AG Tires

[WALT]

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AFTER USING TURF TIRES WITH A BOX SCRAPER AND YORK RAKE, I DECIDED TO BUY THE AG (R-1) TIRES AND WHEELS.
MY PRICE FOR THE FOUR TIRES & WHEELS WAS APPROX. $300.00.
MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT USING ANY GROUND ENGAGING IMPLEMENT ON THE BX 2200, THE AG (R-1) TIRES ARE SUPERIOR TO THE TURF TIRES. I HAVE APPROX. 380 HOURS ON MY BX2200, USING A VARIETY OF IMPLEMENTS. I DO SWITCH BACK TO THE TURFS WHEN AERATING CUSTOMERS LAWNS, BUT GENERALLY LEAVE ON THE AG TIRES WHEN MOWING MY LAWN ETC.
JUST REMEMBER TO DISENGAGE THE 4WD IF IT IS NOT NEEDED.

WALT

 

[RobertN]

While looking around for prices to switch my B8200 from turf's to R4 or R1, I found the dealer had the best deal. They had new tires on rims, ready to go. My tires and rims are much larger than yours, and more expensive.

 

[frank_f15]

was just wondering why with only 4 year old tires u need to replace the front tires?

 

[jph_in_Bama]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[OkieG]

Frank,

The tread has definitely worn some, but my main concern is that weather cracks are beginning to develop.
My tractor has to put up with outdoor storage. I suspect that might speed the ageing process.
It also sat outside in the dealers lot for a year before I bought it.
I've never had to replace tires before, so maybe they will last longer than I think.
They aren't on their last legs quite yet, but they aren't ageing gracefully.
At this time, there is just over 400 hours on the meter.
The front loader gets plenty of use and the tires do see their share of asphalt time (not in 4wd, unless I forget, which sometimes I do).
How long should a set of tires last?

OkieG

 

[jph_in_Bama]

Walt where did you get your R-1's?

 

[chim]

OkieG, my Ford has AG tires. The rears are the ones that were on it when I bought it around '93. At that time the tractor was 10 years old, and they may be the originals.

Front tires are another story. I replaced the fronts not long after getting the tractor, and the tread shows considerable wear now. I normally do a few miles of blactop travel weekly during the mowing season. No signs of cracking front or rear so far, and it's stored outside. I only use 4WD when needed, and not on blacktop except for plowing snow.

Went w/ R4's when I got the Kubota last Spring. Partly because of the road travel, and I also thought they'd be better with the FEL. So far they've been great - dirt, mud, dry and wet grass. The Kubota with R4's has done better than the Ford with AGs. Both are HST's.

After using the Ford for so many years on the same land, I am "programmed" to anticipate the tractor's feel when I get to certain locations. The Kubota doesn't slide or spin nearly as much as the Ford does. I use a RFM, and there are places where I back up a grade, and have to either lift the deck (to get weight on the rears for traction) or flip to 4WD with the Ford. In many of those spots, the Kubota simply backs up without having to do anything other than hit reverse. There are some places where it's efficient (and a bit unnerving) to mow side-hill. With the Ford, the technique includes putting the left cheek on the left fender, tractor in 4WD, and ride it out kinda "doggy" along the hill as the rear slides downhill slightly and the fronts get traction and try to pull the tractor uphill. With the Kubota, it's 4wd, stay in the seat and drive straight.

Did I mention I was happy with the R4's? Sure hope to try them in the snow a lot this Winter.

 

[OkieG]

Chim,

I think my Ag tire experience is shaping up to be similar to yours. ie front tires wearing faster than rears. I guess that's not too surprising, though, considering the smaller footprint in front while supporting half the weight, more or less.

Do you think the difference in traction you have between your two tractors is due to the tire tread or due to differences in the tractors themselves?

I'm wondering if the difference in traction between R1s and R4s amounts to much? And, if R4s wear better on the road? I think R1s are cheaper, but if R4s have similar traction and wear better on pavement, it might be worth the extra cost when replacement time rolls around.

OkieG

 

[chim]

OkieG, you have a point about the footprint size and the weight on the front tires. The front tires make more revolutions than the rear tires too. The outside part of the tread goes faster than the inside, so I'm guessing the rims are in a bit at the bottom.

I don't think there's a lot of difference in the weights of the two tractors, although the Kubota "feels" like a bigger heavier machine. There's a difference in the width of the tires of the two tractors. When I was saying about backing up a grade, I was comparing the Ford with the Caroni deck, and the Kubota with the Landpride. The LP is a heavier deck, so I'd think it harder to push uphill.

When we get some snow, that will be the final piece of info I need for a comparison. So far, the R4's have actually worked better for me. Deciding on what tires to go with took quite a bit of time. When I bought the tractor, the dealer told me I could have whichever tires I wanted, which would seem to indicate there wasn't a big difference in price to him.....................chim