Love of the R-4 Tire

[Deadman]

I just traded in a JD 2210 with R1's and got a 2520 with R4's. There is absolutely NO doubt that the 2210 would do more work in soft dirt or snow, simply because the tires had so much more traction.
I like these R4's because they are tough, and don't trash the lawn, but they really suck badly in mud, or snow. I am looking hard for chains, because I have no option. I'm dreading disking with these R4's already. I might have to get a Smaller disk because they're so useless.

I'm considering taking a tire cutting tool, and cutting about 1/3 of each lug off, so they can cut in better. I can't get stuck with the R4's, because they can't even dig a hole to get stuck in.

They're ok, but not the answer like most dealers claim.

 

[mazurrj]

I use my R4's in the woods mostly, cannot beat them. I'd rather sacfacife a little traction, for a heavier duty tire that may be a little less pron to flats considering the material i drive over. As was said get the tire for the type jobs you do.

 

[Champy]

I have R4's on my JD990 and just finished disking my fields without any problems at all. Then went through the loose soil afterwards and pulled a subsoiler through it as well - then another round of disking. Again, no problems with traction in either case.

Disclaimer is that it was not a sloppy wet / muddy field...........but I believe you pick your tires for the 85% duty cycle and usage modes that you feel is needed - and then don't complain about the other 15% of the situations where they are not "the best".

Even with R1 Ags, some farmers will still not go in wet fields either.

 

[_RaT_]

I have R4's on my JD990 and just finished disking my fields without any problems at all. Then went through the loose soil afterwards and pulled a subsoiler through it as well - then another round of disking. Again, no problems with traction in either case.

Disclaimer is that it was not a sloppy wet / muddy field...........but I believe you pick your tires for the 85% duty cycle and usage modes that you feel is needed - and then don't complain about the other 15% of the situations where they are not "the best".

Even with R1 Ags, some farmers will still not go in wet fields either.

Good point. I've mentioned it before, but there are times folks are out on tractors doing things that may be a bit premature. Discing mud or mowing water logged grass is probably not the best idea. If my soil was such that I could not get traction, I'd have R1's or something like it. I simply do not. Either works fine but the R1's definitely make ruts in my grass when I have to drive across the lawn to put the tractor in the shed.

 

[N80]

Good point. I've mentioned it before, but there are times folks are out on tractors doing things that may be a bit premature.

I think you are right. But for many of us, we do things when we can. This weekend I wanted to get the cowpeas planted in a couple of my food plots. It could be weeks before I get another chance. The ground was a little wet from a good rain about 3 days before. On small field was a little muddy and its on a slope. I was using my boxblade's teeth to turn the soil over (its all I have). Going up hill it was all I could do to keep forward motion and that's with 4wd 2-lo and R1s. But, it did it and everything came out just fine. R4s would have been useless.

Each tire type has its porper place, but there is almost nothing that I do where R4s would be a better choice.

 

[jbrumberg]

I have never had any type tire other than R-1's for over 20 years. I am still not venturing too far from my driveway and well drained areas due to the wet soil, underlying frozen ground (which may have been impacted by today's 81 degrees !), and heavy clay based soil (ie mud) everywhere else as I do not want to get stuck because R-1's "goo" forward in mud much better than in reverse (I learned this the hard way ; and unfortunately more than once .). Many of the guys who log with tractors in my area "reverse" their front R-1 tires to aid in going in reverse. I was "testing" my new toothbar (on what may be an immovable object) this weekend and found my R-1's starting to dig in to the point I would have buried myself in the current conditions had I continued. I say all this to add to the discussion that there is no perfect tire out there. R-1's for all their shortcomings work best for me considering my location, property, and primary uses. I am waiting for Mud Season to end . Jay

 

[_RaT_]

I have never had any type tire other than R-1's for over 20 years. I am still not venturing too far from my driveway and well drained areas due to the wet soil, underlying frozen ground (which may have been impacted by today's 81 degrees !), and heavy clay based soil (ie mud) everywhere else as I do not want to get stuck because R-1's "goo" forward in mud much better than in reverse (I learned this the hard way ; and unfortunately more than once .). Many of the guys who log with tractors in my area "reverse" their front R-1 tires to aid in going in reverse. I was "testing" my new toothbar (on what may be an immovable object) this weekend and found my R-1's starting to dig in to the point I would have buried myself in the current conditions had I continued. I say all this to add to the discussion that there is no perfect tire out there. R-1's for all their shortcomings work best for me considering my location, property, and primary uses. I am waiting for Mud Season to end . Jay

I built couple of homes near Camden, Maine. I left there in October. The great folks I met called me chicken. I was not sure what it meant but figured it had something to do with the cold that was just starting to set in. They said its not the cold so much that bugs them, its the thaw, the mud season. I guess if your earth gets frozen 3 or 4 feet deep, it takes awhile to thaw out.

 

[jbrumberg]

_Rat:

We have three seasons in NE: Winter, Mud, and Summer. It is hard to get used to . It is amazing how long that underground ice lasts. I do not even think about tilling the garden till the end of May; every year that I try tilling early I just have to replant everything . Jay

 

[shvl73]

I do not even think about tilling the garden till the end of May; every year that I try tilling early I just have to replant everything . Jay

Thats for sure. I'd be buried in mud if I tried. We're at least a month away.

 

[Highlander]

Right On jbrumburg! I just mounted four suitcase weights on the front of my 4300 and in the garden, the R-4's performed much better than without the weights but I still am going forward with my conversion to R-1's. I live on some hilly country in the great northwest and I am still shivering thinking about knocking down the gopher mounds come a few days when I'm on a side slope with the R-4's when I could be a lot more stable with the R-1's in the outer two positions. Yes, I could get the spacers for 700 smackers but I still could not achieve the traction of the R-1's. I guess growing up with a 4020 and pulling the wheels off the ground with nothing but torque pulling a manure spreader across our creek was nothing to brag about!