AG Tire sizes

[IH3444]

The wider tires act just like the tracks on a dozer in most soil conditions. The low ground pressure is more than offset by the total contact area of the treads. Dozers have much less ground pressure, but why do they grip so well? Contact area.......Plus larger tires offer more floatation over boggie areas, another consideration. Narrower tires with high pressure will sink, and then possibly dig themself into a hole. As mentioned before also R4 tires have usually a higher ply rating, allowing the FEL to be used to it's full extent. Ever look at R1s with a full load in the bucket?

 

[dknarnd]

For me AG's will be the only way to go except one used tractor I am looking at has the R4's on. I already priced out a set of 14.9x24 at $240 each and 8x16 at $150 each installed, plus tubes or stems if needed. Now that I'm speaking prices my stealer wants $2789 for the 14.9" and 8" R1's which also includes wheels, this is if I go with a new tractor.

 

[AndyMA]

I disagree that wider R1's have less traction. I always go for the largest R1's available on each tractor that I have purchased. I have used both TN's and 2120's with smaller tires than I have and in both cases there was a significient decrease in traction. The dozer analogy above is right on.

Andy

 

[LeadPoison]

I have 14.9-28s on my Kubota M4900 and no complaints.

I disked 6 acres last weekend at 5 mph and had zero problems.

 

[daTeacha]

The wider tires act just like the tracks on a dozer in most soil conditions. The low ground pressure is more than offset by the total contact area of the treads. Dozers have much less ground pressure, but why do they grip so well? Contact area.......Plus larger tires offer more floatation over boggie areas, another consideration. Narrower tires with high pressure will sink, and then possibly dig themself into a hole. As mentioned before also R4 tires have usually a higher ply rating, allowing the FEL to be used to it's full extent. Ever look at R1s with a full load in the bucket?

Just two comments in reply: 1) Many dozers have steel lugs on their tracks which act in a manner similar to the lugs on Ag tires. They dig into the soil while the soil on either side of them is supporting the weight of the machine. The soil has to be displaced laterally while being pressed vertically before the things will slip. 2) My DX29 tractor/loader with the wide Ag tire option came with 4 ply rears and 6 ply fronts. The fronts do not deflect much when the bucket is heavily loaded. I have them running at the recommended pressure as per the tire sidewalls -- somewhere around 35 lb. if memory serves -- rather than the manual.

When checking with the dealer about tires, check the ply and load ratings in addition to the size. If you will mow a lot, you want low pressures. If you will do a lot of loader work, you want higher pressures in the front. Air pressure is cheap and easy to change. It makes a huge difference in how your tractor performs in areas ranging from traction to damage to your lawn
yet most people just set the tires once and forget it until something breaks or leaks.