Tire question

daTeacha · Dec 1, 2005

In all my looking for a different tractor than my little B7100, I've been thinking I need R4s. Some posts I've read lately are making me wonder about that.

I have Ag tires on the Kubota. When working in the woods they seem just fine, but I sometimes wonder about the sidewall strength. I slither around some in the barnyard on the hillside, especially with a loader full of manure.

First question, based on some posts I've read recently -- would R4s be worse in the barnyard, moving manure, working in mud, etc?

Second question -- When ordering a tractor, in addition to specifying the tire type, can you order a specific construction. I'm thinking a radial R1 will have sidewalls more prone to puncture than a bias ply would.

What do all you guys know about tractor tires? Please share.

Farmwithjunk · Dec 1, 2005

In general terms, R-4's are more stable for loader work than AG tires. But there's a catch. It depends on BRAND as well as TIRE SIZE. One of my tractors (MF150) has R-4's. It's my loader tractor. When I bought the R-4's, there was a noticable difference in stability over the cheap-o AG tires that were on it previously. There is some loss of traction with R-4's over AG tread. (I understand it's less noticable with 4WD)

I have radials on my Deere. It had bias plies originally. GoodYears then/GoodYears now) I haven't seen anything that would indicate one was more proned to sidewall damage than the other. The radials are tougher than a $2 steak.

LBrown59 · Dec 2, 2005

I've heard R4s. turn into racing slicks in mud.

tpost · Dec 2, 2005

My tractor had R-4's on it when I bought it new,next winter I had R-1's on it. The R-1's made the tractor seem like the tractor was bigger with the R-1's ,it set higher and the tractor was so much better. The R-4's would just fill up with mud. I do some heavy loader work with my tractor and the sidewalls on the R-1's have never been an issue.
When I went from R-4's to R-1"s I had to get all new rims as well. (JD 4400)

John_Mc · Dec 2, 2005

( ...I slither around some in the barnyard on the hillside, especially with a loader full of manure.

First question, based on some posts I've read recently -- would R4s be worse in the barnyard, moving manure, working in mud, etc?)

Lateral traction is tough. If they load up with mud, R4s don't have a lot of traction, sideways or otherwise. The best thing I've seen for this is adding Duogrip chains. They make a diamond pattern of chains over your tires, rather than the straight ladder-style chains (which don't do a lot for lateral traction. I could not get Duogrips for my size R4 tires, so I ended up going with ladder chains with V-bars. These made a huge difference on ice and snow, and did help in mud as well. Another option for mud traction is double-ring chains (you see them on some farm tractors) - they tend to be "self-cleaning". I'm not sure how much, if anything, the double ring chains add to lateral traction, however.

John Mc

wolc123 · Dec 3, 2005

For loader work on dry ground, R4's would offer a slight advantage because greater volume would allow more calcium to counterweight the loader (any tractor fitted with a front loader should have loaded rear tires). If you will use the tractor on a lawn then R4's will minimize damage compared to R1's. R1's will be a lot better in the woods and barnyard if mud is encountered because they provide greater traction and ground clearance. I would recommend the R1's from the sounds of your post (you didn't mention lawn work).

ZJ_HR · Dec 6, 2005

( I'm thinking a radial R1 will have sidewalls more prone to puncture than a bias ply would. ) 

TRUE!!!
Radial tires have more gentle and sensitive sidewalls then ordinary bias tires. They are better on road (softer drive) and in field (better traction), but don't go with them in the woods.
That's why I have 2 tractors, one with radials and one with bias tires /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

IMHO, for your applications, the best are Ag tires (loading manure). If you want tires less sensitive to punctures, buy ones with more PLY rating.

HEC · Dec 6, 2005

I ran into to same situation with my new tractor and settled on the R4's, for my tractor ,they were the exact same height as I have seen them side by side.From what the dealer told me the R4's have a harder rubber and the ones I got were an 8 ply rating.You will get a better traction with the R1's for sure. how much better I won't know until I get to use them more the dealer said it wouldn't be a big difference.I had a couple large cuts on my R1's due to the softer rubber which probably wouldn't have happened with R4's luckily they didn't go into the ply.I will know better next summer if I made a mistake going with the R4's or not.Lots of people on this net have R4's and are very happy with them,hope I am too.If I were going to be in lots of mud etc. I would have gone with the R1's again.AS far as working in the woods that is one reason I went with the R4's they are a much tougher tire.Good Luck