R-1 vs R-4 tires

[rbargeron]

Besides TractorByNet, I do some keyboard punching at forums for motorcycles, cars, and boats. They all have categories for "discussions that will go on forever without actually resolving anything" - like oil change timing, heated grips, tire wear ratings, exhaust sound, etc. all of which are matters of individual choice based on some factors that are objective, and some that aren't.

In buying my present tractor I did some research and decided I wanted a Kubota L5450HDT with R1 rubber. Then I stumbled onto a good deal on a used L5450HDT in great shape that was available either with R4's or no tires at all. I picked the R4's

 

[SnowRidge]

Besides TractorByNet, I do some keyboard punching at forums for motorcycles, cars, and boats. They all have categories for "pointless discussions that will go on forever without resolving anything" - like oil change timing, heated grips, tire wear ratings, exhaust sound, etc. all of which are matters of individual choice based on some factors that are objective, and many more that aren't.

Threads like this are far from pointless. They expose the pros and cons of the tire types to people who are new to the tractor game. Without this information, a lot of folks would have no clue what to look for in a tire or why. This beats the heck out of them simply being at the mercy of the sales dude.

 

[rbargeron]

I agree - I edited my post to take out the "pointless" word - that's actually the name of the discussion at another forum - but I agree it's inappropriate - my bad. This has always been a place where questions are given helpful answers. The part about not reaching a conclusion is often true, though. Someone always sees things differently.

 

[n8wrl]

Besides TractorByNet, I do some keyboard punching at forums for motorcycles, cars, and boats. They all have categories for "discussions that will go on forever without actually resolving anything" - like oil change timing, heated grips, tire wear ratings, exhaust sound, etc. ...

You can get heated grips on a motorcycle? Why would you want to do that?



-Brian

 

[N80]

Then I stumbled onto a good deal on a used L5450HDT in great shape that was available either with R4's or no tires at all.

Hmmm. Tough choice.

I picked the R4's

I probably would have done the same.

Seriously, these discussions do have value. I learned something in this one.

 

[art]

The difference to me selling a tractor would be the uses! If the tractor is mostly for on the lawn then the R-4's don't rut as much. If it is for the back forty with tillage or traction needed then it's easily the R-1's! If it is for a mix of uses mostly back forty with heavy or tight soils like clay, again the R-1's!!!

 

[slowzuki]

I've got extensive posts on R-1W's. They are a good option in wet areas.
The L5030 fronts that come on it in R1 option are too narrow and are like pizza cutters with a full bucket.
In general the R-4 have a tougher carcass, they ride rougher and wear longer. The R-1 has better traction, is cheaper, better ride etc.

 

[Don R.]

When the dealer delivered my 4740 (the first time), it had the R1 Ag tires. I didn't like the look of the tires, and as has been stated, the front tires would do damage to the tracts which I work on. I sent the tractor back to the dealer, and he put the R4 Industrial tires on. Now, can I get out and really tear up the turf with the Industrials? Nope. But, unless I"m going to be "mudding" then the Ags are really too aggressive for my taste.

I did have a 2800 with the Industrials that I used to pull a Jeep Grand Cherokee out of a muddy field (the boy went mudding and buried it to the frame). The Indies did lose traction to some degree; but it pulled the Jeep out.

I suppose it is like the "which is better, Fords or Chevies" question. It depends on the individual.

 

[Harry c]

OK guys. I have a perspective I haven't seen yet. I bought my BX24 with turf tires although I did (and still) have some serious dirt work to do. I also mow, aerate, plow the garden, vacuum the leaves and haul mulch to the flower beds. I'm pretty careful to plan my work so I don't end up with serious traction problems and the turf tires have done surprisingly well. They really provide pretty much the same level of traction on DAMP ground as do the R-4s. If its too wet for the turfs, I leave the tractor in the garage. Now the problem... Turf tires pick up tremendous amounts of mud in the tread and haul it back to my concrete driveway and into my garage! My wife harrasses me endlessly about tracking the dried red clay from the garage, through the basement and into the house. I'm seriously considering changing tires just so the mud will fall off!

 

[air19]

I went through this same decision process for my M7040 regarding tires two months ago. I went with R4s for my particular uses and I'm glad I did.
Previously I owed a similar sized Kubota M5030DT with R1s for about 10 years.

My tractor uses are bushhogging 60 acres of rough fields twice a year, maintaining 20 miles of ski trails going through about 500 acres of woods - which includes trail surface work as well as tree removal, and some loader work.

Over the last 5 years I went through 5 R1 front tires that were destroyed mowing my fields, mostly from sidewall damage against rocks. I also was limited in the amount of time I could work out on my trails because of wet conditions and tire ruts that the R1s could too easily create. And some years I couldn't mow the fields in May or June because of wet conditions.

I went with R4s for two reasons - durability and better floatation. And when I really need extra traction, I simply throw on a set of front chains - takes about 10 minutes now. With my R4s and chains I don't think I'm missing anything that I could do with my R1s.

However, I don't do any ground work in the fields where R1s are the best. It all gets back to your particular needs. When you have that pinned down, then there will be a best tire type to get.

- Mike