Best front tire for loader work?

[Morning Wood]

I’ve got a Ford 1720 with R1 tires. We seem to chew through the front tires
pretty quickly because we use the loader a lot. I like the traction of the R1, but wondering if a R4 or R14 will hold up better. Also, would I be able to put a different tire on the same wheel, or would I need new wheels too?
Thanks,
Nick.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

View attachment 777236View attachment 777235
I’ve got a Ford 1720 with R1 tires. We seem to chew through the front tires
pretty quickly because we use the loader a lot. I like the traction of the R1, but wondering if a R4 or R14 will hold up better. Also, would I be able to put a different tire on the same wheel, or would I need new wheels too?
Thanks,
Nick.

From past articles I've read R4 was the winner for weight carrying ability not sure how they compare to R14 I agree the larger lugs on R1 give the best traction.

 

[4570Man]

An R4 is a lot beefier tire and stands up to loader work a lot better. They’re wider and probably can’t use the same wheels though.

 

[Hoss710]

R4s are well proven. the 1s on both of my tractors are the same on my brother in laws skid steer. I'm hear good things about the R14s. but the price is almost double of the R4s from what I have seen so far.

 

[oldnslo]

What ply rating are those R1 tires. Going to heavier ply will help with load carrying.

 

[Thomas]

I tried turfs wasn't impress R4's heck of lot better.

 

[hayden]

R4 tires will have the highest load carrying capability, but traction sucks on anything other than hard packed surfaces. The factory R2 front tires on my Kubota L5740 would be nearly flattened with a full loader bucket, but I found a 8 ply version of the same factory 6 ply R1 tire, and it has made all the difference. BKT tires. Just make sure it's the 8 ply varient. You get the extra load capacity for loader work, but don't give up that great R1 traction.

 

[dieselscout80]

I saw some 7-14” 8 ply R1 tires.

What ply are yours?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

On a little tractor like that, some 10 or 14 ply pickup truck mud grips.

 

[dieselscout80]

On a little tractor like that, some 10 or 14 ply pickup truck mud grips.

Likely less than any new tractor tire.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Likely less than any new tractor tire.

Yes, and I think his are 16 inch. We have an old 1900 and it is 16. All them size skid steer tires are 16.5". Unless his are too, making rims work would be more trouble if you had to pay to adapt them. I've recently seen boys buy a skidder just to swap tires with theirs and sell the one they just bought. When tires are 5,000 each, you see them things happen.

 

[repete]

I just took two 7x16 R-1 tires off my tractor that are in much better shape than these. If you lived near me I would give them to you.

 

[Wolfy]

I do not believe R4 were an option for most of these Shibaura Fords. I agree with a 8 ply, R1. I like BKT and Firestone tractor tires.

 

[5030]

Stiff sidewalls and maximum air pressure.

 

[Seven Gables]

Also a good counterweight will take a lot of the load off the front tires and axle

 

[Creamer]

I will have to check tomorrow but I believe these are 7.00-16 R4s on the front of my 1710. I have replaced them once but more because of dry rot than wear out. I have been warned to watch tire size mismatch for driveline bind but the rear are 13.6 x 16.1 diamond tread and neither have enough traction to worry worry about. But as you can see it does carry loads. The log on the back is a 30" x 22' cherry although it had been standing dead for about 2 years before this photo. I will try to check tomorrow and verify the size of the fronts.

 

[Morning Wood]

They are a 6 ply.