddy ditches, wet hill sides ect.???

I think that if you decide that you want R1s, you will need to buy new rims for your new R1 tires. Typically R1 and R4 tires do not use the same size -type rims.

 

[Dargo]

I think that if you decide that you want R1s, you will need to buy new rims for your new R1 tires. Typically R1 and R4 tires do not use the same size -type rims.

Correct. I have both R1 and R4 tires for my JD5525 tractor. I even think I asked on here a couple of years ago about where to find rims since they were crazy expensive at the dealership. I don't recall if it was here or somewhere else, but someone suggested Hey Equipment to me and I went to their Hey Wheel Hey Wheel Home site and called them. They were some of the nicest, down home people with the best prices anywhere. I bought the correct rim sizes for R4's from them and some factory blems (the DOT notice printed on the side of the tire wasn't entirely legible) from another place. All told, I was several hundred less than just the rims only, from the JD dealer, for a new set of rims and R4 tires.

Running in a wide variety of areas, I have a set of loaded R1 tires and a non-loaded set of R4 wheels and tires for that tractor. I probably have about 200 hours on each set now. My only difficulty is that the loaded R1 tires are a bit to handle. I cheat and use a forklift to put them on a pallet and up on the shelf when I'm not using them.

As a matter of fact, here's a picture of a JD5525 with R4 tires on it that I just took with my phone last night in my barn. I'm sure you've all seen JD 5525 tractors with R1's on them since that's the only way I've ever seen them on a dealer's lot.

 

[Builder]

So give me your OPINION on the best tire for a fourwheel drive used only for bush hogging, no loader, and used on hillsides.?? I currently have R4 but they are getting worn out. So it time to decide if R1 can give me better or worse traction when moweing. Muddy ditches, wet hill sides ect.???

The answer is simple. It looks like you've been doing your mowing with R-4's. If they have been working, then buy another set of R-4's. If they haven't, then go to R-1's. Do you have ballast in your tires?

BTW: Those tires are no where near worn out!

 

[lungdoc]

The loggers in our area have an R4-type tire on their skidders but use them always with chains. If brush hogging in off road/rougher areas may be an option that's cheaper than new tires and maintain R4 toughness advantage (which for brush hogging can be an advantage with sharp cut off small trees, sharp rocks, debris etc.)

 

[Elevation 8200]

FYI - Here's tip 13 from Union, ME
Union Farm Equipment - Tips

There are three main types of tires on tractors today, Agricultural, Turf, and Industrial (R4). Each of these types of tires has specific applications. While tread designs vary between manufacturers the basic purpose of each tire design is the same.
Agricultural (AG) tires are the traditional tractor tires. The AG tire is tall and narrow with deep cleats, designed for maximum traction; pulling plows in a field, working in the woods and operating in muddy conditions. These tires can damage a lawn or field.

The turf tire is designed to minimize damage to a lawn. These tires are short and wide. Typically turf tires have soft sidewalls and non-aggressive tread. On a four wheel drive tractor these tires perform well year round for many homeowners.

The industrial tire was designed for loader work. They tend to be a wide tire with a stiff sidewall. The R4 is not as aggressive as an AG tire, but has substantially more traction than a turf tire. Many customers find R4's work well mowing lawns because they spin less than a turf tire.

Which tire is right for your tractor is a matter of personal choice based upon your needs. However, if our sales are any indication the R4 is the tire of choice for most people.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Go with R-1's for those conditions. Better forward traction and less sideslip. You're not driving them down the paved roads so r-1's would be the ticket. Again Just MY opinion.

Big problem is you may have to change the rims. Many tractors use different rims for different tire types.

Chris

 

[harpoonalt]

That's a pretty Bad A** looking tractor! Put some monster truck tires on it, a lift kit and mow EVERYTHING down. I didn't know CC made something that big...

 

[DieselnHooters]

That's a pretty Bad A** looking tractor! Put some monster truck tires on it, a lift kit and mow EVERYTHING down. I didn't know CC made something that big...

The largest Cub Cadet I had seen so far was sitting at a Case dealership, it had FEL and BH, about the size of a Kubota L3400...but this here one is huge, the size of a utility...it looks great.

The tires in the pic look like they have some life left in them but I understand they havent grown cleats in the nearly 3 years since that shot was taken.

 

[Ken45101]

Well, it's been an interesting and enlightning discussion, despite some of the individual comments.

I have a Kubota M5040 (50 hp) with Kubota loader and R1 tires. When I get a full bucket of dirt or gravel, the front tires really squat bad, to the point of worrying me. I've wondered if the dealer should have put stiffer tires on the front with the loader. They way the fronts squat down, I certainly do not feel that the tires are matched to the loader capability.

I have not noticed any "rough ride" with the tires on concrete.

I have an old B21 TLB that has R-4s on it. Those lugs certainly get filled up with mud when working in wet clay.

Ken

 

[Diamondpilot]

I second the no rough ride on R1's. Now maybe I know no better because the only tires I have are R1's. I have test drove and used many R4's equipped tractors and noticed no real difference.

Its kind of like owning a 1 ton truck then complaining about the ride. Its a tractor, man up! Its not going to ride like a Caddy.

Chris