Tires Turf or R4 Tires ?

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


Experience using both these style tires ?

Will be on a Kubota 3130 4WD... loaded rears... front loader... backhoe... rear grader blade... rear mower...

Machine use will primarily be used on mostly level ground... for loader & backhoe work... mowing 2 1/2 acres w/ rear mower... snow removal with rear grader blade and front loader or front plow on paved and non paved surfaces...

Been using a Deere 750 4WD compact utility tractor like this for 10 years now with non-loaded original turf tires...
Traction snowplowing has never been an issue... not much anyway...

I'm concerned about the R4's leaving indents in the lawn or tearing it up on tighter turns... and the additional $600 cost...

Thanks for your input !


Dave...

 

[Bob_Skurka]

If you have been getting the work done without spinning the turf tires then why bother to change?

I have R4s on the Kubota and the NH and they do not damage my lawn and I beleive they provide better traction when using implements.

 

[have_blue]

Used R4's for 2 years. They are fine for anything in 4WD. In 2WD, I lose traction doing plow and FEL work. Running straight on my nice grass was OK, but had to be careful when turning. I decided on R4's for my new, slightly larger tractor. I hope 2WD traction is better with the wider tires and heavier machine. If finish mowing is your main chore, I believe you should stay with turf.

 

[Mrwurm]

I have found my turfs to be too soft (4ply) for loader work. They nearly go flat when I pick up a heavy load. I would go R4's if I could do it over.

 

[Hoeman00]

W/ loader and hoe I wouldn't use anything but R-4.
R-1 would work too, but u'll want the extra load capacity of the R-4.
If the over size turf tires have a hi weight rating they might work.

 

[AndyM]

I bought my TC18 with R4 tires. I primarily use it for finish mowing in 2wd, but parts of my property get soft and squishy after a good rain so I wanted traction when working out back. I also wanted traction when using the back blade on my driveway this winter, so I opted for the R4's.

I was a little worried at the thought of mowing with R4's, but I haven't had a problem with it yet. It doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. And I've gotten into situations with my tractor already that I know I would have been stuck if I had turf tires, so I'm sure I made the right desicion.

When I bought my NH TC18, I was told that R1's, R4's, and turf tires would all be the same price. I guess the price they quote you for tires all depends on where you go. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[billfires]

Dave, one of the considerations of turfs vs. R-4s is that turfs are usually smaller in diameter which results in lower ground clearance of the subframe on the backhoe. Also check the ply rating of the turfs, as I agree with Jerry that 4 ply turfs are not strong enough for heavy loader work. Bill C

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Running straight on my nice grass was OK, but had to be careful when turning. )</font>

When I was debating this on my tractor my dealer took me outside and had me drive a TC18 with turf and a TC18 with R4's. He told me turn really sharp on his very wet grass. Just rained big time that morning. It was interesting, the turf's threw more grass off the side of the tires than what the R4's did. I had an article once I found on the internet and really wished I could find it again but that article was a comparison on turf's versus Industrial tires. That article bascially said tha same, that overall driving the turf was the better tire but turns the R4's did less damage /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif so I went with R4's. My neighbor has turf on his and on dry grass I can't tell the difference. With the other things I do I love my R4's


murph

 

[have_blue]

Murph,

I guess it could depend on the turf and ground. I guess it could also depend on whether running in 2WD or 4WD.

There always seems to be a few scattered torn up streaks on my grass, and they always look like the front wheels and are always an arc.

Don't misread me, the R4's are not that bad, and I like them. I just hate to see any bitten areas on my turf.

 

[thcri]

Blue,

My R4's if I turn tight will also rip. My neighbors turf if he turns tight will also. I don't run in 4 wheel drive while mowing except for when I am going face down on one of my steep hills. The back wheels don't have traction going down hill and she tends to start sliding around a bit and reallly ripping things up. I borrowed my neighbors tractor one time and was using the tiller on it and when I went up the hill that I was just talking about I had to put his in 4 wheel. Even with the weight of the tiller the back wheels just spun.

But I am not sure what the best tire is out there. I think it depends on what your going to mostly use your tractor for.

murph