Getting the wheel/tire combination I want on a new tractor

[Hendey T&G]

I'm looking at a Mahindra 5145 and twice now I've been told I can't get R-4 tires with the 2 piece width adjustable wheels.
They can get R-1 Ag tires like that but not R-4s. I pointed out that the factory brochure shows the wheel/tire combo I want
but have been told they can't get them like that. Is the this the sign of a dealer not willing to go the extra mile or am I being unreasonable?
My property is very hilly and I need to get the wheels out as wide as possible. They told me I could turn the factory 1 piece wheels around and switch sides with them but there's no adjustment. I was also told I could use spacers but I don't want spacers.
Picture of brochure attached.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Get the R1 tires, especially on hillsides.

 

[Hendey T&G]

I don't mind R-1s I just like the idea of the tougher side walls on R-4s.
I think part of my land was cleared with a big slasher and there are many punji sticks to contend with.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The dealer is incorrect.... an R4 rim is much wider / deeper. You cannot "turn them around or swap side to side

Vs. an R1 rim:

Don't forget the R4's are much wider to begin with. The new R14's fit on R4 rims and are also wider.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The dealer is incorrect.... an R4 rim is much wider / deeper. You cannot "turn them around or swap side to side



View attachment 782911
Vs. an R1 rim:

View attachment 782913

Don't forget the R4's are much wider to begin with. The new R14's fit on R4 rims and are also wider.

You are correct, 1 piece R4 rims as you have pictured cannot be turned. The OP has a picture of R4s on 2 piece adjustable rims on the tractor that he wants.
His posted picture is an OEM brochure picture with factory supplied tires and wheels. The 2 piece R4 rims are common on full sized utility tractors, I have them on my tractor. Maybe Titan has not caught up with their back logs, but the 2 piece R4 rims are indeed available and were a std item for Mahindra utility sized tractors.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I bought R4s for 2 of my tractors. I was thinking the wider tires would be better on hills. I was wrong, They slide sideways on hills, don’t grip well. Last tractor I got R1, which are almost as wide as the R4s I had before. Will never get R4s again.

 

[Hay Dude]

You can get wide (or narrow) R-1’s with higher load capacities for loader work. I have some pretty heavy duty R-1’s on mine

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think that the OP wants what is suppose to be a std no cost option for the tractor that he wants to get.
There are all kinds of options if you want to pay additional $$$$ which most people seem to prefer not to do.

 

[Torvy]

I guess I would contact another dealer and see if it comes the way you wish.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think that the OP wants what is suppose to be a std no cost option for the tractor that he wants to get.
There are all kinds of options if you want to pay additional $$$$ which most people seem to prefer not to do.

I don’t know if that’s true or not. One thing I do know, once you buy them you’re kind of stuck with them, so make sure you get what you want.

 

[arrow]

I just delivered a 5145 to a customer last Friday w industrials.
The rims are non adjustable but are super wide.
They simply are coming from the factory like this.

 

[jyoutz]

You can get wide (or narrow) R-1’s with higher load capacities for loader work. I have some pretty heavy duty R-1’s on mine

I like those wide and heavy duty R1s, but those aren’t offered as an option on most new tractors, just the narrow R1s with lighter duty sidewalls that flex. What wheels do you have those wide R1s mounted on? Since they are wider, would they mount on R4 wheels?

 

[Torvy]

I like those wide and heavy duty R1s, but those aren’t offered as an option on most new tractors, just the narrow R1s with lighter duty sidewalls that flex. What wheels do you have those wide R1s mounted on? Since they are wider, would they mount on R4 wheels?

After I saw Hay Dude's post I searched for 16.9-24 and found some. They run between ~$700 and $750 a tire. They were a few places. This one had choices. Not an endorsement as I have no idea if they are reputable.

Tractor Tires

www.tiremart.com

 

[Hay Dude]

After I saw Hay Dude's post I searched for 16.9-24 and found some. They run between ~$700 and $750 a tire. They were a few places. This one had choices. Not an endorsement as I have no idea if they are reputable.

Tractor Tires

www.tiremart.com

There’s also brands that have additional plies in the sidewall and tread or offer higher load ratings.
Kubota has BKT brand. They are optional wider width.
Challenger has CEAT brand. They are stock width or maybe slightly wider.
Neither are considered high quality. They’re just average radials.

I like the wider rubber for hay fields and soft ground. IMO, they also seem to handle loads better than narrow for a loader.

The Massey & the Magnum have mid-width tires.

 

[ptsg]

Here is a good example of what Hay Dude is saying. Standard R1 vs R1 Radial tires. Noticeable different not only in footprint but comfort, wear, performance, and so on.

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[Torvy]

Good info, I am planning on placing my order in a couple of weeks. Spring Break starts the 10th of March and I am hoping I can time delivery for that week.

I wonder if I could have my dealer upgrade the tires to one of these? Essentially 'trade in' my brand new factory tires for a wide R1 with 8 ply. Wider stance is more comfortable (from a pucker factor at least) and you have a bit more float. For my applications, it may be a good balance between traction, stability and durability.

 

[Torvy]

Here is a good example of what Hay Dude is saying. Standard R1 vs R1 Radial tires. Noticeable different not only in footprint but comfort, wear, performance, and so on.

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Is it safe to assume the narrower R1 has better traction though? I'm not a physics expert, but i would think same power over less area. That may be situational though.

 

[ptsg]

Is it safe to assume the narrower R1 has better traction though? I'm not a physics expert, but i would think same power over less area. That may be situational though.

The R1 Radial will provide a lot more traction. Hard to tell from the picture but it has slightly deeper lugs and just the overall footprint makes a big difference.

Plus, these tires run at very low pressures to the point that you may look at it and think you have a flat tire but it isn't. It will squat a lot and it's meant to run that way and increases traction big time.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is it safe to assume the narrower R1 has better traction though? I'm not a physics expert, but i would think same power over less area. That may be situational though.

It is situational. Depends on the conditions and what you are doing. Generally, I think the wider has more advantages overall as a tire than the narrow. The wider will do less damage in terms of compaction.
For most typical TBN tractor operators, the wider tires will do less damage in terms of rut depth. They also give more stability.

 

[arrow]

The radials were developed for road travel especially in Europe where farmers were traversing from one field to another and using local thruways.
They provided the opportunity for field traction and soft, smoother ride when on hard surfaces at speed.

As HD has stated, they also do not compact soil as much and are easier on the terrain than narrow stiff ags.
A few years ago I read someplace (maybe TBN???) that a guy with radials took his compact on his lawn and proceeded to make a sharp turn.
They could just about tell where the tractor had been. The same maneuver with ags would have certainly left little doubt.
I cannot attest to the veracity of this as I have no experience w radials.