Tires Slipping an sliding with R4s, R1s on the front any help?

[Mudfarmer]

It's been wet this spring, as always, and now that I have moved my JD 3005 down to the tree farm I'm limited in climbing hills with it until the ground dries out in July because of its R4 tires. My old Ford 1700 with R1s seldom slipped, and I keep my Kubota B2710 with R1s down on the farm in the winter just for traction. No I don't want chains. I should have had the good sense to buy the 3005 with R1s in the first place, but that chance has passed. I've noticed that the front tires start to slip well before the back tires do. So I am wondering if anyone has put R1s on the front (since they are relatively inexpensive compared to the back tires) leaving the R4s on the back? Did that help traction? Oh, and yes I've talked to the dealer a couple times about trading for R1's (which I think take a different rear rim) and they never come up with anything.

Mf

 

[kneedeep]

I think that the front and rear tires need to be matched so the MFWD works properly. Mixing the tire types might cause problems as well as warranty issues if something were to break.

 

[Kubotafan]

Search for siping or grooving tires and you will find info that might be worth considering. I have never done it but reports seem to be helpful in both snow and mud.

 

[Steve in MT]

Kneedeep is correct that they need to match, but Im thinking mostly because of the tire height . However, its probably going to be pretty tough to find R1 tires that are the same height as the R4's that are on your tractor. Tire and wheel sizes are different from R1's to R4's and your owners manual should list what they are. If you cant trade your wheels and tires back in then maybe snoop around to see if you can find a set of new take offs or a decent set of used ones for a decent price. I have R1's on mine because I need the traction more for winter use but I sure would like to have a set of R4's for dirt work in the summer. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the bolt pattern on small tractors will interchange with other brand tractors so therefore you might not be stuck looking for "Yellow" one's. I'm not sure if this helps you, but that's all I could come up with.
Steve

 

[EE_Bota]

If it were me, I'd have my most aggressive stuff on the rear. Often the front wheels travel slightly faster, and that would worry me were they to have the most aggressive tread.

 

[Kubota Tee]

Here's what I did to my front tires to increase traction in the snow. Before After

I'll also be siping the rear tires.

 

[varmint]

Cool, and looks well done. But, I'm interested in what tool you used, and free-hand or with some sort of guide?

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Here's what I did to my front tires to increase traction in the snow. Before <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=346359"/> After <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=346360"/> I'll also be siping the rear tires.

I guess you have more biting edges to gri so I can see it working. Is it a lot better?. I wonder will they wear faster?

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Here's what I did to my front tires to increase traction in the snow. Before <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=346359"/> After <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=346360"/> I'll also be siping the rear tires.

By the way what did you use to do the cutting?

 

[RalphVa]

Mine definitely need this, or maybe set some screws into the lugs like I did on the ag tires of my Gravely when I had it.

Ralph