Are R4's Really Bad In The Snow?

[coollx]

I just took delivery of my new 2520. My original order, based on the dealer's recommendation, was for R4 tires. He delivered the tractor with Turf's (R3) and said as soon as another tractor he has coming in with R4's arrives he will send someone to my house and switch them.

I've been looking through the archives regarding R4 vs R3 and it seems opinions and recommendations are pretty well split.

So, I'm wondering whether to keep the Turf's or let them switch them for
R4's?

My 2520 has a loader, backhoe and front mount snowblower. I won't be mowing with the 2520 but will be doing a lot of yard work which will involve driving around on the grass quite a bit. I've previously owned a JD 4100 and two JD 855's all with turf tires and really never had a problem so I'm wondering which tires to go with.

I also noticed that some people were indicating the R4's are more rugged then Turf's and may have more plies? Is this true?

Will the R4's handle the weight of the backhoe better when doing loader work to move material from point A to point B? With only a few hours of seat time on my new tractor I do seem to notice some swaying in the back of the tractor when making turns?

The archives I found seem to suggest the R4's are not good in the snow and since I spend a lot of time clearing snow in the winter that concerns me.

I can imagine that the R4's will be better for loader work but are they that bad in the winter in the snow?




Btw, in the winter for clearing snow I've always just left the tractors in 4WD which may be the reason I've never had a problem.

 

[k0ua]

Might want to read this whole thread

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

James K0UA

 

[newt92]

I have a set of both for my 2520. IMO, the R4s are much better for loader work. They are 6ply I think, vs 4 ply on the R3s. R4s do ride rougher due to being stiffer. R3s are great IMO in the snow, better than the R4s. I use the loader/rear blade for snow removal. The tread pattern on the R3s are so far spaced on the rear tires, they give a great bite. Now for working in mud, they both stink!!

I run the R3s for winter and early spring while rolling yards, then the R4s go on until the next winter.

 

[Thomas]

2 years..mud/snow not one problem w/R4's,you could purchase set tire chains for turfs until your really sure...chains w/turf tires are good combo even in deep snow.

 

[smalltown]

coollx I wondered the same thing R3 or R4.
The R3 tires I have seen on the new 2520 are a Carlile brand.
They sure did seem to have an agressive tread on them. I wanted to find a picture of them on the web, but didn't find any.
I also will use them in the snow, but primarily mowing in the summer.

Do you kow what model Carlile tire you have?

PS It seems to me the tread on these R3 turfs aren't like previous treads I have seen on turf tires.

 

[whistlepig]

I have R4's and they do a fair job on snow. I had R1's on my previous tractor. I have never been overly impressed with R1 or R4 tractor tires performance in the snow. I bought chains for my R4's this past winter after three winters not using chains. I consider the chains one of the best investments I have ever made.

 

[glc24]

I didn't have chains last winter,and spun constantly. Bought them for this winter and,oh man,what a difference. IMO,R4s' and chains are a great combo.:thumbsup:

 

[smalltown]

Agree chains are a great addition, however (there is always a however) they can do a job on a garage floor if your not careful all the time.


P.S. just wanted to say that your ballast box is unbelievably great !

 

[whistlepig]

They will tear up a concrete garage floor. I put rubber horse mats in my garage to protect the floor.

 

[ayelvington]

R4 are "fine" in snow, but you will save yourself a lot of grief if you invest in chains (regardless of your tread).

 

[castiman]

I just bought the same set up as you minus the backhoe, had a 2305 before with the r4's and I never had any problems snowblowing, and I have a couple of hilly areas to go up to get around back.

 

[RoyJackson]

When I had R-4's (on a previous tractor) I had occasional trouble. However, I'm also suggesting chains for the rear tires.
I have R-3's now, and the chains go on around mid-November (south central PA here...Coollx, in upstate NY, might want them on earlier).

This is a good time to buy them, BTW. If you wait until winter, your size may not be available.
Try www.tirechains.com. They have a good selection and can recommend which would best suit your needs.
You'll need about 2"-2.5" clearance between the tire and fender, so you may have to swap those R-4's side to side.

 

[coollx]

coollx I wondered the same thing R3 or R4.
The R3 tires I have seen on the new 2520 are a Carlile brand.
They sure did seem to have an agressive tread on them. I wanted to find a picture of them on the web, but didn't find any.
I also will use them in the snow, but primarily mowing in the summer.

Do you kow what model Carlile tire you have?

PS It seems to me the tread on these R3 turfs aren't like previous treads I have seen on turf tires.

smalltown, the R3's currently on my 2520 are Carlisle 36X14.00-15 MULTI TRAC C/S. Actually, the tread is fairly open and looks pretty aggressive.

 

[smalltown]

coollx I think that's the tire I saw at my local JD dealer. I will be driving by his lot later and try to take a photo to compare.

My point is as yours that this is a turf tire but seems to have a agressive tread pattern.

 

[Chuck on lake]

I have the large R4 tires on my 3720. By the time it arrived this past winter our road had really packed down and had some ice on it due to a little rain that froze. I am not using chains.........yet! The biggest problem I noticed was lateral control especially with the snowblower on. I found myself frequently using the individual brakes to correct the direction the tractor was going. I didn't think forward or reverse traction was that much of a problem. I am considering putting chains on only the front tires next winter to get better direction control. I would appreciate any comments on that idea from anyone. I live in northern Minnesota and we had a pretty tough winter this year. Much more snow than normal.

 

[coollx]

As I mentioned in my original post, I normally always clear snow (both with the loader or front mount snowblower) with the tractor in 4WD which might explain why I didn't have a problem getting around with my turfs. I also use the ballast box filled with gravel on the back.

Do the rest of you also clear snow in 4WD?

 

[RoyJackson]

Do the rest of you also clear snow in 4WD?

For the most part, yes...

I have cleared snow using 2WD (chains on the rear R-3 tires) and the steering brakes. That worked OK, but it's not as convenient as using the 4WD.

 

[North585]

I always plow/snowblow in 4WD on my X585 (turfs). The odd time when it's icy, I need to use the diff lock to keep moving forward. I find that the front tires will slide a bit laterally when I'm ramming into a hard pack of heavy snow, but nothing too crazy.

On the 2720 with R4s, 4WD all the time in snow....2WD does nothing but spin, even when not pushing snow in the bucket.

I've thought about chains for the 2720 (not needed for the X585) but don't want to tear up the concrete and I don't use it too much for snow removal.

 

[scesnick]

I live up over a mountain on a 2.5 mile dirt/gravel road that I have to plow.
I bought a Kubota MX5100 last winter because of the severe snow. My old Yanmar just wasn't cutting it. The Kubota had R-4's when It was delivered. it would not make it up over the mountain in the deep stuff. There was actually two steep places I particular trouble with.

Then, I traded the R-4's for the R-1's that I wanted in the first place and this winter I zipped right up over the trouble spots no problem at all.

 

[Don87]

I have a fairly steep paved driveway. Last year my neighbor slid dowm my driveway, almost into the road with R4's.

When I purchased the Massey, I got it with R3's, and ordered chains. No worries about sliding into the highway:thumbsup: