Putting the R1 vs R4 debate to rest?

[pmsmechanic]

I've taken a few nasty rides on R4s myself, they're like running completely bald Summer tires on a rear wheel drive car in a snowstorm.

Then it's no wonder that the guys with R4's are the ones that are ballasted to a higher weight than I would be comfortable with. I run just enough ballast to get the fel to behave. I don't need any more than that.

 

[The Fred]

Ballast and beetleskins don't mix lol.

I was talking to the Kioti dealer about the new R14s, he said they had them at the dealer meeting in January or whenever it was but they still aren't available.

I priced the new Nokians for a machine I was looking at and they aren't cheap, I think almost 4 grand.

 

[ptsg]

What about R1 radial tires? Better traction, better ride on and off road, wider tire also helping in stability.

About 90% of the tractors sold here, come with R1 Radials. From SCUTs to the big Ag boys.

And just make tractors looking very nice.

 

[Diggin It]

I have absolutely ZERO interest in appearance. I was hoping R4s would be less slick than turfs on my hills. They seem fine on dry ground or loose dirt. They're miserable on mud.

The purpose of them seems to be stiffness when lifting with the FEL or working the BH.

 

[ptsg]

As I said, they provide a lot more than just appearance. Appearance is just a bonus.


Here, the tractors are used hard in ground engagement tasks. From plows, to cultivators, to discs, to rippers. All kinds of stuff. So traction is a must and that's why R1 Radials are used so much. Another benefit is the ride on hard surfaces as we do road our tractors a lot.

 

[dnw64]

Here, the tractors are used hard in ground engagement tasks. From plows, to cultivators, to discs, to rippers. All kinds of stuff. So traction is a must and that's why R1 Radials are used so much. Another benefit is the ride on hard surfaces as we do road our tractors a lot.

Whenever I go to Europe (every 1-3 years) I am always impressed by the tractors they have there. For the most part, very much more efficient in design and/or mixed uses. My guess is that they are a lot more expensive. That's another thing that impresses me about much of Western Europe - people will go without until they can afford something that will last longer, work better or provide more enjoyment. Here in the US we tend to want it now, and never mind anything else.

 

[Agvg]

Whenever I go to Europe (every 1-3 years) I am always impressed by the tractors they have there. For the most part, very much more efficient in design and/or mixed uses. My guess is that they are a lot more expensive. That's another thing that impresses me about much of Western Europe - people will go without until they can afford something that will last longer, work better or provide more enjoyment. Here in the US we tend to want it now, and never mind anything else.

When it comes to cars and tractors I do believe customers in Europe are more open for innovation and are willing to pay for it, man power is usually very expensive so even small improvements in productivity is profitable so it's always a drive to improve.

And I might be wrong but it seems that the US is very sensitive for new technology that can fail, in Europe many will have the latest and greatest even if it breaks down and ends in the shop a few times, Japanese car and tractors brands sell well in the US, in Europe this very conservative approach that the Japanese do is not a winner in Europe, this is my thoughts and it maybe wrong so feel free to correct me.

 

[4570Man]

When it comes to cars and tractors I do believe customers in Europe are more open for innovation and are willing to pay for it, man power is usually very expensive so even small improvements in productivity is profitable so it's always a drive to improve.

And I might be wrong but it seems that the US is very sensitive for new technology that can fail, in Europe many will have the latest and greatest even if it breaks down and ends in the shop a few times, Japanese car and tractors brands sell well in the US, in Europe this very conservative approach that the Japanese do is not a winner in Europe, this is my thoughts and it maybe wrong so feel free to correct me.

I’ve never even been to Europe but I agree 100 percent. Americans are pretty close minded and don’t like change. “That’s the way we’ve always done it”. In our defense there’s a huge difference in land area so some machine choices don’t interchange good.

 

[RickB]

I have absolutely ZERO interest in appearance. I was hoping R4s would be less slick than turfs on my hills. They seem fine on dry ground or loose dirt. They're miserable on mud.

The purpose of them seems to be stiffness when lifting with the FEL or working the BH.

I have seen more than a couple tractor/fels over the years with turf rears and properly sized R4 fronts. Unlike R1s, there are many CUT front tire sizes that are common to R4 and R3 tread styles. Obviously R4s can be had with higher load ratings.

 

[ovrszd]

When it comes to cars and tractors I do believe customers in Europe are more open for innovation and are willing to pay for it, man power is usually very expensive so even small improvements in productivity is profitable so it's always a drive to improve.

And I might be wrong but it seems that the US is very sensitive for new technology that can fail, in Europe many will have the latest and greatest even if it breaks down and ends in the shop a few times, Japanese car and tractors brands sell well in the US, in Europe this very conservative approach that the Japanese do is not a winner in Europe, this is my thoughts and it maybe wrong so feel free to correct me.

Very well stated. My European experience is France, Germany and United Kingdom. European tractors have been advanced in regards to versatility ahead of American tractors for 30 years that I know of. I distinctly remember in 1987 seeing a farm tractor pulling a four wheel wagon going down the road at what appeared to be 30 mph!!!! And it had a license plate!!!! First time I saw a tractor equipped with a trailer light plug was in Germany!!!!