New R14 tires.

[John_Mc]

I'm running R4 tire now. I do a lot of loader work, and also wanted the sidewall toughness for work in the woods. I've been debating going to R14 tires when these wear out, but can't find info on whether the sidewall toughness is there as compared to the R4

 

[LouNY]

I'm running R4 tire now. I do a lot of loader work, and also wanted the sidewall toughness for work in the woods. I've been debating going to R14 tires when these wear out, but can't find info on whether the sidewall toughness is there as compared to the R4

From what I've read it sounds like 4 or 6 ply similar to an R1 so it will flex and put a good foot print down.

 

[John_Mc]

From what I've read it sounds like 4 or 6 ply similar to an R1 so it will flex and put a good foot print down.

Are you talking sidewall plies or tread plies?

It's often the sidewall plies that are lower rating in R1/Ag tires as compared to R4/Industrial. When I contacted the tire manufacturer a couple of years ago, I got a non-answer: all they wanted to talk about was traction, not sidewall strength. It's been a while since I looked into it, however.

 

[LouNY]

The "plys" will depend on the tire design and ratings. The bias ply tires will have the plys running crosswise diagonally on the tire carcass, a radial will have the main plies running with the circumference of the tire.
Most R-1, R-3, R-3 and R14 tires will be constructed with 4-8 ply ratings regardless of construction design. Even then those are just "ratings" not the number of actual plys.
Many of the R-4 tires will have a higher ply rating, 8-12 are not uncommon making for a stiff carcass with less flex when inflated to design specs., also resulting in a smaller foot print on the ground.

Skidder tires are constructed with several feathers different from tractor tires, such as rubber that is more cut resistant then that used in ag tires. They are also often used with chains for traction enhancement year round.

In many cases stronger sidewalls result in stiffer lower traction tire foot prints. So it ends up as a balancing act of the desired characteristics.
More traction or tougher, which may be effected by the desired use of the tire, tractor, loader, skidder, all different performance issues.

 

[oosik]

My first tractor - Ford 1700/4WD - had R-1 Goodyear. After 27 years the tires were worn but still in good shape. I think a whole lot of tire problems relate to exposure to the sun and UV. My tractors have always been garaged.

 

[LouNY]

My first tractor - Ford 1700/4WD - had R-1 Goodyear. After 27 years the tires were worn but still in good shape. I think a whole lot of tire problems relate to exposure to the sun and UV. My tractors have always been garaged.

Many tractors will get several thousand hours on a set of tires, the fronts (on a 4wd) will usually be replaced 2-3 times before it's time do do the rears. My IH574 has an unknown 1000's of hours on it and the rear tires, if it was being used on hard pulling jobs it would need new sneakers but as it's a generator and backup tractor that doesn't get much mileage on the tires they still hold air and only have a couple of repair boots inside the tires they still work.

these tires have numerous cracks in the treads and sidewalls each one has at least two boots in them to patch punctures/tears in the carcass. But they still hold air and keep the chains on for the winters.
If they were on a primary tractor doing lots of work I'd change them, but even when the tractor gets a hundred hours on the engine she is likely to only get 5-10 miles on the tires.