Looking for tire recommendations for compact tractor

[Kefergus]

Hello everyone, I'm new around here. I have a kioti ck20s that I just picked up and need some opinions. I've read about every thread on here about tires but hopefully I can get some advice on my specific situation.

What's important to me (in order)
-front end loader work
-snow traction
-mud traction
-dirt traction

What I'm not really concerned about
-mowing or marking up grass (by the time I grow grass I will buy a small rider with turf tires)
-travelling on pavement

Currently the tractor has turf tires, which I don't think are ideal for my use. Would a R1, R4 (loaded and/or with chains for either??) be more appropriate and if so, which one and why.

Thanks to all! And if this is in the wrong section please feel free to move it.

 

[Diggin It]

I had all four R4s loaded with Rimguard. It's a pretty stiff ride but I haven't noticed any squatting under load.

I don't do snow though.

 

[oosik]

I have R-1's with loaded rears. I lift very, very heavy loads with my grapple and have not rolled the front tires off the rims. The loaded rear tires - Rimguard - add 1550 pounds to the tractor weight. If you will be working in mud, snow & dirt - I would DEFINITELY recommend R-1 tires. That is, if you want optimum traction.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Hello everyone, I'm new around here. I have a kioti ck20s that I just picked up and need some opinions. I've read about every thread on here about tires but hopefully I can get some advice on my specific situation.

What's important to me (in order)
-front end loader work
-snow traction
-mud traction
-dirt traction

What I'm not really concerned about
-mowing or marking up grass (by the time I grow grass I will buy a small rider with turf tires)
-travelling on pavement

Currently the tractor has turf tires, which I don't think are ideal for my use. Would a R1, R4 (loaded and/or with chains for either??) be more appropriate and if so, which one and why.

Thanks to all! And if this is in the wrong section please feel free to move it.

You might be surprised how well the turf work for some of these jobs. Mud and snow (depending on how much) chains are pretty easy to add/subtract when needed. Give them a chance, besides when you figure out how much a set of tires is, you might decide turfs aren’t so bad

 

[oosik]

ddbackhoe makes a good point. Try what you have - that may work for your situation. New tires ARE expensive. You can always upgrade if you need added traction.

 

[chim]

My approach to tire selection is a bit like meal selection at familiar restaurants. Agonize over the menu and then get the same thing because you like it. Most of us are pretty opinionated about what works best for us and the trouble is we view life based on our little piece of the earth.

My last 3 tractors have had R4's with liquid in the rears. The last 2 were grooved all the way around. I mow without the loader on and can get on the area near the creek a couple days after floodwaters recede. The L4240 is the largest, heaviest lawn mower to date and is the most gentle on the grass. It must be due to the tire contact area to tractor weight ratio.

Have a look at Post# 652 in the first link for my first-hand experience and Post# 11 in the second for 3 different tests by Neil Messick.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a-66.html

Tires??? - Page 2 - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[BRMyers]

I have R4s on my L3560 and dad has R1s on his MF383 and MF275. The R1s dig into the dirt a lot more than the R4s. Yet, I have pulled him out twice now and I have yet to get stuck, but I also have 4WD, his is 2WD. My tires are filled and so far have been able to do the loader work I would like to complete.

 

[Diggin It]

Those extra 2 wheels make all the difference. In the short time I've had mine, I've found myself going nowhere in 2WD quite a few times. Switch over to 4WD and I'm back on my way. But R4s on mud? Like that tagline in the old TV Sitcom --- Sit on it and spin.

 

[nards444]

R1's are the best traction bar none. With that said I wouldn't be replacing anything until you try it out. Second if i were you if you had to go with R4s that way you have a good all around tire forever

 

[Egon]

Turfs have good traction on snow or ice and with chains work well in anything. The R4痴 are the sturdiest and with chains all points of traction are met. R1痴 are good in dirt but fall at wayside for snow & ice. With chains they are good for all conditions.

Keep the turfs and buy chains. That may be the low cost option.