Plowing with R4's ?

[blunosr]

Hi, I'm pretty much set on buying a Kubota MX5100, 4wd, 50hp. The one in the yard at the dealer has loaded R4's, but I want to plow, disc, run a 6' tiller, spring tooth harrows, cultivator, etc. in soft loamy soil for a vegetable operation.

Should I insist on Ag tires? I like the industrial rims better because they're heavier and wider than those used for the Ag's. Can I get wider Ag tires to fit the R4 rims?

It's the same price with R4's or Ag's, both loaded.

Thanks for any advice,

 

[ModMech]

I have been told that a 4x4 with R4s is as good, if not a little better than a 4x2 with R1s in terms of traction. But, my cousins who are active farmers SWEAR nothing beats a high quality R1 for traction, or a pair of them on each side if it's muddy.

Having used turf and R1s extensively there is a HUGE difference in traction but I have limited experience with R4s to compare. Based on the fact that you don't plan to use your tractor on the lawn, I'd say R1s all the way.

 

[wolc123]

I would also suggest the R1's, because they will let your tractor pull much harder on soft ground than it could with R4's. You are being ripped off if you pay the same price for the R1's as the dealer would charge for R4's. R1's for that tractor should cost you at least $400 less than R4's. If that dealer wont give you the R1's at a fair price, I would shop around a little.

 

[deere755]

R 1's for the type work you just mentioned. Its all I will use and I do the same type work you are wanting to do.

 

[Harvey9]

For what you describe, go with R1's.

 

[Oleozz]

I use my Kioti 45 hp for the same things you will be using your Kubota for, R1's are made for the type of ag work you are describing.

 

[jda1961]

get the ag tires, you'll be sorry if you get the industrials, they are made to slip so you don't tear up something when using it in an INDUSTRIAL setting thus the name industrial tires. when farming always get farming tires, its a no brainer

 

[TripleR]

I have to agree with everyone else. I have a L5030 with industrial tires and really like it, but when I need to do any farm type stuff like plowing, disking etc., I go get one with ag tires. There is a formula on maximum efficiency, ground speed, wheel slip and so on. Even though a tractor with industrial tires may pull a certain implement, it is not going to do so as efficiently as the same tractor with ag tires and it is going to cost you in time and fuel.

Goodyear use to make a pretty good compromise that we used on our Case, but they discontinued it.

 

[RalphVa]

My 4010 with turf tires (R3s?) will pull a soil ripper with all 7 cultivator tines buried.

Ralph

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you want to use a tractor to its full potential get R1's. For the work you want to do, in fresh plowed soil R1's are the only way to go. They will give you the most traction and not load up with mud as easily.

If they want to sell the tractor they will get you what you want. If not the economy is somehow better in there little bubble.:drool:


Chris

 

[Chilly807]

One thing we haven't mentioned yet is tire width. The R4's will give you slightly better flotation, but also the wider tires will act as a roller, re-compacting the soil.

My vote is for R1's in the situation you've described.

Chilly

 

[Arkaybee]

RalphVa
What brand ripper is that on your 4010? It appears to be missing one shank or is that an optical illusion?
How deep will those shanks rip?
Thanks for your consideration.
Arkaybee

 

[pat32rf]

Actually the wider tires will spread out the weight and NOT compact the soil as hard....but you sure won't have the traction in soft soil that the R1's will have....Of course with the 4wd you just might have ample traction with the R4s....If the soil is soft enough for the tread to sink in they do have traction, but if the soil is too hard for them to get a bite the way a R1 tread does, then they fall a little short. Its concentrating the tractor weight on the tire ribs that make the R1's better pullers....

 

[bp fick]

Ralph, and my BX1860 will pull all 6 tines of mine. But I gotta say, only with 4WD engaged. The R4s shown do all right, but I gotta believe that R1 would be slightly better. We didn't have all these conundrums 50 years ago when we got our Massey-Harris. One tire only. Folks were just glad to be off steel.

 

[JoelD]

R1 for you

soft soil and R4 pack up imediately and spin like you are on ice

enjoy the new machine

 

[gwdixon]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that R4's are wider than R1's so plowing will not be so great when running the tires in a furrow.

The R1's will follow the furrows, keep the plow straight, and the depth will be consistent (depending on the width of the plow - 12", 14", or 16"). Both front and rear tires should fit comfortably in the furrow.

 

[aczlan]

We have a L3830 with loaded R1s on it and it will pull our Oliver 3 bottom trailer plow (I think it has 14" bottoms, but I could be mistaken) pretty well. It will also pull our 9ish foot (when straight) disk without any real drama as long as the soil is not muddy. It would do better with some weight on the nose, but it does pretty well as it is. IMO, R4s would not give us the traction needed to pull the plow or disk.
We also have a B7510 with R4s on it which we use for loader work and mowing, it does ok, but it really needs more weight in the back to be effective.


Aaron Z

 

[buck12]

R1 for you

soft soil and R4 pack up imediately and spin like you are on ice

enjoy the new machine

I second that. Water + dirt+ R4's = 4 balls of mud. I am not trying to insult anyone's tires. I have R4's and they don't like mud.

 

[bp fick]

The work you described is all farm work, not general utility work. Since you are never, ever going to use that large tractor anywhere near a lawn, it makes little sense to get anything other than R1 - Ags. Switch them now, at no cost, and never look back.

 

[davygp38]

I have R-4s on my new L4400. I had R-1s on my DT3000. I went with the R-4s, because I found myself on asphalt, and concrete plowing snow. I also do some loader work, and the R-4s are better for weight distribution. I also do a lot of Bush hogging/mowing, and mostly land clearing for food plots, and fire wood cutting. When I am in the woods, I use Logging chains. In the spring I leave the chains on when mowing, or disking. When the ground dries out, I take the chains off. In my case, the Ag tires were not as versatile as the R-4s, with chains. Ag tires are no good on ice. If you have a heavy load on your loader, Ag tires want to deform, and break the bead. If you are doing any type of work on hardball, Concrete,or any hard surface, you will eat those tires. I am not theorizing, I made my decision based on the last five years with Ag tires. if this tractor is going to be your "do all," tractor, and it has a loader on it, consider the R-4s, with chains. If you are strictly plowing mowing, Go with the R-1s, but the dealer must knock off at least $100 per tire. That would be enough to buy logging chains for your new tractor, cause if you are doing that much plowing, you will need them.