Tire Options for JD 3320

[jcmseven]

I have had both on a 3000 series tractor (the same one) and my experience is this: the R1 tires definitely give better pulling traction, but the difference is not huge, just notable. They look funny to me as I agree they are too thin. I would like for JD to offer a 1-2" wider front and rear R1 option. With a loader bucket full of gravel on a firm surface, the R1's notably distorted in front. They also do not hold as much ballast due to their lower volume, so one must compensate with ballast either in wheel weights or three-point ballast. The R4's on my terrain offer about 80% the traction of the R1's when pulling; they do not distort under heavy bucket loads, they do look better to me, and they wear better and hold more ballast. They get no where near the grip in thick mud (which I do not have to excess) as the R1 tires. To me, these facts, combined with the limited trade-in options on the R1's, led me to get the R4's. Sometimes I wish for the additional grip when pulling heavy three-point attachments, but my tractor has never NOT done something I wanted it to do with the R4's. I like the R1 tire, just for most of us, it truly is not the best option.

John M

 

[Killer_B]

I have the OEM turfs on my 3320. I think they're quite stylish. Show stoppers, really. Not unlike a classic Chrysler Newport with landau roof and rich Corinthian leather.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Killer_B

I think your tires look great too. Have they worked well in snow for you this winter? It's a much heavier tractor than your B7610 was but it would be interesting to hear a comparison now that you have used the green one for a while.

 

[Killer_B]

Killer_B

I think your tires look great too. Have they worked well in snow for you this winter? It's a much heavier tractor than your B7610 was but it would be interesting to hear a comparison now that you have used the green one for a while.

Hi Chuck,

My observations so far:

1. On the paves surfaces I have to clear snow from, the turfs work just fine. No chains needed.

2. The quick hitch mounted plow (that I had on the B7610) is better than the loader mounted one. The former can be put into float mode and forgotten. The latter wants to dig in and flop forward on the trip springs if not set down just so.

3. The rear mounted blower is no big deal to use. Barely less convenient that the front mounted, IMHO.

4. The added weight and power of the 3320 vs. the 7610 is mostly offset by the larger plow and blower.

5. I really do like the buttery smooth operation of the Ehydro. And I hope it never breaks.

Best regards,

KB

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks KB,
I didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I think that useful info was added. I just knew that we could count on KB for an honest apprasial.
Chuck

 

[orlo]

Hope I don't start an argument here but I had a 3320 with the large R4's and had them on my 3720 cab until I got the R3's I now have. (I also have R4's on my 2305 and love them there but it's much lighter). I was going to go with the super turfs but I didn't since they weren't compatible with the super turfs.

I found with the R4's that on hard packed surfaces and hard lawn they actually slip MORE than the R3's in my case. If I was going up a short steep hill in 2WD with the R4s all it would take was a little bump and one tire would spin and dig up the lawn. The R3's 'stick' much better and I think are a little more compliant to the terrain. In Mud the R4's would be much, much better, and the R1's better yet but if you are going to be on mostly hard surfaces you might want to reconsider. I know R3's don't 'look' cool but as Roy said consider your use.

I did get wheel extensions so I'm running really wide (6" wider on each side so a foot wider overall - I can go to 72" in the wide position if I want).

One other thing I've discovered is that in some snow conditions (In particular snow over asphalt) the R3's give me better traction than the R4's used to. I'm running a 59" blower with a 66" wheel width now and the unchained R3's have no problem running over the snow on the side the blower doesn't get and give me plenty of grip when I'm going over ice.

Again, I have no doubt I could (and do occasionally) encounter situations where R4's would be a ton better than the R3's (Mud is one, really, really soft dirt is another) but for me R3's seemed the better choice. Also, I'm running almost 6000# when I mow (I take the bucket off but leave the loader on) and the R3's flatten the grass but leave no marks in or compact the soil since they have a lot more contact area instead of the few hard bars of the R4's.

 

[RollTideRam]

Another reason for the R4's is they are some better at being "flat resistant". We had turfs on the front of our old 650. I can't remember how many times we had to get flats fixed. Of course we have locusts trees that cause most of the problems. So far, I have had no flats in two years of using R4's. I am sure to have one now though. I think the life of the R4's should be alot longer also. JC