Anybody like their R4 tires in snow

[glc24]

to answer the question that started this thread...I would not know how my 3720 with r4s does in the snow because I could not get it out of my shop in the back due to the snow.

I thought a guy with a 2520 started this thread!

Greg

 

[LostInTheWoods]

None of my tractors plowed snow well with R4's. I live in Western NC and the snow we get here tends to be heavy and wet with a glaze underneath... I have been disappointed in the snow performance of R4's on now all three sizes of JD compacts (2000,3000,4000 series). My situation is unique and some observations which might help:

1. R4's do not do well on heavy wet snow with a glaze underneath...

2. R4's on snow likely do better unballasted...

4. Hills make a huge difference. My performance on my property because it is so steep is likely not as good as flat or rolling hills...

Just the opposite experience here. Last year we had a couple of decent snows around the 8" mark. I specifically remember one being of the heavy and wet variety and with the "glaze" underneath.

My BX2660 with loaded R-4's had little trouble moving snow with the FEL over the long, hilly gravel drive. I was pleasantly surprised, as this was the first time I'd moved snow with a tractor. Could be the gravel drive helped? Maybe traction would suffer more on blacktop or concrete (although no problems here moving snow off the level concrete pad outside the garage)?

That being said, I could not push snow around indiscriminately. If I tried to push too much while going uphill, I'd spin. I had to attack large amounts of heavy snow from uphill and moving downward.

 

[jcmseven]

Certainly possible we could have differing experiences here. I would say that on my drive, which approaches a 25% gradient in one spot and averages 12% over most of its length, I have had a challenging time even getting up it to plow down. There is no way any of my machines could have plowed up it. I have tried it all, ballasted, unballasted, bucket, blade, etc., without substantial improvement in any circumstance. My tractors would plow decent when flat, but we do not have much flat around here. The other safety issue I have here is that these tires slide also and when they do they let go quickly and without much warning. These tractors are heavy and they tend to not want to slow or stop when sliding. I have slid each one of my machines over the years to the bottom of my drive and that is not fun. Thankfully no equipment damage or personal injury, but these occurrences caused me to get a plow for my Gator and use it as my plowing machine. It is faster and does better anyway. My opinion is that the R4 tires are simply too hard to get good traction in snow. They have absolutely no give in the sidewall or tread. This is compounded when they are liquid ballasted and it's cold. As one responder mentioned a snow-specific tread compound or more malleable tire for winter may be a better option given the weight of these machines. The best tractor I ever had for plowing was my little X series 595. It would plow and climb anything without chains and was an awesome little snow mover. It had the HDAP tires on it (also known as 'peanut' tires) and man, what a machine. It made all the big machines seem pitiful by comparison. I probably would have kept it but it would not power a loader very well given its limited hydraulics and thusly was not a good tractor for my then overall needs.

John M

 

[Deadman]

Moral of story........You will be Just fine is small the medium snowfalls, but large heavy snows will make it miserable for you. With the few times you get those big storms, I would suggest to just let the R4's on and try them. You will likely be able to get by, as i do, but it will just be some screwing around.

My R4's will sit and spin on top of the packed snow, so they never get traction. A R1 would rip thru the packed snow and get traction on the dirt below.

Just try the R4;s and see how they do for your needs. If you aren't in the Snowbelt then don't worry about it.

 

[revitupfaster]

Well I'm not all that worried, my driveway and parking area in front of the house are both pretty much flat. If I have to play around a bit to get the job done, who cares, plowing is kinda fun as long as it's not -20 degrees.

Previously, I plowed with an X495 2 wheel drive, with chains, and the front hitch setup. Worked good except with the machine being fairly light, the snow sometimes would push the front end around when the blade was angled. As long as I get at least as good performance with the 2520 I'm happy. I just didn't want to have to install those #@&# chains every year.

From the posts here, I don't think I will have much problem. I don't expect the thing to be an absolute bulldozer in snow, and I think a lot of folks here have some pretty severe grades, which sounds to me would be a problem for almost anything short of a bulldozer.

Like the fellow that has a 25% grade. WOW thats like climbing a wall, thats like an 8' rise in a little over 30'....thats some hill....I sure don't have anything like that to contend with.

REV

 

[chickenman]

snow is not too bad, ice sucks though

 

[glc24]

Hey Rev,
I posted earlier,that chains are a definite with R4s.Maybe I was a bit to hasty with that. Although I bought them to use this year,I made it through my first winter without them,and I broke my brand new 2520 in with a 2 foot snowfall. Granted, I was using the loader,but 2 feet is 2 feet,no matter what you're "plowing" with. I did manage to get'er stuck 3 times that day,but all 3 times were my fault,pretty much due to not knowing the capabilities of my equipment that well.
I have a short but very steep driveway down to the garage,that drifts to boot,and our lane is 3/10 of a mile with open farm field for about 100 yards that is a nightmare when it drifts. So, thinking back to that day, I have to give that machine a huge:thumbsup: for performance.

This year,I have my newly "kitbashed" front blade,and I put the chains on right off. Haven't used it yet,but I'm certain to get the opportunity to compare from last winter.

Greg

 

[bennatti]

I have R4's on my 3320...use it in the winter with the FEL, snowblower and rear grader blade...have installed MaxiGrip Studs both front and rear to help with icy conditions. My driveway does have a slope and they do quite well....not as well as my Canadian Chains on my previous tractor (JD 850)...but that would be expected to be the case

 

[scesnick]

I live up a 2.5 mile driveway that winds up over a mountain. I am responsible for clearing all 2.5 miles everytime it snows. And it snows ALOT where I live ( 22ft. last year) Believe me, I have PLENTY of seat time clearing snow.

I bought a brand new Kubota MX5100 last winter and it came with R-4's ( I wanted Ag's)
The R-4 's were absolutely terrible in the snow. They were so bad I called the dealer and asked how much it would cost me to trade up for some Ag's. He actually traded me at no cost. ( Messicks is a great dealer )
Today we have about 16" of snow and I plowed with the Ag's and they are head and shoulders above the R-4's ...

 

[LostInTheWoods]

Here's a couple of pics to give you an idea of the driveway I plowed last year. This is the hilliest section of the drive. Sorry, no snow pics...didn't think to take them at the time.