Comparison Tires, R-1 versus R-4

SkyPup · Nov 18, 2004

I agree, down here our 2004 L-3130 'Bota came with 7X16 Goodyear Duratorque R1's on the front and whenever I'm in the muck with the FEL loaded, down goes the front end. I too would like wider R1's for the front end.

kybota · Nov 18, 2004

After seeing your photo and reading the other's comments, I'm still confused as to what would be the best way to go for my situation. I don't really plan on working in the "muck" like in your photo very often, but I need to drive across my yard and hayfields to get to the places I am working and do not like the greater damage the R1s can cause.

But, the better ability to shed the sticky clay (which we have plenty of around here) is a definite plus for the R1s. Since I cannot justify spending for a second set of tires and rims, I'll try to make my peace with the compromise. I guess any tractor being used for multiple purposes has to compromise somewhere, be it weight, hp, maneueverability or tires.

kybota · Nov 18, 2004

I wondered about that tire size issue with a four wheel drive setup. It does seem like it would be a problem. Oh well, the question just popped into my head while I was responding to the tire question. I guess I didn't think about it very clearly at the time.

( 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 )

kybota · Nov 18, 2004

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

I was thinking two tractors would be more handy than two sets of tires. Congrats on accomplishing that.

Theowegian · Nov 18, 2004

I have R4's on my Kubota L3130 HST. I like them and have not been stuck yet.

It seems to me it should be a fairly simple decision.

If most of your work is going to be in mud or wet conditions - use R1's.
If most of your work is going to be in dry dirt - use R4's
If most of your work is going to be on grassy turf - use turf tires.
If most of your work is in dry dirt and hard surfaces, use R4's.

That is how I thought it thru.

One last piece of info. I had terrible puncture problems with turf tires and no problems at all with R1 or R4's.

hope this helps.
dwight

Soundguy · Nov 19, 2004

I run my r-1's with no problem in my pasture. On decent packed soil, I can't even see a print.. In sand or wet soil, I can see a print. I run a variety of sizes of r-1 on my pasture.. 10.2x28 8x32, and whatever monsters are on my heavy NH 7610S... it doesn't rut the yard up either...

When it comes tire replacement time.. you will find that r1 are the cheapest.. and when i say that rubber is expensive.. you had better believe it. a r1 for my 8n costs 200 and some change for a tube and tire and mounting. On my NAA with turfs.. bump that to 400 and change...

Soundguy

slowzuki · Nov 19, 2004

Soundguy,
Wait until you price some new skins for the big Ford! The last 2 rear 16.8x30's (I think that number is right) for our international were 900$ each!

The last set that went on the neighbours tractor were the same except one lasted 1 day before a stick made an unrepairable gash in the sidewall!

The R-1's here markup the fields pretty good in any month other than July or August. Even then the 2wd tractor gets burried at least once most seasons pulling the haybine.

Ken

( I run my r-1's with no problem in my pasture. On decent packed soil, I can't even see a print.. In sand or wet soil, I can see a print. I run a variety of sizes of r-1 on my pasture.. 10.2x28 8x32, and whatever monsters are on my heavy NH 7610S... it doesn't rut the yard up either...

When it comes tire replacement time.. you will find that r1 are the cheapest.. and when i say that rubber is expensive.. you had better believe it. a r1 for my 8n costs 200 and some change for a tube and tire and mounting. On my NAA with turfs.. bump that to 400 and change...

Soundguy )

JerryT · Nov 19, 2004

My opinion is that R-4's are the best all purpose ag tire for us weekend farmers. As mentioned previously, the only time I"ve have gotten stuck is when I break the surface tension on wet ground and the tires start disappearing. I doubt if R1's would get me out of that situation any better and in fact would increase the likelyhood of the event because of their narrower width. I will grant that R-1's are better at self cleaning.

Henro · Nov 19, 2004

After seeing your photo and reading the other's comments, I'm still confused as to what would be the best way to go for my situation. 

It really is a hard call...

Personally I don't think two sets of tires, especially if you load the tires, would be a workable solution, at least for me. I bought a set of bar tires for my BX, and there is no doubt in my mind that the turfs will wait a long time before they go back on. Just too much trouble to swap tires, even on a small machine. L3130 size machine, triple the trouble.

Although I sometimes think I would like R1s, I am pretty sure when push came to shove, if I had to decided on what tires to put on my tractor a second time, for my overall uses, I would again go with the R4s.

The main reason being that it is not always slick, wet and/or muddy. With my particular tire size I could only find ladder type chains. The l3130 tires are a size that offers a better chain selection and you can get chaind that do not fall between the lugs (duo grip).

If needed, you can put the chains on and take them off a lot easier than swapping loaded tires!

That is the way I see it this morning...tomorrow may be different... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ... and your milage may vary.

rockyridgefarm · Nov 19, 2004

After careful research, I ordered my current tractor with R4s. But it came in with R1s. When I pointed that out to my dealer, he said to try out the Ag tires and if I wasn't happy, he'd get me my Industrials. Well, I ended up really liking the Ags, and they seldom mark my soil. The adjustable width has made up for any other issues. But soil conditions vary wildly, that's why there are other choices. I will take a long look at R1Ws for my next machine...