Anybody like their R4 tires in snow
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I tend to agree with those who say that the R4 do well in snow and are generally great for mowing and working in the woods. :thumbsup:
This is based on my first outing with my 2320 plowing several asphalt driveways tonight (we just got a 2" snow) that ranged from level to very steep with no counter weight & a 6.5 wide Myers plow. Of course I have not been in any other snow yet where the R4 tires may become problematic if it gets too deep - if they do I guess I could always consider getting as set of chains.
Overall, I am very happy with the R4's they seem to be great on the lawn and excellent in the woods. I do need to be mindful when I am on the lawn and have 4WD engaged as the front tires will grab into the lawn in tight turns as do the back tires when cutting tight turns too fast on soft wet turf. They are probably the best compromise for having a single tire on the machine.
This is based on my first outing with my 2320 plowing several asphalt driveways tonight (we just got a 2" snow) that ranged from level to very steep with no counter weight & a 6.5 wide Myers plow. Of course I have not been in any other snow yet where the R4 tires may become problematic if it gets too deep - if they do I guess I could always consider getting as set of chains.
Overall, I am very happy with the R4's they seem to be great on the lawn and excellent in the woods. I do need to be mindful when I am on the lawn and have 4WD engaged as the front tires will grab into the lawn in tight turns as do the back tires when cutting tight turns too fast on soft wet turf. They are probably the best compromise for having a single tire on the machine.
Deadman
Veteran Member
Gramma's Buick tires would push 2 inches of snow! :laughing:
Wait til you get in 20 inches, and see what you think of those rock hard R4's!
They are the best "all around tire" by far, but just can't be perfect in all conditions.
I'm ok with the R4's but have to agree. Sliding is the big deal with me.Gramma's Buick tires would push 2 inches of snow! :laughing:
Wait til you get in 20 inches, and see what you think of those rock hard R4's!
They are the best "all around tire" by far, but just can't be perfect in all conditions.
lungdoc
Gold Member
Gramma's Buick tires would push 2 inches of snow! :laughing:
Wait til you get in 20 inches, and see what you think of those rock hard R4's!
They are the best "all around tire" by far, but just can't be perfect in all conditions.
I think greasy snow just around the freezing mark is the worst - and worse than deep snow. If you have hill of any sort you want chains with R4's.
mapmaker
Member
I have R4s on my 4115, the rears are loaded. My drive is 380' long and raises 70 feet in elevation. I have both a plow and a snow blower for the front and I have a sander I keep on the back. I find as long as I run chains on the rear and I do not have any problems. On the steepest section I cannot take as big a bite with the plow going up as I do going down. When I use the snow blower it is not an issue. If it was not for the grade I could most likely get by without the chains but I like them when we get freezing rain, running the tractor up and down the drive after I have put down sand/salt breaks up all the ice.
USNative
Silver Member
My tractor is working great in snow with the R4's. We have a new ranch with a half mile driveway and we get 4 foot drifts in all areas of it. I am using the loader to clear it and we have one area that is pretty darn steep and I am able to clear it going up hill without spinning a wheel.I am pretty amazed at how good the tractor does in the conditions we have had so far.
I have the 2010 JD 3038e with 305 loader and the rear tires are loaded. I also have it in 4WD when I am clearing the snow. I do think that chains are a good idea still as my front end tends to float slightly as the bucket fills up. I pay close attention to the front end and if it starts to float I let up on the bucket slightly to keep weight on that front end. As long as I don't get too much pressure on the bucket I am fine.
When using a bucket on an uneven driveway you have to make ajustments here and there but I am getting pretty good at it now. Overall I am happy with the R4's in the snow.
I have the 2010 JD 3038e with 305 loader and the rear tires are loaded. I also have it in 4WD when I am clearing the snow. I do think that chains are a good idea still as my front end tends to float slightly as the bucket fills up. I pay close attention to the front end and if it starts to float I let up on the bucket slightly to keep weight on that front end. As long as I don't get too much pressure on the bucket I am fine.
When using a bucket on an uneven driveway you have to make ajustments here and there but I am getting pretty good at it now. Overall I am happy with the R4's in the snow.
gerard
Veteran Member
I do get a kick out of everyone who thinks there tires are the best! Without ever getting on a tractor simply looking at them and using a little logic will tell you which will have more tractive force in different conditions. Doesn't mean the other ones won't work, just that they may not work as well but it may not make a difference if it gets the job done for you.
Also you don't know how much better you could do unless you experience more traction with a different tire, chains, loaded etc. R4's are a good all purpose tire, no doubt. More plies than R1's ie tougher and stiffer sidewalls. Harder compound = longer wear=less traction than a softer compound. Ever see a farmer out in loose material (dirt, mud, snow) with anything but R1's? There's a reason for that. Deep mud? Use rice tires. I would also tend to disagree with the post that said R1's have no traction in reverse. They DO have less than going forward, but I can still get out of some pretty good muck while in reverse.
Also you don't know how much better you could do unless you experience more traction with a different tire, chains, loaded etc. R4's are a good all purpose tire, no doubt. More plies than R1's ie tougher and stiffer sidewalls. Harder compound = longer wear=less traction than a softer compound. Ever see a farmer out in loose material (dirt, mud, snow) with anything but R1's? There's a reason for that. Deep mud? Use rice tires. I would also tend to disagree with the post that said R1's have no traction in reverse. They DO have less than going forward, but I can still get out of some pretty good muck while in reverse.
SPYDERLK
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2006
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- VA
- Tractor
- JD2010, Kubota3450,2550, Mahindra 7520 w FEL w Skid Steer QC w/Tilt Tatch, & BH, BX1500
The R1s on my 7520 performed well in last years 2' snows even tho the tires were unloaded [water]. I had to do some fence clearing of snow downed trees with the "lightweight" tractor. The tufest was working in constricted space on the bottom of a hill, lifting a 12"pine and not having anywhere to put it. Even with the 1600# counterweight turning around was going to turn me over so I backed up the 15 degree hill in 20" snow. Constant progress but a LOT of spinning. I found seesawing the steering rapidly left/ right to be a telling factor. There was no question of getting stuck - I just didnt want to leave the tree.
larry
Deadman
Veteran Member
I had turfs on a JD 2210, and swapped them out for a set of R1's.
OMG, that tractor went from a Toy to a Monster! :thumbsup:
In snow, it plowed like a bulldozer. I told my dad how much better it was, and he didn't believe me. Then I went over there when he was plowing a 8 inch snowfall, and he was plowing it in 2 wheel drive! LOL With the turfs, you needed 4wd to do any real snow plowing! He said it was the best money he had spent in a long time!
OMG, that tractor went from a Toy to a Monster! :thumbsup:
In snow, it plowed like a bulldozer. I told my dad how much better it was, and he didn't believe me. Then I went over there when he was plowing a 8 inch snowfall, and he was plowing it in 2 wheel drive! LOL With the turfs, you needed 4wd to do any real snow plowing! He said it was the best money he had spent in a long time!
