Tire questions...

HunterdonPaul · Oct 16, 2000

Hi there,
I will be purchasing a 4000 series JD tractor within the next few weeks. I have have made decisions on all of the implements, but have questions on tires.
I will be cutting a nearly 4 acre pasture with a rotary cutter (brush hog). I will be doing some light front end loader work. I also plan on using the loader to clear my 750' long driveway when snow arrives. I also would like to do some finish mowing on my lawn (2 1/2 acres). The question is what tires do I use. R1's are out of course. R4's aren't good for normal lawn use? Turf tires won't push through in the snow (how about chains?)

Help!

Paul

Bird · Oct 16, 2000

Paul, I'm not sure just where to search to find all the messages, but this has been discussed a great deal on the forum. Naturally, there are some differences of opinion, but it seems to me that basically it boils down to:

1) R1 (ag) tires for traction (and you've said that's out of the question).

2) Turf tires for mowing and driving on lawns, but they're thin, easily punctured, and not such good traction.

3) R4 (industrial) tires for toughness, compromise traction between the other two.

I think the R4s are getting more popular all the time, and think that's the way I'd go, but of course I don't have any snow to contend with. And you'll find that a number of people are using the turf tires, with or without chains in the winter, depending on individual conditions. Good luck with the new tractor.

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Oct 16, 2000

Paul

I have a JD4300 with R4 tires and I'm happy with them. Your requirements will be met with R4's and that's what I recommend. Turf tires would be better for cutting the lawn but R4s would be acceptable. They will not tear up the grass. You will need strong tires for use with a front-end loader (FEL). Turf tires are not designed for that much weight and also would not have enough traction to push the FEL. Strongly recommend you talk with your JD dealer. The owner's manual has recommendations for the 4300 using various attachments. The R4s come in various sizes and plys. Be sure you get the proper tires or your tractor would be unsafe.

Also be certain your new tractor has 4WD. 2WD with FEL on hills is a formula for disaster!

Enjoy and be safe
Chuck

Kelvin · Oct 16, 2000

Paul,

Ply Ratings: I may be "generalizing" too much, but from what I've seen most compact tractor Ag and Turf tires are 4-ply. The R-4 tires are typically 6 ply (or greater) thereby offering greater durability.

Comparisons: The R-1 (Ag) tires gives maximum "traction" under most all conditions; the turf tires gives the greatest "gentleness to the lawn". To maximize both concerns you could purchase a set of each type of tires/rims (probably $1000 or more extra). The R-4s are a compromise between the R-1 (AG) and turf tires in both "traction" and "gentleness to the lawn" concerns and would be my first choice if I were to only buy one set.

No Ag Tires?: While I still recommend the R-4 tires, I'm curious...what are the reasons for the refusal to consider Ag tires? Several people on this board (including myself) have mentioned using Ag tires for finish mowing (even though I don't know the weight of your proposed JD tractor compared to the weight of those using Ag tires). I have a Kubota B2150 4wd with loader, air-filled Ag tires and 3-point finish mower (package weight probably over 2500 lbs) that I mow approximately 5 acres with and don't have any problems tearing up turf as long as the turf isn't soaking wet. And when its wet enough to cause damage I won't even use my smaller B7100 with turf tires.

B7100 Turf vs Ags: I recently changed my B7100 from Ag tires to Turf tires. The were two basic reasons: (1) I found a good deal on a 3-point aerator, and I (2) also found a reasonable deal on a good set of used turf tires & rims. Reason (1) drove decision (2); while I knew that I had no complaints using the Ag tires on my lawn, I figure that I would be using the aerator on soft moist lawns (mine as well as other folks) and I wanted to minimize damage on moist lawns. A side note: I have found that on the hills where 4wd is usually required the turfs actually spin LESS than the ag tires did (DRY CONDITIONS).

As usual, my post is getting too long so I'll quit for now.
Kelvin

ayacht · Oct 17, 2000

Just to drop another vote in. I looked at both turfs and R4s. When I bought a tractor I got the R4s for toughness and traction. They do not tear up my lawn at all under most conditions. We are doing a cross between finish mowing and field mowing and both are fine. For loader work they are great and are there everytime I need the traction. As for the snow I have not plowed yet, but I think ice will be the only issue if at all. The 4wd comment is 100% correct you will definately need it or your loader will be next to useless in the winter and when moving heavy material. The other reason for 4wd is resale, most people buying a used tractor know matter what the age are looking for 4wd and you will command extra $ over a 2wd with less hours for sure. Just take a look at Deere's Machine Finder used equip. search engine. Just my $.02!

dmccarty · Oct 17, 2000

I'll echo Paul's question on ruling out the R1s.

The reason why I ask is that I test drove a JD 4700 last week and the only way I could get it to tear up the grass was to use it in 4WD doing TIGHT turns and aggressively using the PowerReverser tranny. I would do neither on a lawn. It impressed me so much that I'm thinking about using the 4700 with a midmount or a 3PH finish mower. I was really trying to tear up the grass.

This was on dry, hard soil just like my lawn will be. If you have softer/wetter conditions that may be another matter. But I don't my my current lawn if it is wet anyway.

And if you need traction in the snow......

Tractor's sure are all about compromise aren't they!

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty

Bird · Oct 17, 2000

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go with the R4s, primarily because of their puncture resistance, but also because they're a little easier on a soft lawn; however, I don't claim to have a "lawn" but I do have a BIG yard and use a 60" 3-point finish mower, and I'm not unhappy with the R1 tires I have since this clay is pretty solid.

Bird

WVBill · Oct 20, 2000

When I was looking for new tires for my Kubota B6100D recently, the dealer showed me a set of what he called "Bar Trufs". These had a very interesting tread pattern - sort of a turf tire with thin Ag bars. I didn't catch the name of the manufacturer and can't find "Bar Turf" on either the Firestone or Goodyear web site. He said that they're getting very popular.

I Certainly would have liked to try them out but he wanted $350 each for 29 X 12.5 - 15 tires.

I ended up keeping my Ags on the front and putting Turfs on the back - all four 70% antifreze filled. The Turfs were only $220 for the pair (plus the filling). So far I've had plenty of traction for my FEL work (peeling up sod for new planting beds). More traction, I think, than my filled Turfs had. Of course the footprint is about doubled and the weight of the fill is trippled. And when I do take a too big bite and spin the rear tires, the Turfs don't tear up the grass nearly as much as the Ags did.

I plan to use the FEL for snow removal on my driveway so we'll see how my combo works out.

Bill