R4's are USELESS!

[Todd_C]

I was going to stay out of this until today. I've been happy with my R4 tires for the most part. Today, I felt like cutting all four tires on my TC 40A. My neighbor called and asked if I would level out the dirt next to his storage shed that is on a slight incline. The first few passes went well then my R4s loaded up with mud. The back end lost traction as I was turning and I just knew she was going to turn over. I didn't even have anything in the bucket. The back end started sliding around to the front of the tractor. I still don't know how I managed to keep it from turning over. I couldn't speed up because I had the darn thing in low range. I had a two bottom plow on the back and my rear tires are filled. I couldn't even back up the hill. I told my neighbor I would try it again after the ground dried more. I drove back home with a burised ego and a set of muddly slicks.

 

[638]

How about shaving down the width of the bars on the R4s. Something like they do on the tires that are on pulling tractors (you know, at the fair grounds).

ron

 

[Deadman]

I'm thinking about it for sure, just don't have the Marbles to put a knife to my tires yet!

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Attached should be a photo from this morning.

We had a thaw, then rain then it froze into a sheet of ice before it snowed again, I have to wear ice creepers walking the dog on this stuff but the JD 3320 with R-4s & chains doesn't slip at all.

Stay warm

 

[ding2520]

Deadman,
You asked the dimension inside of my 3pt arms with the I-Match on and what kind of clearance I had with chains on. I installed a "cold shut" in my new chains and put them on the tractor, decided to install a second one in each side to tighten them even more. I measured the clearance and it is close to one inch between the tire edge and the arm. You have to remember that our tires are not turning at the rpm's that you will see on an ATV or car.

I have photos of chain slack before installing "cold shut" and after, also the clearance between my 3pt arms.

 

[Deadman]

THANKS, thats WAY more clearance with the I match. I'll be looing for an I Match right away. Any suggestions of which one to get? I'm leaning twords the Deere one.
The pics are great, thanks again!

 

[Deadman]

Oh, 1 more question......In those pics were the 3pt arms UP or Down? They look like they were down, but just wanted to be sure because the measurements change as the arms raise!

 

[ding2520]

The photos were taken with the arms all the way up....

 

[ding2520]

Arm clearance with chains installed.

 

[RobJ]

It is surprising they make all these rim and sizes! You would think there would be more standard sizing to make production easier. Guess it's like the car/light truck market; they make a huge variety there too... They tend to be less expensive though.

When you think about it it makes some sense. My turfs are on a wide rim because they need a wide tire for better floatation. My ags are on something like a 10" rim. Narrow tire for more digging(I know they make very wide r1s for some apps). R4's have a wider rim because IMO they are more of a flotation type tire. Not a real digging type tire. Another reason r1 are better for wet, dirt stuff over a r4, the gaps between the lugs are larger, deeper to take a bigger bit out of the ground. That's also why a1 are not so good on pavement. Same theory with truck tires, offroad tires have less rubber on the pavement than a AT or street tire.

I think someone mentioned putting r4s on turf rims. I could see this. But on mine I recall the turf rim sort of smallest. But I've never check it out.
Rob