Tires Need R1s but can not find

homerjsimpson137 · Jul 15, 2019

Have Kubota L3200 with 27x8.50-15 R4 front tires and 15x19.5-15 rear tires. I hate the stock R4 tires and their about bald anyway and want to go with R1s but having trouble finding R4s in theses sizes. Any thoughts where I can source these? Im in Virginia. I really hate to purchase new tires and not get R1s.

chim · Jul 15, 2019

The R1's aren't the same size as the R4's:

Standard tires (ag): Front: 5.00-15. Rear: 11.2-24 (2WD)
Front: 7.2-16. Rear: 11.2-24 (4WD)

Lawn/turf front: 23x8.50-12 (2WD)
25x8.50-14 (4WD)
Lawn/turf rear: 13.6-16

Industrial front: 27x8.50-15 (4WD)
Industrial rear: 15-19.5

TractorData.com Kubota L32 tractor dimensions information

rScotty · Jul 15, 2019

Are you planning on getting new wheels to go with the R1 Ags?
You might have to unless yours is 2WD.
rScotty

kennyd · Jul 16, 2019

You'll need new rims too, so it will get expensive.
Can you run chains all the time?
Have you ever thought about grooving the R4's for better traction?

RickB · Jul 16, 2019

I’m not aware of any R1 tire in 19.5” diameter.

chim · Jul 16, 2019

kennyd said:
...................................Have you ever thought about grooving the R4's for better traction?

I've grooved two sets of R4's for snow and they work very well. Check Post # 652 in the thread below:

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

EDIT: If you need something for mud, even with the grooves the R4's aren't the best. R1's or chains would be the ticket.

JWR · Jul 16, 2019

I guess you ARE serious ! The last time I grooved tires was on my tricycle when I was 5 years old and needed better traction in the mud. Did it with a pen knife. Hard to do without cutting yourself.

Back to the OP: Swapping from R4 or turf to/from R1 AG tires is no small chore both dollar wise and work-wise. As posts #3 and #4 mention you will have to change wheels too, not just tires. I had a B2150 with big fat turf tires that were worthless in snow, using a snowblower, etc. Over the years i got frustrated with the issue and found a used B2150 mechanically identical to the one I had. (No where near as good a shape but originally mechanically identical.) The used one had AG R1 tires on it. Bought the used tractor, put the two side by side on the concrete and swapped all 8 wheels and tires. The R1 rears were loaded.

Very happy I did so. All 8 of the tires have some age on them but still work very well with zero problems.

You may want to look around for a used machine, do what you want to do tire wise and then resell the extra tractor. You will save a bundle of $ that way.

homerjsimpson137 · Jul 19, 2019

Thanks all for the info. It looks like I am screwed unless I want to spend a small fortune. New R4s seems like the best solution unless I find a set of R1 rims and tires which probably is not going to happen.