Tires traditional ag vs. industrial tread

Lefty7 · Feb 8, 2012

Have been kicking around the choice of tire tread for a compact 4WD, (yet to be bought).

I have large equipment on the property all the time. Under certain conditions, the conventional agricultural tire ribs can really imprint or rip up the ground surface. Doesn't matter much around the hay fields, but it can be a problem on lawn or turf areas near the house. In that case, it can compromise walking or even mowing.

I HATE giving up any traction, but am considering pros and cons of the industrial tread: more ribs and edges, not as deep. The tractor may not spend too much time yanking on open soil - but some. Wonder how the industrials would work - and WEAR - subjected to regular tilling and some small-scale plow/disc use.

Obviously, I'm trolling for opinions, and would appreciate your comments.

greenrider1 · Feb 8, 2012

I've had tractors with both R1's and R4's. I prefer the R4's for the majority of my work. Unless you use the tractor in wet mud or clay conditions, the R4's have good traction. They do tend to load up if you get in the wet stuff. If you do much loader work, the R4's are more stable and will hold more weight due to the stiffer side walls. They do wear better and seem more cut and punture resistant than the R1's. They also don't sink in as bad on wet ground, and they don't damage turf nearly as bad as R1's. I mowed my lawn with my L3710 (now sold) with R4's, and I plan on doing the same with my new L5740. If you are going to use the tractor for mainly field work, the R1's probably would be better. The R1's also seem to ride a little better, probably due to the slightly taller diameter and less stiff side walls. There are trade-offs for each, and you will probably get different opinions on which way to go. For what it's worth, probably 75% of the sub compacts are sold with R4's. The larger M series all I ever see are R1's.

JOHNTHOMAS · Feb 8, 2012

greenrider1 said:
I've had tractors with both R1's and R4's. I prefer the R4's for the majority of my work. Unless you use the tractor in wet mud or clay conditions, the R4's have good traction. They do tend to load up if you get in the wet stuff. If you do much loader work, the R4's are more stable and will hold more weight due to the stiffer side walls. They do wear better and seem more cut and punture resistant than the R1's. They also don't sink in as bad on wet ground, and they don't damage turf nearly as bad as R1's. I mowed my lawn with my L3710 (now sold) with R4's, and I plan on doing the same with my new L5740. If you are going to use the tractor for mainly field work, the R1's probably would be better. The R1's also seem to ride a little better, probably due to the slightly taller diameter and less stiff side walls. There are trade-offs for each, and you will probably get different opinions on which way to go. For what it's worth, probably 75% of the sub compacts are sold with R4's. The larger M series all I ever see are R1's.

This pretty well says it all.
I've had several with Turfs and R4s and currently have my first set of R1s. The R4s or Industrials are the best all around in my opinion but I'm not a mud user.

kuboman · Feb 8, 2012

I am in the process of switching my R4's for R1's. No doubt the r4 are tougher and last longer and don't tear up the turf but if you have soft dirt or snow like me the r4's are next to useless.

RFB · Feb 8, 2012

Kuboman iterated my experience as well.

Snow, slush, (ice is always chains regardless of type), mud, soft soil.

Tried R4's mediocre at best; R1's much better for the above duties.

I did choose a Michelin R1W type for the fronts...it gives R4 sidewall load ratings (for FEL work) with R1 traction.

MMagis · Feb 8, 2012

If you do a search you’ll find a weeks worth of reading on the subject. Everyone seems to have their favorite for their usage.

TripleR · Feb 8, 2012

What MMagis, said Greenrider1 pretty well summed up what I would say and we have tractors with both.

The guys that farm our land use 7000 and 8000 Series John Deere tractors, but their JD CUT 4610 has Industrials.

LD1 · Feb 8, 2012

MMagis said:
If you do a search you値l find a weeks worth of reading on the subject. Everyone seems to have their favorite for their usage.

x3:thumbsup:

Lefty7 · Feb 9, 2012

Hey, this is great! There's nothing like experience-based opinions. Hi again, TripleR and hello MMagis and LD1: I knew when I started this thread that it might be a mini-Pandora's box - but that's just what I need, and figured that it's what forums are for. (But we're not using live ammo, right?)

I'm no stranger to the tire/traction study, and have been pushing snow around with various 4X4 trucks for 35 years. (Did it professionally for 15 years; now, just keep the farm open and help out some of the neighbors when they need it.) But all of those tire/chain selections were for light trucks. The 4X4 tractor may have some similarities, but is a different beast. Although the trucks served me well, regardless of how they were equipped, a truck ain't no tractor, (as I've said to myself 3000 times).

Hello, Greenrider1. I'm a little to your southwest, and lived in your fair town for awhile years ago. Congrats on having a new L5740; nice. I AM concerned about mud load-up. This time of year, I'm involved in firewood processing from (previously cut) trees, messing with the logs, and delivering the result to this big old farmhouse. Some winters, the ground firms up and stays that way - but not this year, so far. (Also, I would have expected the R4s to give the slightly better ride - not that that is a real big concern - but I was considering only the tread cleats, not the sidewalls.) So I guess, JOHNTHOMAS, like it or not, I would be something of a mud user.

Recently found myself lying in the mud under an old Dodge, putting on chains so I could drive the wood load out - again. I've had these conditions before: I get out early for some splitting and get a good load on, and in those few hours, the firm surface thaws, and it's Titanic without the iceberg. Obviously, I won't be happy if I have a mud problem with the tractor, so I take comments by kuboman and RFB quite seriously. (Interesting about the R1W type on the front.)

Thank you for your input. Would be happy to hear more on the subject.