Ag R1 tires or R4

[kfriis]

Hi -

Let's assume you are in the market for a new 45-55 HP tractor with FEL. It will work about 30 acres tillable land and 50 acres of woods. Land is almost completely flat.

These days, it seems R4 tires are more or less standard on compact trators. What's wrong with good old-fashioned Ag R1 tires? What would be the downside? Where do the R4 tires outperform R1 tires? The tractor will not be used to mow a lawn - that's what a lawn mower is for.

Thanks!

 

[jwstewar]

Loader work is where R4s outperform R1. They are typically a 6 ply vs. a 4 ply tire. I just bought a L3301, I went with R14s.

 

[RalphVa]

Have had R4s on the last two tractors, total of around 7 years. Absolutely no problems, with FEL use and all.

Main problem with R4s is not much side grip. The R3s I had on the 4010 had better side grip.

R1s would probably have slightly better side grip and probably more comfortable ride.

To me, the absolute lack of any problems is a big user point.

Ralph

 

[rademamj1]

I would not want R1 tires tearing up my property. Every rut collects water and requires additional work to remove that rut. If your 100% agriculture only, then R1 makes sense. If you got any loader work, then R4 makes alot more sense.

However, after 3 years of tractor ownership, i sometimes regret even my R4 tires and wish I had chosen R3 turf tires at the beginning. When my R4 tires need eventual replacement, I will most likely replace with turf R3. I have also looked at cross over tires called R14, a tire with benefits of both R1 and R4, thus the name R14.

 

[Richard]

I have R4's on my industrial backhoe. R1's on my International 1066. rademamj1 makes a good point above.... my (something like) 16,000 pound backhoe with R4's doesn't come anywhere near tearing things up like my much lighter (but still very large) tractor with R1's will.

 

[Diggin It]

Hi -

Let's assume you are in the market for a new 45-55 HP tractor with FEL. It will work about 30 acres tillable land and 50 acres of woods. Land is almost completely flat.

What's wrong with good old-fashioned Ag R1 tires? !

For your purpose ... nothing. You should get those since R4s probably won't add much for your range of tasks.

 

[4570Man]

R4 tires scar the ground a lot less, are more puncture resistant, wear longer on asphalt, have a lot better load capacity on the front tires. R1 tires have better traction but most compact tractors aren’t doing work where it matters that much.

 

[chim]

Have a Ford 1210 since around 1991 that's always had R!'s. Just replaced them again this year. The Kubota L4240 has R4's that I grooved for snow. The little Ford marks things up more than the bigger Kubota.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I grew up on a farm with Ag tractors decades ago. I rented a TLB years ago with R4's, couldn't even get around in a wet yard without 4wd! I knew then if ever bought a tractor it would not have R4 tires.

My MT240 came with only 7-14 R1 front tires but they are 6 ply and rated for 990 lbs each, seems a little under capacity for a tractor with 2200lbs loader capacity to me but no issues with weight so far, just sticks when brush hogging.

If you are going to use ground engaging implements, plow, disk, harrow, you want R1 for the traction. If you will be using it in snow, you want R1 tires.

 

[chim]

I grew up on a farm with Ag tractors decades ago. I rented a TLB years ago with R4's, couldn't even get around in a wet yard without 4wd! I knew then if ever bought a tractor it would not have R4 tires...........................................................If you are going to use ground engaging implements, plow, disk, harrow, you want R1 for the traction. If you will be using it in snow, you want R1 tires.

R1's do work well in mud. I don't have mud. I do have grass (wet and dry) and snow to deal with. There were a few places backing up a hill that required either 4WD or raising the RFM to add weight to the rear tires - especially when there was dew on the grass - with the smaller tractors. The L4240 goes fine in 2WD.

For snow, the R4's work great. Disclaimer: they are grooved. Scroll down to post #652 on this old thread:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a-66.html

 

[oosik]

My M6040 came with 6ply R-1's. R-4's would probably work just as well. Especially for all the heavy work I do with my grapple. However - so far, the R-1's have given me no problems.

I just wonder about R-4's and all the snow plowing I do with my rear blade. I think the weight of my tractor( 10,015# ) is just as important as the R-1's I currently have on it.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Not much to add to others on this. R1 and R4's both have their pros and cons; it really depends on your application.

My first tractor had R1's and worked very well for my tasks. I contemplated getting R4's on my second, but opted to go with the R1's again, and glad I did. They can't be beat in snow (non-issue for you in FL), and I have areas that get very muddy. They also cost a bit less(not a deal maker) and they allowed me to adjust the width in the rear, and would be unable to do with the R4's.

 

[coobie]

R1,s for me.Better in the mud and snow.

 

[fruitcakesa]

My old L4630 had R4's and current M6040 has R1's.
I have found the biggest difference for me is the larger wheel size of the R1's makes for smoother operation on rough, uneven ground.
I use chains on both in winter and into mud season so traction in those cases is pretty equal.

 

[Thomas]

R4's wont damage the ground when turning like R1's.
If you decide to on rear tire tire chains you may need wheel spacers.
Slope etc. traction not as good as R1's
R4's good for loader and ride.

 

[Mat4644]

R1s for traction and R4s for durability. R4s were developed for extreme conditions, extra long wear and ability to slide sideways (skid steer). If doing a lot of brush clearing R4s will have less flats.

 

[chim]

I contemplated getting R4's on my second, but opted to go with the R1's again, and glad I did. They can't be beat in snow (non-issue for you in FL), and I have areas that get very muddy. They also cost a bit less(not a deal maker) and they allowed me to adjust the width in the rear, and would be unable to do with the R4's.

The rear wheels on both my Ford (R1) and Kubota (R4) are adjustable for width. I'm thinking the adjustment is based on rim choice rather than tire choice. Flipping and flopping the rims and centers allows a wide variety of width choices. Here's the Kubota.

 

[The Deerslayer]

The rear wheels on both my Ford (R1) and Kubota (R4) are adjustable for width. I'm thinking the adjustment is based on rim choice rather than tire choice. Flipping and flopping the rims and centers allows a wide variety of width choices. Here's the Kubota.

Nice tractor!
If I remember correctly, I believe you can widen the R4s on the Grand series, but not on the economy L like mine.

 

[Bob Thielman]

I went back and forth on this. I ended up getting R14's as an experiment (L2501). Time will tell. I put up a thread about the R14's, FWIW.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have haD tractors with R1 and R4 in the past. I personally like the R4 better . I dont have mud here, and snow is not an issue....its ice. Neither work good on ice. But my R4 tires work smoother with tire chains installed. Less bouncing around than R1 with chains. Just my 2 cents.
I dont till the ground, and property is pretty flat so traction is no issue.