Kubota L3901, L4701 or MX4800 for Sloped 10 Acre Parcel and Home Build

[Code54]

There is a lot of debate on the best direction or way to go up a hill. I mow some 30 degree slopes and go both forward and others I back up. Really for me it depends on what is at the top and do I have room to turn around. One place we have a bldg. at the top so I back up that slope so the mower can get close to the building. I leave my loader on so that adds a little weight to the front which doesn't hurt. The MX does well on hills and going up and down has never been an issue. I ALWAYS lose traction before having any concerns about flipping.

 

[RickB]

It matters little, except be sure to use 4WD, especially when the front is downhill.

 

[Dr G]

Most, if not all tire manufacturers have extensive dimensional data online for all current offerings.

Thanks for the tip. Yes indeed they did. The results show the provided R4 rear tire is notably shorter than the R1, and would lower the rear of the tractor about 1-5/8". Not a world of difference but maybe something to factor in the decision.

 

[Dr G]

Actually now I note the "static loaded radius" which is probably more relevant. This would indicate a lowering of only 1.15"

The R4 sidewall is presumably a bit stiffer?

Gustave

 

[jeff9366]

The R4 sidewall is presumably a bit stiffer?

Usually R4 tires are considered to be stiffer than R1 tires. Usually R4 tires are 6-ply and R1 tires are 4-ply, with R1 flexibility consifdered to add to traction.

UNUSUALLY the R1 tires in your chart are 10-ply, while the R4 tires are the usual 6-ply. So UNUSUALLY the R1 tires in your chart probably have sidewalls stiffer than the R4 tires in your chart.

 

[ericm979]

To compare the track width of R1s and R4s you'll have to measure the actual setup you're considering, with the wheels set up as you wish if they're adjustable. Manufacturers don't provide enough information there. Usually what they list is for R1s only. Many tractors have adjustable wheels both for R1s and R4s.

Shorter tires will lower the center of gravity making the tractor more stable on hills. It will also reduce the ground clearance of course. I had slightly smaller R4s put on my Branson, with spacers on the non adjustable rears, for stability. I have not been bothered by the reduction in ground clearance but I try to be aware of what I'm driving over.

When going up very steep slopes I back up in 4wd, keeping the loader low. It would take an extremely steep slope to get a tractor to go over that way though.

 

[RickB]

R4s in these applications are dished out and non reversible.

 

[Dr G]

Usually R4 tires are considered to be stiffer than R1 tires. Usually R4 tires are 6-ply and R1 tires are 4-ply, with R1 flexibility consifdered to add to traction.

UNUSUALLY the R1 tires in your chart are 10-ply, while the R4 tires are the usual 6-ply. So UNUSUALLY the R1 tires in your chart probably have sidewalls stiffer than the R4 tires in your chart.

I see what you are saying Jeff. I did notice more than one 26" R1 tire listed on the Titan website, but was not sure what the difference was. So i just picked the first one. Now, looking more carefully, I see that the second two types both seem to be 6-ply. I do not see any 4-ply R1 tires in this size and type on their website. All three 26" R1 tire types have the same listed static loaded radius. But in line with your comment, the 10-ply tire, with a 32% higher rated load should be stiffer, and therefore deflect less under load. So I'm not sure how much stock to put in these numbers.

 

[RickB]

I see what you are saying Jeff. I did notice more than one 26" R1 tire listed on the Titan website, but was not sure what the difference was. So i just picked the first one. Now, looking more carefully, I see that the second two types both seem to be 6-ply. I do not see any 4-ply R1 tires in this size and type on their website. All three 26" R1 tire types have the same listed static loaded radius. But in line with your comment, the 10-ply tire, with a 32% higher rated load should be stiffer, and therefore deflect less under load. So I'm not sure how much stock to put in these numbers.

Lower ply tires deflect a similar amount at rated load as higher ply tires because as plies decrease so does the rated load. Therefore loaded radius remains the same. These are manufacturers numbers, you can trust them more than the average keyboard jockeys pontification.

 

[Rex007]

What is the price for the Kabota MX4800 w4x4 in your area