Tires tires

[skenk]

I have a JD 955 MFWD. Currently has turf tires, although the closest I do to turf-work is running the bush hog over weeds. The tractor is usually used for landscaping/construction type work, grading, trenching and snowblowing in the winter. Fronts are almost toast. I was thinking about changing over to more of an industrial lug-type tire similar to those on skid steers. I was going to just change the fronts (with careful consideration for matching rolling circumference with existing tires) but the parts guy at the local JD shop said I would likely end up with transmission failure. So then the conversation evolved into swapping everything, new rims and tires front and back, estimated to be $1600 - $2000 (not as bad as it sounds as cost of replacing existing turf with same would be $300 for each front and $600 for each back).

Has anyone made the change from turf to lug? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks.

 

[TripleR]

I have had R4's on my last two tractors, but we have a MF 375 4WD that is over twenty-five years old and had R1's on the front and turf on the back since it was new. It is a geared tractor and we have not had any problems.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For the work you are doing Turfs are not what you want. You are a prime candidate for R4's but if you deal with wet type snows just be careful. The R4 tractor I have used in snow clogged up the lugs and was awful. I personally still like R1's.

Chris

 

[bp fick]

I do not know if John Deere has a similar sales stream to Kubota's Whole Goods, whereby, one can order in tires and wheel assemblies, mounted and ready to install, for far less than one would pay for just tires somewhere, in most cases.

Worth checking into that. Perhaps a Green guy here can comment.

Yes, I went from turf to R4. Enjoy the toughness, but cannot say the traction is substantially different. Substantial traction would only come from R1-Ags, but everything is a compromise. R1's can indeed leave tracks. R4s represent many people's compromise tire.

 

[skenk]

DiamondPilot:

R4's have to be better in mud than the turf's? The least little bid of mud and they are a smooth as a baby's butt.

I was a little worried about the snow. Do you think they would be any worse than the turf's?

 

[devildog1]

I have R4's on my B3000 TLB Kubota and use it for heavy snows here in upstate N.Y. It does a good job clearing heavy wet snow in four wheel drive. I believe It's about the same size as your John Deere. Had bar type tires on a BX23 which I thought had better traction in snow though I really don't have a issue with R4's currently, the R4's would be better for your all around work, loader, backhoe, etc.
DevilDog

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have big lug turf's on my 40hp Kubota L3940. They are awsome in snow, even in 2wd. Much better than my 8N with new R1's. From my little experience with R4's, they do not do that will in snow. For a construction site where sharp objects and rocks are encountered, the tooghness of the R4 would be best. Philip.

 

[rdbrumfield]

Skenk, I put a good mud traction tire for a pickup on my fronts. As R1's on the front seem to wear fast I thought I would try them as I do a lot of loader work and I liked the higher ply rating.

Sure, they don't have the deep lugs for mud, but for all around use I found them to be adequate and much easier on the steering gear.

 

[skenk]

Been on the fence about this for a while so, likely pull the trigger and buy a new set of rims and tires in the spring. I likely have to buy my wife something to help ease the pain. Any idea on the demand for used tires and rims? Could keep the current set as spares.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[dsmau]

Skenk,
I have an 855 with a set of R4 and Turf. I cannot really compare the 2 because the turfs are not filled and the R4s are but I can tell you that the ride is rougher with the R4s. For loader work, I really like to have the higher ply rating in the front. I am also less worried about getting a flat tire. I feel that the R4s are more resistant to sharp objects but that might be a bad assumption. Anyway I got them on Craigslist from a guy that had a 4100 and paid 400$. They were not new but around 75%. My plan is to use the R4s from the Fall to Spring and put the turfs on to finish mow my 3 acres during the summer when my loader is off. One reason for doing the move was that the turfs on the front have only 25% left and I did not want to ruin them by doing loader work.