Tires Turf tires v standard tractor ties

[joshuabardwell]

The "right" tire depends on exactly what you want to do with your tractor, and you can find people who swear by every different type. I seldom need very aggressive pulling, but I want to know I've got a little "oomph" if it comes to that, so I went with R4's. I would say that, unless you for-sure know you will be doing pulling-heavy tasks (skidding heavy logs, deep plowing or disking, that kind of thing) I don't see much of a case for R1's. And unless you really need to protect a lawn-type environment, I don't see much of a case for R3's. But that's just me.

 

[DKCDKC]

My experience has been that if your tractor does not go on a lawn or pavement much, ag or R1 tires are best. They can dig in the mud, but turf tires can fill the tread and spin in mud. I like the additional traction in the field, and in snow. Ag tires self clean better than other tires . Just my opinion. The fact that they're also significantly cheaper is a plus too.

 

[SSdoxie]

If you want the addtional traction of R1s but plan on some heavy loader work, make sure the fronts are at least 8 ply rating.

 

[LD1]

R4's and turfs are about the same $$$, but ags are considerabally cheaper. When I purchased, the ags were standard and the turfs and R-4's were about a $500 upgrade.

So if you choose The R1 ags, your dealer better give YOU some money back or I'd be going elsewhere

 

[Mechanos]

If you want the addtional traction of R1s but plan on some heavy loader work, make sure the fronts are at least 8 ply rating.

The Operator's Manual for my loader actually recommends foam filling the fronts for heavy loader work. It's not for weight, it's for load support.

 

[msmud]

I'm with DKCDKC; R1s would be my choice if I did it all over again with my 3038e. All I do is bushhog, albeit up and down some pretty steep hills, and traction is still occasionally an issue with my R4s. Lower tire pressure has helped tremendously but Patty Loveless is right, it's no good when your tractor don't get no traction. Just doing a brief search on those 7-14 R1 fronts for the 3E series, I can't find an 8 ply R1 but Titan/Goodyear makes a 6 ply with 990# load rating, better than the 770# rating of the 4 ply supplied with the tractor. I don't know how intensive your loader work might be but the 6 ply tires should allow for up to 900# of a load in the loader before the total front tire capacity is exceeded, about 300 - 400# less for the 4 ply. R4 fronts give at least 200# more capacity than 6 ply R1s.

 

[joshuabardwell]

R4 fronts give at least 200# more capacity than 6 ply R1s.

You raise an interesting point. Could one sort of get the "best of both worlds" by going with R4 in the front, for the increased loader capacity, and R1 in the back, for the increased traction? This would still assume that one didn't have a lawn to protect.

 

[Mechanos]

You raise an interesting point. Could one sort of get the "best of both worlds" by going with R4 in the front, for the increased loader capacity, and R1 in the back, for the increased traction? This would still assume that one didn't have a lawn to protect.

Or you could fill the fronts with lightweight foam.

 

[murphy1244]

The most important thing is having 4WD on your compact tractor. Most can make a case for their current tire type. I have turf tires (R3s) on my compact and love them. Have used a 790 4WD and loader with R4's and it was nice too.

Consider how you will be using it as the others have said.

Dan where did you get that awesome dumpcart?

 

[joshuabardwell]

Or you could fill the fronts with lightweight foam.

FWIW, my tractor's manual says that the warranty will be voided if you put foam in the tires.