Brandi and Brian, I like the predominate advantage of the self cleaning tire for traction in most situations, as well as the larger diameter too - which also helps traction and ride quality, and ground clearance. It is for these advantages that I would never go to R4s, perhaps even if I were doing 100% loader work on surface conditions here. Admittedly, the fronts become grossly overloaded when carrying full loader capacity. Lets see- tractor,BH,FEL, loaded rears--12,000#... bucket load 4000#. The rears get light. That means theres somewhat less than 16K# on the fronts. At unladen fill 30psi air the tires are near flat. The question for me is what pressure the tire will safely accommodate. The side panel on both the rear and front tires gives warnings about using more than 35psi to seat the bead. Yet the max operating pressure of the rears is 18psi, while the front is 30psi. This is inconsistent with logic for differently sized tires having 6 ply rated carcasses. Due to its smaller size and therefore lesser area the small carcass is not strained as much per psi as the larger one. I know for a fact that the fronts will withstand 80psi because I accidently got one to that by leaving the water on too long while in the last fill - bleed cycle. There wasnt much air in it so not super dangerous. That low compressable content is whats so good about making the R1 work safely for much higher loads. My tires now have 16psi. I initially set them at 20, but some of the air has been absorbed into the water. The tires ride better, and carry loads better than they did empty at 30psi. They are filled to just above the valves at 12 oclock - a little less than 75%. I plan to keep pressure in the 18 to 20psi range and go as high as 90% fill to get load support. The pressure will go higher with squat from FEL load - maybe as high as 50 with care on bumps- but Ill be far from the tire. I know the carcass will stand 80psi, and the benefit of limiting the extreme [and harmful] distortion seen by the 30psi empty tire is worth it to me. Another way, if you could be sure youll never change your mind, would be to foam fill. For me -too permanent.
Brandi, yes rust is an issue, but the rims are painted. Even CaCl leaks take years to rust out a rim. Even in freezing territory I choose water for convenience. I keep shaving trees with the rims and that causes a bead leak until you remove the morsel. Its great to be able to just let some water out to soften the tire so that it comes out easily and completely. Or you could just let it seep for awhile - no big deal.
larry
hugs, Brandi
