I had R4's on my backhoe (case 580C) and liked them for that application. Traction was not too big of an issue as you could always pull yourself out with the hoe when you got in trouble. The tires were thick ply, quite durable on jobsites and good on the road. Outside of industrial applications, which they were designed for, I believe many people are poorly served with R4 tires. If you can swing it, a much better option is to have (2) tractors. The one you use on your lawn with turfs, and R1's on the other. This way you make no compromise on traction in mud, snow, or loose ground. R4's are only slightly better than turfs in these conditions so if you can only afford (1) tractor and need to use it on your lawn, you should probably just get turfs until you can save up enough for a second machine with R1's.
R4's are USELESS!
- Thread starter Deadman
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flusher
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Deadman said:
Not surprising. The tread pattern on an R4 is a compromise to get the tire to work on both soil and road surfaces (backhoes, construction equipment). The R1 tread design is optimized for agricultural applications on soil.
rope1
Member
Somewhere in this thread I heard someone mention lowering air pressure in the r4's. What kind of air pressure is everyone running in their tires and what benefits are you seeing? I know front tires need to have rated psi for fel work, but what about the rears?
My R4 tires have served me well and they look cool too. You obviously got the wrong tires for your particular application. That doesn't make all R4's "USELESS". Maybe a more fitting statement would be, "The R4 tires I selected for my tractor are useless in my application. I should have selected a tire better suited for my application. I'm sure that the different tire mfg's interpretation of the R4 tread design varies somewhat. Maybe it's just a particular mfg's R4 tire that slips to excess.
John
John
Last edited:
The reason why I say they're useless i because on our JD 2520, all we had for choices were TURFS (yeah right!), and R4's.....so obviousely we took the R4's in HOPE that they'd be more of a tractor tire than a Slick. Only problem is our 2520 is LESS capable with R4's, than our 2210 was with Bar tires! (thats pretty sad 
)
)Deadman I agree, useless on tractor , R-4s backhoe and heavy equipment. R-4s are also dangerous on hillsides, wet grass and pretty useless for ag. use. I have owned tractors and several backhoes most of my life (close to 70) I can't belive I was dumb enough to buy a new tractor with R-4s.
Timber
Veteran Member
I personally love my R-4's. I grew up on a farm and my Dad was an AG farmer by trade. My life however is different. My use it for overall property maintenance. I was more interested in an indestructible tire. Running over glass and sapling stumps and General clearing. Like is was said already, you put your equipment together based on your application. It has nothing to do with the tire being useless, you just made a poor choice
pat32rf
Veteran Member
My last tractor (a 20hp)had ags..I installed chains for snow work. Current 4300JD came with R4s, didn't want them but the dealer couldn't find ags so he split the cost diference. Once I aired down to 15psi and loaded them with WWAF I soon learned that they didn't dig holes like the ags, in fact they had a lot better floatation in the bush. I still installed chains and now have the best of all worlds. Sure it takes time to install them tightly but well worth it. With close to 3000hrs they have the edges worn off but I bet I would be looking for a set of new ags by now...I don't do field work but spend most of the time in the bush or snow clearing, with a bit of paved road running. If the road is dry the chains come off, but in most cases I am on the road to get somewhere to clear snow so the road is snow packed.
My comments regarding fronts and rears needing to match due to size differences was for a larger tractor. Point is, ask your dealer. They can tell you the exact rotation distance required for all tire sizes and styles, and can make the comparison.
R4's would be great for durability, but traction is first on my priority list. Everyone's needs differ. Most are sold with R4's and ags can be dificult to find unless ordered new.
R4's would be great for durability, but traction is first on my priority list. Everyone's needs differ. Most are sold with R4's and ags can be dificult to find unless ordered new.
Deadman said:I just absolutely FEAR chains, because I saw my buddy throw a chain off of an ATV and it trashed the Plastics, brakes, and anything it hit. I know the tractor is slower, but I just hate the though of a chain hooking something and ripping the heck out of the nice tractor. That and I really hate even installing chains. Its just a pain to install then really staright and tight......anyone can just throw them on and have them flop around. I guess I should just get the R1's and go from there because the R1's on the 2210 were MEAN tires. They dug into anything and never filled with mud.
All the mowing I plan on doing is kinda rough cutting, so if they do leave a small print OH WELL. Is it realistic to just change the rear tires to bar tires, or is that going to throw off the Transmission ration because of a slight height change?
thanks guys!
There was a great thread a while back that showed a guy putting on chains. He was in northern Europe IIRC. He laid the chains on the ground directly behind the tractor, outside facing up and tied them to the wheel. Rope thru the wheel and tied to the first cross chain. Then he slowly drove straight ahead, the chains were pulled up and onto the tires. Then when they met, the linked them up. It's best to do this with the air pressure at about 1/2 of rated capacity, then when the chains are on and as tight as you can get them, air up all the way.
Don't fear chains, they are a tool that you need to learn how to use.
jb
rutwad
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I haven't spent time to read this thread, but this reply is based on it's title. But I agree R4's suck! We have a Farmall H that I have spent many hours on bushhogging. I've had it in wet places and even had it stuck, so I have a good feel for what it can and can't do. Then I was cutting with a Kubota L4610 4wd with R4's. With the rear diff. locked and 4WD engaged, it would not go where the Farmall would, and it doesn't even have diff. lock.
If the 'bota bogs 2-3"s in wet grassy soft ground, the grips get filled with mud and it's not going anywhere. Might as well have turf tires on it.
If the 'bota bogs 2-3"s in wet grassy soft ground, the grips get filled with mud and it's not going anywhere. Might as well have turf tires on it.
Timber
Veteran Member
Maybe reading the thread before you comment is in order
cmhyland
Platinum Member
As others have said each have their own merits.
I have owned machines with ags and turfs... In snow the loaded turfs are far and away the superior tire. And that is in up to 2 feet of snow. Wet grass the turf is superior...
In mud or in the woods the ags are outstanding.
The R4 commercials are in between.... They will outlast either of the others if your running on hard surfaces alot...
Regards,
Chris
I have owned machines with ags and turfs... In snow the loaded turfs are far and away the superior tire. And that is in up to 2 feet of snow. Wet grass the turf is superior...
In mud or in the woods the ags are outstanding.
The R4 commercials are in between.... They will outlast either of the others if your running on hard surfaces alot...
Regards,
Chris
Called the dealer today and they said that there really isn't any options for the 2520, because JD only offers them in TURF, and R4. I'm sure there is an aftermarket BAR style tire that would fit, but then I'd need to swap the fronts also so the driveline doesn't bind.
I think I'll just keep the R4's and know they're useless and expect less out of the tractor in general. They just don't impress me 1 bit, and sorry if I offended some of you who like R4's. They're just not the right tire for ME!
I think I'll just keep the R4's and know they're useless and expect less out of the tractor in general. They just don't impress me 1 bit, and sorry if I offended some of you who like R4's. They're just not the right tire for ME!
Deadman said:Called the dealer today and they said that there really isn't any options for the 2520, because JD only offers them in TURF, and R4. I'm sure there is an aftermarket BAR style tire that would fit, but then I'd need to swap the fronts also so the driveline doesn't bind.
I think I'll just keep the R4's and know they're useless and expect less out of the tractor in general. They just don't impress me 1 bit, and sorry if I offended some of you who like R4's. They're just not the right tire for ME!
Deadman...don't expect less from your tractor. I just put on the rear set of chains on my 2320 (they came in today, I ordered them last week). I already had the fronts. The chains make a world of difference, even on all the ice I have now. The chains were easy to put on and tighten up. Go get a set, you won't be sorry you did.
cmhyland
Platinum Member
Larry,
Superior... As in better than the others....
I live in northeastern Ct... We get more snow than most parts of the state, some years topping 160 inches. I plow about 8 driveways for neighbors, some 800 to 900 feet long. I have plowed snowstorms of over 2 feet of heavy wet snow.
I have never gotten stuck, I have never lost traction to where dropping a range wouldn't get me going again. I don't own chains because I have never needed them. I see some neighbors out with their machines with ags spinning away. I have pulled stuck machines with ags out for neighbors. On a hard surface the ag tire just puts too little rubber to the road to be effective. Also the rubber compound is soo hard in the winter they
have even less grab on cold hard surfaces...
That is how I define superior.
Regards,
Chris
Superior... As in better than the others....
I live in northeastern Ct... We get more snow than most parts of the state, some years topping 160 inches. I plow about 8 driveways for neighbors, some 800 to 900 feet long. I have plowed snowstorms of over 2 feet of heavy wet snow.
I have never gotten stuck, I have never lost traction to where dropping a range wouldn't get me going again. I don't own chains because I have never needed them. I see some neighbors out with their machines with ags spinning away. I have pulled stuck machines with ags out for neighbors. On a hard surface the ag tire just puts too little rubber to the road to be effective. Also the rubber compound is soo hard in the winter they
have even less grab on cold hard surfaces...
That is how I define superior.
Regards,
Chris
