AG (R1) versus Industrial (R4)

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Let me ask another question about R1 vs R4. Turf can take a beating with R1. What about a gravel drive? Will r1 "dig" into them? I ask because I would like to use a snow blower. Will a unfrozen gravel drive suffer with R1 while using a snow blower?
Bob
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I run loaded R1's on both of my machines (and all except 1 previous machine). The do no damage to dry gravel drives and only minimal marking on wet gravel (as long as it has a solid base). On dry lawns they leave minimal marks. Wet lawns or mud, forget it, serious "dents" or gouges. Way better traction than turfs or R4's. And by the way, tires that "float" need to be on something semi-solid to have any traction.

Andy

 

[Doc_Bob]

Everyone's observations are greatly appreciated. I must make it very clear that as a newbie, this would be impossible for me to learn without your collective wisdom and willingness to share it.
Bob

 

[PineRidge]

Jerry I think you hit the nail on the head.

Last spring we had 20 dump truck loads of composted horse manure brought in for our large garden area. The driver randomly dumped the loads in various part of the garden and it was up to me to spread the manure using the TC40D. The job started well but I noted the more I was able to spread the slower I was moving with the R4s. And as I made more and more progress it became impossible for me to navigate through the manure with any kind of load in the bucket.

I called my neighbor who owns a TN70D with R1 radial tires. He spread the manure without it even slowing him down.

Had another case where I got into heavy mud filling in a trench and again my R4s loaded up and quickly became worthless in the goo with a load in the bucket.

I have no problem moving through the thick stuff if there is no load in the bucket but hey, I was trying to get some work done.

Had R1s on our last rig which was only 25 HP 4WD. I used that tractor to prep our property before the pond and house were built. I got it into and out of just about every situation that I could imagine and never got it stuck. R1s rule for traction.

 

[kensfarm]

"I do. I think mikim and kensfarm both have R1s on their tractors and can probably tell us what they think if they see this thread. "

Hi Jinman.. I think you guys have the topic pretty well covered.. since this winter had been warmer then usual.. it's been mud, mud, & more mud. A pair of "Muck Boots" and R1's really come in handy.. if you're just going to be in the dirt.. I'd go w/ the R1's.

"I was really impressed with the R4s' sidewall strength. I don't think R1s are that strong."

I agree.. this is one reason I got the front tires foam filled(R1).. seeing the tires squish under some heavy FEL work.. add a hillside into the factor.. I just felt better having them filled. Not getting a flat is good too!

 

[Soundguy]

By far, the R1 offer more tractoion.. that looks like what you need.. traction.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[jinman]

This is great! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We are getting every side of this tire issue aired-out here. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Just to be a "devil's advocate," let me bring up one more issue.

How about dry or slightly damp sand? I'm talking beach sand or powder sand. My neighbor drove his dad's 34xx 4wd Kubota with R1s into a very dry creek bottom to get some sand. As soon as he got his bucket full, his front wheels took a dive and then the rears buried up. I ended up pulling a very embarassed Kubota owner out of a dry creek because his R1s had very little float. I went into the same creek a few weeks later and dug out hundreds of yards of beach sand without ever coming close to being stuck. R4 float makes a big difference in loose sand. Technically, probably turfs would be even better for this job. It just shows that float in mud makes you slip and slide out of control, but float in sand is your friend. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[kossetx]

Doc Bob, No doubt that r-1 will have better traction. I wouldn't have minded having them on my new tractor. If this helps at all, I, for the past 14 years have been using turf tires on my place. I bought them because I was told they would be more puncture resistant with the mesquite trees on my place. I also bought a set of ag tires that would fit the rims. I have never used the ags. I have used a 5' shredder and 5' disc with the turf tires. I have never gotten stuck that wasn't the fault of the implement I was pulling. Once it was unhooked, I was always able to get free.

Granted, my place only gets about 38" of rainfall annually, but it is clay and can get mucky. The moral of the story is, you learn to get by with what you have and no tire is the ideal one. I hope someday to have a tractor for each tire type. I'm part way there now.

Hope it helps

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> Let me ask another question about R1 vs R4. Turf can take a beating with R1. What about a gravel drive? Will r1 "dig" into them? I ask because I would like to use a snow blower. Will a unfrozen gravel drive suffer with R1 while using a snow blower? </font>
Bob,
There shouldn't be any problem with a gravel drive and R-1s. The only way that the R-1s would dig in a drive is if you were to be towing something almost to heavy for the tractor as ballasted. As the lugs come up off of the gravel, the gravel will fill the indentions. BTW, I know absolutely nothing about snow blowing. If we get 5-6 inches that is a lot. We did get 24" once about 7 or 8 years ago. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[daTeacha]

Just to add to the fun here, think this over. I just ordered out a DX-29 (TC-29 in red). In the process of getting things finalized, I talked mostly with Steve, one of the owners of the business. On Saturday, however, Steve was out and I talked with his brother, John, another owner. I explained the use and terrain to both. One recommended R1, the other R4. The R4s are 15 x 19.5, 4 ply while the R1s are 11.2 x 24, 4 ply. The front ags are 6 ply, while the front R4s are 4 ply. The R4s look all tough and macho with wide lugs and high sidewalls. The R1s don't have the sporty "rice car" look, but I'm sure they will outpull the R4s when it comes down to it. I went with the R1s and saved $221 on the cost of the tractor -- just about enough to cover the cost of the QA loader bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

My little B7100 has R1s and has never gotten stuck beyond rescue with the bucket, nor have I ever punctured a tire running around in the woods after a logging operation. I hope this doesn't jinks my time with the new tractor.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Okay, AG (R1) are the winners! Just avoid sand (not a problem). I wish I had sand /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif(my soil would love it). Thanks to everyone who took the time to help with the question.
Bob