puncture resistance of ag vs ind tires

[Gary Fowler]

Folks always tell of better puncture resistance of R4 vs R1, BUT, the only flat tire I have had on my tractors is on my R4 tires. Never had a flat on my R1 tires. I think that is because it has much taller tread so thorns, etc. have to penetrate much more rubber to get thru the tread. OF course if something hits in between the tire treads, it will be a bit thicker with the R4.
I would rather recommend the R4 for better wear resistance on hard surfaces than for puncture resistance. An R4 has much more rubber contact surface than an R1 which is the main reason for using them on industrial application.

BIG CON: R4's only have a little more traction than a turf tire in mud, so if you plan to use your tractor for ground engagement activities or in muddy contact, stick with R1 tires.

Note: R4 tires have a sexier look on a tractor than R1 (if you are into that sort of thing)

 

[Oldoak]

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The idea of chains.. ugh.. I will pass for sure on those.

That is exactly what a friend of mine said who also went with R4s. A year later he was asking be as to what chains would be best for him.

I think R4s and chains make a great combination for someone who doesn't want R1s.

 

[LouNY]

If I wasn't using R1s I think my next choice would be a turf and chains when needed.
I have put enough chains on that they aren't that bad to do on 28" to 42" rims.
I would just as soon put my tractor chains on as my plow truck chains.

 

[Diggin It]

Y'all got me to wondering. I don't get a lot of snow compared to others, but I get enough at times to be a problem in the yard due to my hills. I never worry about plowing since I never have to go anywhere and can wait for it to melt in a few days. But I might have to move a load of firewood up to the house. Now I'm wondering if I'll be able to do that with R4s, even in 4WD.

 

[LouNY]

No idea of your location but if you get wet heavy snow, once you drive on it,it packs down and will be slick.
One problem I have at times is if the ground is not froze hard under the snow once it gets snow covered the frost will come out and your on mud under the snow, :banghead: so between tearing up the yard, spinning and chewing possibly getting stuck winter is not my favorite season.
That said I'm usually fairly well equipped for it.

 

[Diggin It]

Layers from the top down, snow, packed snow/ice, grass, mud would be more common than not. Ground rarely freezes more than a couple of inches.

What I'm gathering here is than I will have little, if any traction on a hill with R4s?

 

[LouNY]

My opinion for what it's worth is that no tire gives much traction in those situations, I have not used any tractors under 50 hp in the winter and even 250 hp and 20,000#'s on R1 radials once the snow packs and a tire spins your are not likely to have a good day.

 

[Soundguy]

The debate continues

 

[ovrszd]

Y'all got me to wondering. I don't get a lot of snow compared to others, but I get enough at times to be a problem in the yard due to my hills. I never worry about plowing since I never have to go anywhere and can wait for it to melt in a few days. But I might have to move a load of firewood up to the house. Now I'm wondering if I'll be able to do that with R4s, even in 4WD.

I push significant snow with my JD2210 and 64" front blade, R4 tires, no chains.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

When I bought my tractor, I was mainly mowing, uprooting cedar trees and using the grapple to stack them in burn piles. So I got R4 tires.

Now I'm doing a lot more tillage and ground engaging work, and I wish I had R1's for the increased traction. My next tractor will have R1's for sure.