whistlepig
Elite Member
Our land is as flat as a pancake but it is very windy here and snow drifts badly. I push snow with a loader and the R4's just couldn't seem to handle the drifts on level ground.
Tires R4s chewing up lawn
- Thread starter logankelly
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bradrich18
Bronze Member
I've got R4's on mine. Like everyone else has said, if the grass isn't too wet, I don't have a problem. I have one steep hillside I have to cut when it's just right - too wet or too dry and it can be damaged. I like the R4's because I have a lot of uneven terrain.
GreenSherpa
New member
Turfs are for mowing for sure. The turfs/R3s will occasionally tear up a the grass a little too...but i have done the same with a l170lawn tractor. My R4s are on rims, in the shed, next to my cars snow tires...right tool for a different job
Capt Dan
Silver Member
Since no one has mentioned it in this tread I have to add that it might depend on if your going to fill the tires.
I use Ag's on one tractor and loaded turfs on another with loader and don't have a problem marking lawn with care in operating tractor. Love loaded turf's with chains for pushing snow with 6 foot wide blade and 16 HP Kubota. Some years I'll chain up the front also as tires are bald and I have a short steep stretch of concrete driveway to do. Helps with steering.
I usually mow with an all wheel steer Garden tractor with ag tires (not recommended by John Deere manual) and I have to be careful going around trees but I like mowing with Ag's. I have some hills and have to mow one sideways. I'm talking now about the garden tractor lug tire which is a lot wider than the true Ag tires on one tractor.
I use Ag's on one tractor and loaded turfs on another with loader and don't have a problem marking lawn with care in operating tractor. Love loaded turf's with chains for pushing snow with 6 foot wide blade and 16 HP Kubota. Some years I'll chain up the front also as tires are bald and I have a short steep stretch of concrete driveway to do. Helps with steering.
I usually mow with an all wheel steer Garden tractor with ag tires (not recommended by John Deere manual) and I have to be careful going around trees but I like mowing with Ag's. I have some hills and have to mow one sideways. I'm talking now about the garden tractor lug tire which is a lot wider than the true Ag tires on one tractor.
KennK
Silver Member
I've had my JD3320 with R4s for quite a few years.
In summer its primary task is mowing lawn (has a belly mower) and the only time the tires damage the lawn is when its wet and I'm doing real hard turns. When going up hard slopes I'll typically need to either use the differential lock - or more often use the mechanical four wheel drive, but I'm very careful to turn off the MFWD as soon as possible.
Regarding winter use, I used to have a JD 425 - a smaller tractor - with turf tires, and even with tire chains it had lots of problems with traction UNTIL I added weights. That made all the difference.
When I bought the JD3320 I immediately bought tire chains ... but I've yet to use them. I've found the R4s to work just fine for snow removal, though they don't do well in real deep (>1 foot) "cold greasy" snow. With the MFWD, the FEL, and a rear blade I can handle most tasks. Even in very deep snow, so long as I have room to maneuver (the whole setup is pretty long), a place to pile the snow, and enough time, I can deal with most anything.
In summer its primary task is mowing lawn (has a belly mower) and the only time the tires damage the lawn is when its wet and I'm doing real hard turns. When going up hard slopes I'll typically need to either use the differential lock - or more often use the mechanical four wheel drive, but I'm very careful to turn off the MFWD as soon as possible.
Regarding winter use, I used to have a JD 425 - a smaller tractor - with turf tires, and even with tire chains it had lots of problems with traction UNTIL I added weights. That made all the difference.
When I bought the JD3320 I immediately bought tire chains ... but I've yet to use them. I've found the R4s to work just fine for snow removal, though they don't do well in real deep (>1 foot) "cold greasy" snow. With the MFWD, the FEL, and a rear blade I can handle most tasks. Even in very deep snow, so long as I have room to maneuver (the whole setup is pretty long), a place to pile the snow, and enough time, I can deal with most anything.
glc24
Platinum Member
:thumbsup: This plays a key part IMHO. Even if you have to cut in less that dry conditions and turning on up or down slopes (as I have to do sometimes), try doing 3 point turns and be gentle on the gas. Sure it takes a few seconds more,but it definitely works.
Greg
MMH
Gold Member
I think it depends on the machine. My JD 4500 w/ R4s does more damage than my Kubota 9200 w/ R1s. Not being in MFWD makes a differance on the JD. If in MFWD it will turf. My Kubota 9200 can't get out of it's own way unless in MFWD, The JD w/ backhoe & FEL is 6000 lbs. compared to the Kubota w/ FEL at 1700 lbs.
Wacky
Veteran Member
I use R1 ags on mine, just take out of 4x4 when on flat ground. Doesn't do damage on my yard unless it is wet. I am pretty particular with my lawn too.
hillbilly rick
Bronze Member
I have R4s and do OK mowing with them carefully except for a couple of locations where I have to turn on a hill and need 4WD. 4WD is more likely to tear the grass. The one thing that has surprised me is that the R4s will slip rather easily on a damp sidehill dirt surface. It has not been more than an inch or two, but it is very noticeable from the seat. I don't know if flipping the rear tires will help that, but I do plan to go wider.
pdp11
Silver Member
I have a 2520 with R4 tires, and I mow quite a bit. It's only in the lowest areas where water collects that I leave impressions with the tires if I don't wait for it to dry out. Everywhere else, the R4's do fine on the lawn. If I engage the front axle, the front tires will do quite a bit of damage to the turf, which is what I expect. I'm happy with the R4's overall.
