Looking for tire advice for Deere 770

[NickTaylor]

Hello all,

I have a 1998 Deere 770 with MFWD. I purchased it used 15 years ago with original R1 rears (Firestone field & road 12.4-16) and replaced the fronts when I bought it with Carlisle 6-12 farm specialist R1s. The fronts are starting to fail, and the rears are finally dry rotting, time to replace all four. Thinking about switching to something other than the R1s. I do mostly bush hogging 12 hilly acres, trail mowing in the woods, some loader work (moving mulch, firewood), and occasionally wood chipping with a pretty heavy Woodland Mills 3 point wood chipper. The reading I've done on R4s doesn't sound very encouraging (lots of stories of them loading up and losing traction?), but the new R14s seem to be getting good reviews. Has anyone put R14s on a 770 or 790? Any recommendations on tire vendor / size in order to maintain my MFWD specs?

My current rims are stamped 12x4JA (front) and W11x16 (rear).

I couild just go back with R1s, but want to think about other options before just going back to these really aggressive bar tires.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LouNY]

I switched one tractor over to BKT IT 696's.
I think they are a better choice then the R14's, I do have r14's on the little Kioti and they do good.

The BKT sitting side by side with the R1 it's replacing.

 

[Spindifferent]

It really sounds like all of your tractor uses would be best suited with traditional R4 tires. If you are not doing any serious ground-engaging work that requires the most traction, then R1 tires may not be the best choice. Seems like you already know this...

That said, I just replaced the R4s on my 20-year-old JD 3520 (tires starting to dry-rot) with the following on the front: Carlstar Trac Chief 6 ply, and Carlstar Ground Force 400 R4 14 ply G rating on the rear. All have great reviews, and I've been happy with them so far for the same uses as you. I've also used them for tilling with my reverse-rotation tiller and they have better traction than the original Galaxy R4s. Most of my tractor use is bush hogging and loader work.

No experience with the R14s, and they look interesting, but wonder why you think you need them based on what you use the tractor to do. If the majority of time on your tractor was tilling, discing, plowing, chiseling (working the ground), with a little bit of the bush hogging and loader work, then traditional R1s would likely be best.

My opinion is to look for the highest-quality R4s you can afford. Titan, Galaxy, Goodyear, Calstar all have lots of models and sizes. BUT, this may well require different rim sizes for the R4s.

My biggest issues with the new tires were actually finding a reseller that had my sizes in stock, and then finding someone to install the new tires. And, there was the cost of it all...

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Peter 315]

I had a JD 770 with turf tires swapped over to R4's had to change the rear rims.

 

[LouNY]

It really sounds like all of your tractor uses would be best suited with traditional R4 tires. If you are not doing any serious ground-engaging work that requires the most traction, then R1 tires may not be the best choice. Seems like you already know this...

That said, I just replaced the R4s on my 20-year-old JD 3520 (tires starting to dry-rot) with the following on the front: Carlstar Trac Chief 6 ply, and Carlstar Ground Force 400 R4 14 ply G rating on the rear. All have great reviews, and I've been happy with them so far for the same uses as you. I've also used them for tilling with my reverse-rotation tiller and they have better traction than the original Galaxy R4s. Most of my tractor use is bush hogging and loader work.

No experience with the R14s, and they look interesting, but wonder why you think you need them based on what you use the tractor to do. If the majority of time on your tractor was tilling, discing, plowing, chiseling (working the ground), with a little bit of the bush hogging and loader work, then traditional R1s would likely be best.

My opinion is to look for the highest-quality R4s you can afford. Titan, Galaxy, Goodyear, Calstar all have lots of models and sizes. BUT, this may well require different rim sizes for the R4s.

My biggest issues with the new tires were actually finding a reseller that had my sizes in stock, and then finding someone to install the new tires. And, there was the cost of it all...

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I detest R4's wet pastures and hills they are ridiculous. Hard packed gravel or pavement they are fine.

 

[beenthere]

I prefer the R4's for woods work, brush mowing, loader work, and only find them coming up short in the woods when spring thaw leaves the trails a bit muddy. Good for going on the lawn without leaving a mark. All in all, I'd suggest the R4's but have not run the R14's. Hope you find the best tire for you.

 

[Jaygyver]

Be aware 6-12 is NOT the same size as the 6.00-12's that came OEM on the tractor, there's almost 2 inch's difference in the diameter. You have to make sure you get the right size because of the MFWD. I bought my '97 JD-770 in '98 and had an issue finding front tires a few years ago. I looked around for months and finally found BKT's (I think ?) that were the right size.
Whatever way you go just make sure you find someone that knows the formula for the MFWD when updating your wheels and tires. My JD dealer was zero help in that.
You also have to remember that our 770 isn't the heaviest tractor so the traction will be different with the R-4's so I would probably go with the R-14's for the middle ground. They do make different tread patterns also.

I live in the PNW and for the most part left mine in 4x4 almost all the time except when on asphalt. When I replaced the fronts a couple of years ago the rears were still probably 60%. It's been stored in my unheated shop 98% of its life so there isn't any age cracking. The next time I need tires I will probably go with R-14's but for now I'm staying with the R-1's.

I bought a 35hp LS a few years ago and it came with r-4's but I wanted the R-1's but they were back ordered for months. I've had to pull the LS out of the mud twice with my 770 because of the r-4's. Didn't want to tear up the yard any more "bucketing out". (Using the bucket to get out.)
I am leaning towards the R-14's on the LS as a best of both worlds but I will probably have to change wheels also, at least I would have to if I went with the R-1's.