Tires Switching from R4 tires to R1 Ag tires

npaden · Mar 30, 2006

Okay,

The front tires on my new to me L4200 GST are a little on the worn side. I could probably get another year or two out of them but I'm kind of wanting to go ahead and get some new ones on there.

The R4's on it are 10 X 16.5. It has R4 17.5L X 24 on the rear. The parts manual calls for 8.3 X 16 and 14.9 X 24 R1 tires. The R4's on the rear probably have close to 50% tread left. Reading up on 4wd tractors it sounds like the fronts wear much quicker than the rears.

Can I put 8.3 X 16 R1's on the front and leave the 17.5L X 24's on the rear? Do I need to replace all 4 tires if I want to go to ag tread? Do I have to replace the rims if I switch from R4 to R1 tires?

If so I might just buy 2 new R4 tires for the front and wait 10 years until I need new rear tires.

Thanks, Nathan

froggy · Mar 30, 2006

You might want to read this thread on lag times:

lag

and this information from TractorSmart:

Tractor Smart

npaden · Mar 30, 2006

Just some overall light reading there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

So it sounds like I probably have a lag situation on my tires for sure as the fronts are nearly worn out and were probably small to begin with.

I guess I need to find out what my wheels are also.

RobertN · Mar 30, 2006

You will probably need new front rims. R4's and Turf/R3 tires use a wider rim for the wider tires; R1's are typically narrower.

On the back, you might be able to find an R1 to fit you rim. The trick is to look at the the overall diamter and rolling radius of the tire. If you find one that matches you're ok. If not, you'll have lead/lag issues which can affect the drivetrain.

The same issue applies to just changing out the fronts, while continuing to run the rear R4's. Make sure the R1 you put on the fron has the correct diameter/rolling radius.

All the manufacturers have this data. The Goodyear site has lots of good data sheets...

KennyV · Mar 30, 2006

Hi again Nathan:
Four years ago I removed my factory AG tires and rims. Replaced them with oversized turf and wide wheels /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. See attached. You could never get me to switch back to those smaller AG tires. MUCY nicer ride with big tires. Never have I had a traction problem…
If you were closer I would let you try the AG wheel and tires, but I am fairly sure you would not like them. I do not have a picture of my L4200 with the AGs on it. KennyV.

npaden · Mar 30, 2006

Sounds like the way to go will be just putting on a new set of R4 tires on the front for now. I just called one of the local tire dealers and they have a YKS brand 10 x 16.5 R4 8 ply tire for $98.42 which seems like a pretty good deal. Another shop had a 10 ply Nanking for $100. They also had an 8 ply Michellin for $240/tire!

Never heard of YKS or Nanking before though....

RobertN · Mar 30, 2006

I have Titan's on the front, Goodyears on the back. Titan's seem reasonably priced.

Never heard of the tires you mention; Chinese or Korean imports?

john_bud · Mar 30, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All the manufacturers have this data. The Goodyear site has lots of good data sheets... )</font>

Not anymore. Goodyear sold their ag tire division to Titan.