Comparison Tires, R-1 versus R-4

JerryT · Nov 16, 2004

As I recall, my dealer recommended R4's becasue they were 4 ply and R1's are 2, thus more prone to puncture and damage. I have been stuck a number of times with the R4's but it is directly related to the loose nut behind the steering wheel. I think I would have gotten stuck just as bad with R1's as I think Roughcut above is implying.

Henro · Nov 16, 2004

I went with the R-1's because I drive on my lawn even though I do not cut grass with the 4300. 

Stewart, that sounds like what most say about R4s...did you mean to type R4 rather than R-1 ?

If not, I think you are the first to choose R1s because they drive on the lawn... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

EdK · Nov 16, 2004

( Looks muddy in places right now, but not a real slick like clay. A lot of loose soil around where the logging has been done. )

Bottom line is we all have specific applications and each tire type have their benefits which your dealer and TBNers have pointed out. When I'm in conditions you've described I need my R1s and differential lock regularly.

rockyridgefarm · Nov 16, 2004

There is also R1W. A Wide radial R1 that is 6 ply rated. Awesome tire, if I had known about them, they'd have been my choice...

Soundguy · Nov 16, 2004

( So for maximum traction, you want the biggest wheels/tires your tractor can take )

There is a practicl issue here though. For instance.. as I indicated.. my fords.. one with 16.9 wide turf tires will not pull as good as my other ford with narrow 10.2 r-1 ag tires. Not even close. To make up for the loss of traction from the cleats.. I'm guessing you need twice plus the surface area in width, compairing some tires.. Wide is nice.. but then.. it can get ridiculess too... also.. some people have width issues.. like for trailers.. or orchards.. etc.. and may not be able to swap a turf ofr an agg, and make up the traction loss sufficiently.

Soundguy

kybota · Nov 16, 2004

Interesting, I also have a new L3130 and my dealer insisted I would be better off with R1 tires, and talked me out of R4s.

My experience so far is that the skinny front tires will essentially "plow" even moderately soft fescue fields whenever they are turned, and even at slow speeds.

Since it has rained a lot lately, I have a lot of soft areas, even though virtually every inch of my property is sloping and drains well. I wish that I had experience with the R4 under similar conditions to compare with. The rental equipment I've used with R4s never seemed to come close to the destruction the R1s unleash.

After about 8-10 hours of loading clayand rock excavated from my basement, to my surprise, I have found the R1 tires will spin quite readily, and wonder if the fatter R4s might not perform equally well in these conditions. I also asked my dealer if the R4s would be more stable since they give that appearance and he said no, even if loaded and with all that extra weight you can get with the bigger tires. Don't know if he knows what he's talking about now, though.

One thing about R1 tires, if you gotta replace one, it costs a lot less than R4 tires. That said, I'm currently wishing I had the R4s.

kybota · Nov 16, 2004

Anyone know if it would be okay to mount R4s on the front and keep my R1s on the back to ease the plowing effect of the skinny R1s I mentioned in my previous response to this thread?

Or would it not really help and I should just stay out of the fields until next July when maybe it will dry out, if ever again.

Ledgemere Farm · Nov 16, 2004

That depends. I am not sure how to explain it, but I think the tires whether it be R1 or R4's or R3's are matched to the tractor so that both the front and rears turn at a set speed. Given that the front tires will turn faster than the rears, changing the diameter and running in 4WD might wear your bevel gears in the front end. Whether or not this is true, I cannot say as I am no engineer. This is just what I have always been told. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Kyle_in_Tex · Nov 16, 2004

( I wish that I had experience with the R4 under similar conditions to compare with. )

I can tell you first hand, R-4's load up in gumbo mud and your stuck. R-1's will get you a bit deeper in the muck but have much better "self cleaning".

I guess we all need at least 2 sets of tires. Happens that mine are on another (JD 5420 MFWD) tractor entirely. Pun intended....
-K

RedDog · Nov 16, 2004

( There is also R1W. A Wide radial R1 that is 6 ply rated. Awesome tire, if I had known about them, they'd have been my choice... )

I'm with you too.

RedDog