R4 Tire wear?

iplumb · Dec 19, 2009

I have noticed some tire wear on the outside edges or me R4s on the front of my tractor 27hrs. Is this normal? Just checking to see if I should add or remove air? What PSI do you guys run? Thanks...

Diamondpilot · Dec 19, 2009

iplumb said:
I have noticed some tire wear on the outside edges or me R4s on the front of my tractor 27hrs. Is this normal? Just checking to see if I should add or remove air? What PSI do you guys run? Thanks...

What tractor???? I am guessing the Kubota. Just follow your manuals recommendation.

My guess is that your toe in is not set properly. Make your dealer adjust it to spec. On my tractor its -.25" to -.50" on the front of the tire versus the rear of the tire.

Chris

brandoro · Dec 19, 2009

iplumb said:
I have noticed some tire wear on the outside edges or me R4s on the front of my tractor 27hrs. Is this normal? Just checking to see if I should add or remove air? What PSI do you guys run? Thanks...

If you can see wear at 27 hours something is wrong. If wear is on both outside edges then most likely your inflation pressure is way too low. If you have a FEL then best is to run the front tires at or near maximum inflation listed on the tire sidewall. Easier on tires and easier steering too with a full bucket. Also, if you have a FEL you should have something heavy on the 3pt hitch to help take a bit of weight off the front axle and give the rear tires more traction.
Just checked your info, you do have a FEL so run your front tire inflation at the maximum listed on the tire sidewall and put the heaviest thing you have on the 3pt. If you use the FEL a lot buy or build a heavy counterweight for the 3pt.

iplumb · Dec 19, 2009

brandoro said:
If you can see wear at 27 hours something is wrong. If wear is on both outside edges then most likely your inflation pressure is way too low. If you have a FEL then best is to run the front tires at or near maximum inflation listed on the tire sidewall. Easier on tires and easier steering too with a full bucket. Also, if you have a FEL you should have something heavy on the 3pt hitch to help take a bit of weight off the front axle and give the rear tires more traction.
Just checked your info, you do have a FEL so run your front tire inflation at the maximum listed on the tire sidewall and put the heaviest thing you have on the 3pt. If you use the FEL a lot buy or build a heavy counterweight for the 3pt.

I think you have helped me. When I got the Tractor the tires where cutting into my lawn when I turned. So I let some air out to make them a little easier on turf. I just finished spreading 12 yards of lime stone. I use a box blade for ballast. Thanks

iplumb · Dec 19, 2009

Yep just checked. I only had 20 PSI in them. They say max PSI of 35

I think its also the cold weather. Glad I caught this. Thanks again.

brandoro · Dec 19, 2009

iplumb said:
I think you have helped me. When I got the Tractor the tires where cutting into my lawn when I turned. So I let some air out to make them a little easier on turf. I just finished spreading 12 yards of lime stone. I use a box blade for ballast. Thanks

I've always had turfs so don't know a lot about R4s but, wear on the outer edges of any tire points to low inflation pressure.
I have a 4 cu. ft. ballast box from Kubota that I filled with scrap steel and concrete with a chain box on top, I figure it is between 800-900 lbs, for me that's the answer for FEL work. The weight is low and compact so you don't have to watch so close when working in tight quarters and keeps enough weight on the rear axle to really put the power to the ground. Of course if you are using the FEL and box blade together for a project then that is a good solution too.