Tire Sizes -4310 option

[JC4HD]

I just ordered a 4310 with 430 FEL and 48 Backhoe. One of the options I ordered was the Oversized R4 tires to provide better floatation. The Rears are 27x8.5-15 and the fronts are 43x16-20. I understand the rear sizing but can anybody explain the fronts? Sounds like they are much wider than the std R4's which are 15-19.5. Am I correct in assuming that?
or is it a misprint?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MJB]

I think you got the sizes for the fronts and rears switched. The rears are 43x16-20 and the fronts are 27x8.5-15. In both cases the first number is the nominal diameter of the tire, the second number is the nominal width of the tire, and the third number is the diameter of the rim. I hope these tires are significantly taller and wider that the standard R4s because I just ordered a set for my 4300. If the nominal dimensions are correct the rears will be about 3-3.5 inches taller and 1.5 inches wider than the 15-19.5s and the fronts would be about 2 inches taller and than the standard 25x8.5-14 R4s. The real test will be whether or not they will be compatible with my 60" MMM. According to the Deere info at the dealer they should fit, but my tape measure tells me it will be close. They should give me a bit more ground clearance and flotation than the R4s I have. Every little bit helps on the soft ground I have. Hope this helps.

 

[billfires]

JC4HD, I'm not 100% sure but I believe those are the R-3 Turf Tires not the R-4 industrials. Also I think your 27x8.5-15 are the front tires. I have the same front tires on my NH 1920 and the rears are 18.4-16.1 which are basically the same size as the 43x16-20. You should probably check with your dealer to make sure your getting the tires you want.

Bill C

 

[MJB]

Incidentally, this picture (originally posted by JMIII) is what got me started on the quest for larger R4s. I noticed that the distance from the rear tire tread to the fender lip was much smaller than the gap on my 4300 with the smaller R4s. Being a fanatic about such things /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif meant I just had to get the larger wheels./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MJB]

For comparison, here is a picture of my 4300 with the smaller R4s.

 

[MJB]

Here is another angle which probably shows the size difference better.

 

[JC4HD]

Thanks for the reply... very helpful. Dealer said he check with Deere about clearance and everything is Ok as far as the Backhoe and Loader. I didn't ask about MMM since I have no plan to use one. More floatation and more Ground clearance... perfect! Thanks again!

 

[JC4HD]

I questioned if they were turf also but dealer said they are R4's. Thanks for the info.

 

[MikeH]

MJB,
I'm just wondering what the new Wheel/Tire setup is going for? This option was not available when I got my 4400 in '99. Thanks.

 

[JC4HD]

The Option lists for $450... actual cost to me on the "Package Deal" was $200.

I hope that helps, Jim

 

[MJB]

JC4HD is right on the package cost if you buy the wheels as part of a new tractor. If you want to retrofit an existing setup the tire and wheel combo costs $1,100 for the rears and $400 for the fronts. Trading in your existing wheels can of course reduce this cost. My dealer gave me a price of 50% off the new wheels with the trade in of my old wheels. Well worth the money to me if it helps keep the tractor on top of the soft ground on my land. You will have to work out a deal with your local dealer on a cost to upgrade your tractor. You may be able to get a better price if your dealer has someone who is looking for your old wheels. Hop this helps.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Can someone tell me if the bigger tires add more or less stabilityon hills? Also, does the increased flotation decrease or increase traction for snow plowing etc?

 

[MJB]

My new tires have not come in yet so I cannot give you an answer based on real data. I will try to provide an answer once I have them mounted up and get a little seat time with them. They should be showing up any day now.

 

[MJB]

I just got my new R-4s mounted on the tractor last week./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Here is a list of measurements I took from my tractor with both sets of tires. Hopefully this info will be useful to anyone out there contemplating an upgrade from their existing wheels and tires, or anyone trying to decide between the two R-4 tire sizes available from John Deere. The inflation pressure was 20PSI in the fronts and 13PSI in the rears for both sets of tires. All dimensions are in inches.

.............................................Old Tires.........................New Tires
.....................................Front...............Rear..........Front.............Rear
Nominal Size...................25x8.50-141....15x19.5......27x8.50-15......43x16.00-20
Track width (OS to OS)....52.25..............59.00.........52.75.............59.75
Tire Diameter..................25.00..............40.00.........26.75.............43.75
Tread Width....................7.75...............13.00.........8.25...............13.50
Tire Width.......................7.75...............15.25.........8.75...............16.00
Chassis Height.................11.75..............9.88..........12.88..............12.00

As you can see from the table, the new tires increase ground clearance by over two inches in the back and just over an inch in the front. The new tires are also slightly wider than the old tires. On the downside, despite what the JD configurator indicates, the new R-4s are 4 ply tires unlike the old ones that were 6 ply./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif If you are going to be running on some really rough terrain you might be better off with the 6 ply tires. The new tires are compatible with the 60 inch mid mower on my 4300 with a slight adjustment to the rear anti-scalp wheels. I should have some pictures to post on Monday. Would I buy them again? You bet./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Kodiak]

Maybe you could let us know if it also effects your gearing and speeds very much.

 

[MJB]

The change in tire size results in about a 10% increase in ground speed in each gear. Since I have a hydrostatic transmission I don't notice the difference at all. I mow in B range and I just don't push the pedal down as far to get the desired ground speed. I have run it in 4wd and the lead ratio for the front wheels seems to be the same as it was with the old tires. I do not have any difficulty in shifting in or out of 4wd due to drive line windup. As promised here are some pictures with the new tires.

 

[MJB]

Another...

 

[MJB]

Here is a shot of the mower deck in the fully lifted position showing the "adjustment" I needed to make to the rear anti-scalp wheel to clear the rear wheel. I could have also re-adjusted the lift links so that the deck would not lift as high and not needed the trimming. Since my main goal in getting these new tires was to gain ground clearance I decided to trim the bracket and allow the deck to be lifted fully.

 

[MJB]

The new rear wheels do not have the valve stem guards that my old rims had. They do, however, have these really short brass valve stems. I think that they are far enough out of the way to avoid most brush and debris.

 

[MJB]

There might still be room for rear chains with the new tires. With the rear wheels in the wider position I have about 2 inches of clear space between the tire sidewall and the fender. The narrow position would be about an inch closer to the fender.