WilliamBos
Super Member
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- May 1, 2004
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- 5,268
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- Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
- Tractor
- MF 1635 12x12 Powershuttle
I agree. They are worthless. The only advantage they offer is longevity, but other than that, no advantage at all.
R4 Tire?
- Thread starter Conservation
- Start date
- Views: 11035
I agree. They are worthless. The only advantage they offer is longevity, but other than that, no advantage at all.
canoetrpr
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2005
- Messages
- 2,396
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040 cab/hyd shuttle - current, Kubota L3400 - traded
I have R4s and a completely flat driveway. That is about the only set of conditions that I find the R4s are ok in the snow. In hindsight, I think I would have gone with ags since I really have no 'lawn' applications with the tractor.
My pastures are quite wet in the spring and I was worrying about tearing them up with ags.... but heck.. they are pasture. Tearing them up is well worth the extra grip.
I cam to the conclusion wrt. R4s when I spent about 25 min in the ditch driving the tractor from my neighbours to my place. A snowmobiler was driving his snowmobile head on to my tractor... I don't know if he was playing a game of snowmobile chicken or what.... but I naturally moved a bit closer t the edge of the road. The road is nicely banked. I think I was at least a foot from the ditch and the tractor slid sideways and I was in the ditch! 25 min of loader Kung-foo later, I did manage to get out.....
Next year... I'm getting chains. A grown man does not belong in a ditch with his nearly brand new Kubota.
My pastures are quite wet in the spring and I was worrying about tearing them up with ags.... but heck.. they are pasture. Tearing them up is well worth the extra grip.
I cam to the conclusion wrt. R4s when I spent about 25 min in the ditch driving the tractor from my neighbours to my place. A snowmobiler was driving his snowmobile head on to my tractor... I don't know if he was playing a game of snowmobile chicken or what.... but I naturally moved a bit closer t the edge of the road. The road is nicely banked. I think I was at least a foot from the ditch and the tractor slid sideways and I was in the ditch! 25 min of loader Kung-foo later, I did manage to get out.....
Next year... I'm getting chains. A grown man does not belong in a ditch with his nearly brand new Kubota.
djradz
Veteran Member
Yes, it is my believe that the Titan's on my TC-40D are not very agressive. There is not much of an angle to the ribs and lots of open (non-rib) flat area.
One other observation: The tires are extremely large for the load of the tractor. I suspect traction would be somewhat improved by carrying a full bucket (I don't have one), a backhoe or other large rear implement, and loading the tires. Obviously, all this would have a detremental effect on fuel consumption, and my pocket book.
Lunk
Platinum Member
I think the throttle lever setting has more to do with fuel consumption than tractor weight, particularly if you're plowing snow. I run at 1600-2000RPM. Upper RPM only to coax a little more speed on occasion.
My tractor, with add-ons, weighs approx 7,000#, and doesn't seem to care what RPM's I plow at, as wheel slip will occur long before it stalls or bogs down. Whether you're running R-1's, R-4's, or R-3's, ballast makes the difference when plowing snow. It was true with my 2wd Ford 2000, the three 4wd p/u trucks I've owned with plows, and is still true with my 3510i. We've only had about 70" of snow this year, compared with 101" last year, and my driveway's only 100 yards long and only partially hilly, but I haven't had problems with my set up yet...Knock wood.
My .02
Lunk
I ain't had my r4's long enough to tell about the traction thing yet. Got them loaded,they are titans. They seem to do fairly well in what little mud I've had it in,no snow to speak of though.
They do make sideways hill mowing seem more stable,and they are better at punture resistance than most aggs I think,and they are easier on yard type ground,and looks like they'd support more weight than aggs,so,there are things they are better at than aggs.
Seems almost for sure ags would do better in mud and snow,nothing does well on ice.
Which leads me to my point,industrials with a good set of rear chains,seems like the best of both worlds. Put them on in late fall,take them off when snow stops in spring.
Think a good set for mine would cost about 500 with shipping? more or less. If I would need to do much snow moving or mud traveling would already have a set,and they would be on right now. Most its snowed at one time here all winter is about 2 inches,no ice and don't plan on running it through any real muddy places,so,I don't have any,yet.
They do make sideways hill mowing seem more stable,and they are better at punture resistance than most aggs I think,and they are easier on yard type ground,and looks like they'd support more weight than aggs,so,there are things they are better at than aggs.
Seems almost for sure ags would do better in mud and snow,nothing does well on ice.
Which leads me to my point,industrials with a good set of rear chains,seems like the best of both worlds. Put them on in late fall,take them off when snow stops in spring.
Think a good set for mine would cost about 500 with shipping? more or less. If I would need to do much snow moving or mud traveling would already have a set,and they would be on right now. Most its snowed at one time here all winter is about 2 inches,no ice and don't plan on running it through any real muddy places,so,I don't have any,yet.
Wheatland KB
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2007
- Messages
- 140
- Tractor
- Kubota L3400HST
I am running R4s for the first time in 30 years. They are a compromise for sure. I am using my tractor for very diverse applications (as most on TBN are) from snow removal to tilling to mowing to plowing on 5 acres. I am happy with the R4s but I also realize that I am giving up in some areas to gain in others. Less traction in some situations, better wear, less lawn distress. For clearing snow chains are a must once you use them once.
I think it is all about the application when choosing tread pattern.
I think it is all about the application when choosing tread pattern.
jimmyj
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2007
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- Ontario Canada
- Tractor
- Allis Chalmers 616 (Two) and a Kioti CK30 HST with loader and backhoe
I guess I will comment too (against my better judgement as I don't think the tire debate will ever end).
I've only got 48 hours on the new tractor with Titan R4's. Our drive has a 200 foot hill that is probably 20 degrees. At the least it's almost 20. I park the tractor in a shed about 450 feet away and it's also down a hill. I pack snow "roads" and groom them for the snowmobile with the tractor and a box blade.
Never had a problem so far - not even a whiff of a problem. The only time I almost got stuck was when I slipped off the side of a packed snow road and went into 2 to 3 foot deep snow. But I would have been stuck in that situation regarless of the tire.
I've only got 48 hours on the new tractor with Titan R4's. Our drive has a 200 foot hill that is probably 20 degrees. At the least it's almost 20. I park the tractor in a shed about 450 feet away and it's also down a hill. I pack snow "roads" and groom them for the snowmobile with the tractor and a box blade.
Never had a problem so far - not even a whiff of a problem. The only time I almost got stuck was when I slipped off the side of a packed snow road and went into 2 to 3 foot deep snow. But I would have been stuck in that situation regarless of the tire.
alchemysa
Veteran Member
In 'Kubotabooks' in the 'Miscellaneous' folder theres an informative article on tyres. Heres a page from the pdf illustrating the various tyre designs.
Kubotabooks.com
Kubotabooks.com
dking
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
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- 93
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Tractor
- Kioti DK45SE / Massey Furguson 165
and my two cents worth...
I had Titan R4's on my Kioit - they were not loaded but with weight on the 3pt hitch, like a snow blower, I never had any problem with traction, without the weight I had ok traction. I just got the Titan R1 Ags on - loaded - much, much better. I'm debating wether I'll even need chains now. First thing I need to do is head for the woods to do a test.
I had Titan R4's on my Kioit - they were not loaded but with weight on the 3pt hitch, like a snow blower, I never had any problem with traction, without the weight I had ok traction. I just got the Titan R1 Ags on - loaded - much, much better. I'm debating wether I'll even need chains now. First thing I need to do is head for the woods to do a test.
Well it snowed here,about 5 inches of real wet snow.
Took tractor out and pushed up a big pile for my little girl to play on.
Left it in 2wd,didn't spin a wheel,snow didn't clog up on tire,even took it up a little hill,so far,so good with them industrials!
I know thats not a real test or anything,but they worked good.
Like said,mine are loaded with methinal and water. I also lowered the air pressure down to about 19 or so[book says 30 period,talked about this though on other threads].
I think 19 might even be a little too much in rears. I also believe many run to much air in their industrial rear tires.
Like I said,ags have to be better in snow and mud,but industrials are better in many ways also,and if they will get you through what you need to get through,than they are just fine.
All this talk about industrials being like racing slicks or something is just that,talk in my opinion,now that I've ran it in some mud and snow. I was worried I'd be stuck in my garden and in 5-6 inches of snow! Ain't worried now.
Might get a set of chains just in case though.
Took tractor out and pushed up a big pile for my little girl to play on.
Left it in 2wd,didn't spin a wheel,snow didn't clog up on tire,even took it up a little hill,so far,so good with them industrials!
I know thats not a real test or anything,but they worked good.
Like said,mine are loaded with methinal and water. I also lowered the air pressure down to about 19 or so[book says 30 period,talked about this though on other threads].
I think 19 might even be a little too much in rears. I also believe many run to much air in their industrial rear tires.
Like I said,ags have to be better in snow and mud,but industrials are better in many ways also,and if they will get you through what you need to get through,than they are just fine.
All this talk about industrials being like racing slicks or something is just that,talk in my opinion,now that I've ran it in some mud and snow. I was worried I'd be stuck in my garden and in 5-6 inches of snow! Ain't worried now.
Might get a set of chains just in case though.