4x20 Series R1 Tire Size

[Turkeyman]

I got the R4 because they had more plys then the R1's. I farm in a rock quarry so I need the extra strength plus I use a Brown tree cutter to cut 4-5" trees which I think would damage a 4 ply tire. Also, this tire will float over the fluffy dirt I deal with.
But, I was pulling a 3-14 bottom plow tonight and wished I had the R1 for that, but overall am happy w/ R4's.

 

[Turkeyman]

I got the R4 because they had more plys then the R1's. I farm in a rock quarry so I need the extra strength plus I use a Brown tree cutter to cut 4-5" trees which I think would damage a 4 ply tire. Also, this tire will float over the fluffy dirt I deal with.
But, I was pulling a 3-14 bottom plow tonight and wished I had the R1 for that, but overall am happy w/ R4's.

 

[timb]

Pro's -

big tire, big tire volume, big ballast. Mine are filled with RimGuard. A 16.9x24 holds 653 lbs of fill each, the standard 13.6x28 'only' 460 lbs each. In addition, these particular 16.9x24's that Deere provided are heavier 6 ply vs the stock 13.6x28 4 ply, there's quite a bit of difference in carcass weight which makes the total combined weight/ballast difference nearly 500 lbs. over the smaller tires. So, I've got lot's of rear ballast and overall tractor mass, for better or worse (at times). I haven't run it past a scale, but my 4710 without the loader is probably up around 4900 lbs. With the 460, hd bucket and toothbar mounted, it's probably over 6000 lbs.

I would also assume there are differences in how the two sizes will 'dig' or 'float' in various soils but I've yet to really get mine so far into the muck to guess on that.

Cons -

Since the tires are notably wider, for any given wheel/rim position setting - the tractor is both wider overall, and has less 'clearance' between the tires. I have mine set at a 55" track, which makes the tractor just about 72"-73" wide overall, not a bad match for the 6' MX6 or the loader bucket. However, that makes the between-the-tires clearance about 37"-38". Not a big problem working around the 3-point, but I wouldn't want it any more cramped.

Also, if you have any intention of doing any actual light farming - that narrow between-the-tires clearance and individual tire width comes into play dealing with windrows, row or bed spacings, even moldboard plow size/spacing so that you can fit in and align with the furrows. There the 13.6x28 might have a small advantage. Most owners would probably never run into an issue there, though.

 

[timb]

Pro's -

big tire, big tire volume, big ballast. Mine are filled with RimGuard. A 16.9x24 holds 653 lbs of fill each, the standard 13.6x28 'only' 460 lbs each. In addition, these particular 16.9x24's that Deere provided are heavier 6 ply vs the stock 13.6x28 4 ply, there's quite a bit of difference in carcass weight which makes the total combined weight/ballast difference nearly 500 lbs. over the smaller tires. So, I've got lot's of rear ballast and overall tractor mass, for better or worse (at times). I haven't run it past a scale, but my 4710 without the loader is probably up around 4900 lbs. With the 460, hd bucket and toothbar mounted, it's probably over 6000 lbs.

I would also assume there are differences in how the two sizes will 'dig' or 'float' in various soils but I've yet to really get mine so far into the muck to guess on that.

Cons -

Since the tires are notably wider, for any given wheel/rim position setting - the tractor is both wider overall, and has less 'clearance' between the tires. I have mine set at a 55" track, which makes the tractor just about 72"-73" wide overall, not a bad match for the 6' MX6 or the loader bucket. However, that makes the between-the-tires clearance about 37"-38". Not a big problem working around the 3-point, but I wouldn't want it any more cramped.

Also, if you have any intention of doing any actual light farming - that narrow between-the-tires clearance and individual tire width comes into play dealing with windrows, row or bed spacings, even moldboard plow size/spacing so that you can fit in and align with the furrows. There the 13.6x28 might have a small advantage. Most owners would probably never run into an issue there, though.

 

[boatermark]

Wow. That is great info. It sounds like the 16.9-24 is a pretty good tire if you want to go with an R1. I guess Deere had this as a tire option for the 4700 and 4710, but none of the 4x20 series. I wonder why?

 

[boatermark]

Wow. That is great info. It sounds like the 16.9-24 is a pretty good tire if you want to go with an R1. I guess Deere had this as a tire option for the 4700 and 4710, but none of the 4x20 series. I wonder why?

 

[timb]

I suspect they just didn't sell well, they were an upcost option. I didn't order them but I grabbed my 4710 as the Ten series was being discontinued. Towards the end of the model run it looked like most of the 4710's were coming in with those tires like Deere was cleaning them out. My dealer had ended up having to go all the way to Vermont to find mine, and when it showed up - it had the big tires. I had debated about going with that size all along, but I hadn't asked for them. When the tractor came in with those already in place and I wasn't charged for them I decided it was meant to be. I will say, with the Rimguard fill the tractor stays planted. I run out of pucker room mowing on a side slope (but I'm a chicken) long before the tractor even thinks about getting light.

 

[timb]

I suspect they just didn't sell well, they were an upcost option. I didn't order them but I grabbed my 4710 as the Ten series was being discontinued. Towards the end of the model run it looked like most of the 4710's were coming in with those tires like Deere was cleaning them out. My dealer had ended up having to go all the way to Vermont to find mine, and when it showed up - it had the big tires. I had debated about going with that size all along, but I hadn't asked for them. When the tractor came in with those already in place and I wasn't charged for them I decided it was meant to be. I will say, with the Rimguard fill the tractor stays planted. I run out of pucker room mowing on a side slope (but I'm a chicken) long before the tractor even thinks about getting light.

 

[Turkeyman]

If Deere does not sale a product they do not carry it long. An example is the Armour kit for the 4X10 series. I asked for one on the 4x20 series and the engineers/marketing people said they only sold 71 during the entire run from the factory- so they droped offering it.
Bigger tires are one of my suggestions for the upgrade due out in 07-08. I think they should offer a 12x16.5 R4 front and a 19.5 x 24 for the rear. Mine looses traction long before it looses Power.

 

[Turkeyman]

If Deere does not sale a product they do not carry it long. An example is the Armour kit for the 4X10 series. I asked for one on the 4x20 series and the engineers/marketing people said they only sold 71 during the entire run from the factory- so they droped offering it.
Bigger tires are one of my suggestions for the upgrade due out in 07-08. I think they should offer a 12x16.5 R4 front and a 19.5 x 24 for the rear. Mine looses traction long before it looses Power.