R1 or R4 tires? Newbie needs help....

felonius · Sep 27, 2005

I'm new to this forum and need some help choosing tires.

I am about to purchase my first tractor to clean up and maintain a piece of land I bought in Virginia. It's 40 acres about 1/2 wooded and 1/2 in pasture. I have pretty much decided on a 4WD Deere 5205 with a loader, but need to choose between R1 and R4 tires. I will be using the tractor initially for clearing out cut timber, dead wood and brush. Later on it will be used for bush hogging/mowing and general farm tasks.

The land is hilly and there are some bottom areas in the pasture that can get a bit boggy when it rains. I'd guess the R1 tires would give me more traction if it gets muddy, but may preclude me from using it to mow areas that may be seeded for lawn in the future.

Any opinions on benefits of R1 vs. R4 would be appreciated.

inveresk · Sep 28, 2005

I faced this problem when I bought my tractor recently. I have a mixed workload to undertake including woodland clearing/thinning and some fairly heavy construction work. We're also pretty hilly. Following completion of our projects here, the tractor will be on lighter, maintenance duty. After discussions with the dealer, I went with Ag. tires which are definitely right for the heavy work we've to do. However, when I traverse lawns, I really have to go easy. If I turn sharply or fast, the ag. tires can very easily tear the grass even at the current time when it's hard packed due to no rain for three months. When the wet weather comes and the ground softens, I imagine the problem will be worse. Tearing the grass might also be aggravated by the fact that I have a FEL and backhoe fitted, giving a total weight of over 6000lbs for tractor and implements.. When the heavy work is done and I'm mostly on 3ph work, maybe the problem won't be so bad. Difficulty is I don't think we could have carried out the heavy work we need to do with industrial tires. Maybe by the time we've finished our heavy work in 2 - 3 years, the tractor will need to be reshod and we can change to R4's. Until then, I guess I've just got to learn to tiptoe around the landscaped areas.

BB_TX · Sep 28, 2005

I think for your primary uses, the R1 are the better choice. The 5205 is a bit much for general lawn mowing. The 5205 for the heavy work and a lawn tractor for the lawn would be best.

Dk45_Jeff · Sep 28, 2005

I agree with the previous posters. I don't know where you are in VA, but if you have the same red clay as in Spotsylvania the R1s are the better choice. But if I so much as roll across the lawn after a morning dew the machine leaves deep tread imprints.

LBrown59 · Sep 28, 2005

( If I so much as roll across the lawn after a morning dew the machine leaves deep tread imprints. )

How big and how hevey is the machine ?

I don't see this as a problem with the lighter compacts and sub compacts.

jjcc246 · Sep 28, 2005

I have had both. The r1's when I was in the woods did a great job, but when I went on the lawn they tore it up. I now have r4's and with the 4x4 I have no problems in the muck (use the fel to help push youself out if your stuck) and no tearing on the lawn when I brush hog. The other thing that helps the lawn is take it out of 4 wheel drive and the front tires won't did in when you turn. Hope it helps.

felonius · Sep 28, 2005

Thanks for the input. We do have red clay soil here, so I'll probably go with the R1's.

Does anyone know about what it would cost to buy a set of R4's if I want to switch? Would I also have to replace the wheels/rims due to a different tire profile if I wanted to switch from R1 to R4?

Todd_C · Sep 28, 2005

I live in Southwest VA and I went with the R4 tires. I have heavy wooded areas and a good size lawn. I went with the R4 because of the ply rating for my size tractor (6ply vs 4ply). I also have chains for my tractor which helps. I can say that the industrial tires work fine for most duties; however, I have found they don't work well in loose wet clay. I got stuck not long ago and used the FEL to get unstuck. In most cases R4 tires cost more than Ag tires. You can always purchase chains if you want R4s.

DrewL · Sep 29, 2005

R4's............you won't be disappointed

Dk45_Jeff · Sep 29, 2005

LBrown59,

 How big and how hevey is the machine ? 

6000+ with FEL, BH and loaded tires. I agree its a weight issue, but the 5205 felonius mentioned is in the same weight class.