Turf tires vs r4’s

[RickSr]

You could have one if you wanted.

Few if any compact tractors come with an air ride seat. But every single commercial or Ag tractor has that option because it's important to them.

For compacts and utility tractors it's a "find it yourself" aftermarket item. Grammer is the best known supplier of aftermarket air ride seats and can usually come up with a bolt-on kit for any tractor. They are the best, but don't advertise much.

An air ride seat will have a tiny 12 volt compressor and air shocks under the seat. Not too expensive or too cheap - about the same as a set of turf tires - and worth every penny of the cost if you have a bad back or just want to preserve a good one.

It's worth a phone call to Grammer. You won't believe how nice they are until you try one.
rScotty

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[RickSr]

Tractors have no suspension and are meant to go slow. If you are bouncing around enough to lose traction and handling you are going way to fast for the terrain.

If you need to go faster on rough terrain then get a tractor with large wheels front and back.

Not really driving to fast, just not crazy for the hard ride.

 

[kpsp50]

Sounds like to me you have too much PSI in your tires by lowering the air pressure you will get a softer ride and better traction

 

[CoyPatton]

Thanks

Lower the rear tire pressure. It will take some time yo find the sweet spot. Too low and you run the risk of popping the beads if you side load the rear tires.
Keep the front tires inflated to recommended tire pressure if doing front loader work. Personally, I do not think you will find much ride difference between the 2 treads, especially at the expense of the change.

 

[jacspath]

Get a softer seat or padded pants.
Be careful about lowering pressure too much which might ruin the sidewalls, but that will give you a bit more traction.

 

[Cameron Smith]

I have 14.9-28 Michelin radials on the back and run them at 6-8 lbs when bush hogging and it rides like a baby carriage. Radials are supposed to run "squishey". If I air them up, it becomes a kidney pounder! Try dropping your psi.

 

[RickSr]

Lower the rear tire pressure. It will take some time yo find the sweet spot. Too low and you run the risk of popping the beads if you side load the rear tires.
Keep the front tires inflated to recommended tire pressure if doing front loader work. Personally, I do not think you will find much ride difference between the 2 treads, especially at the expense of the change.

Thanks

 

[RickSr]

I have 14.9-28 Michelin radials on the back and run them at 6-8 lbs when bush hogging and it rides like a baby carriage. Radials are supposed to run "squishey". If I air them up, it becomes a kidney pounder! Try dropping your psi.

Thanks

 

[brutus54]

Rick Sr,
My 1989 Ford 1720 came with turf tires and a front end loader. Recently replaced the front tires and was told there was 2 grades one for front end loaders and one for tractors without. I have moved tons of dirt and gravel without any problems at all. Tractor doesn't tear up our trails in the woods either. Smooth riding in the fields as well.

 

[mudking]

Rick Sr,
My 1989 Ford 1720 came with turf tires and a front end loader. Recently replaced the front tires and was told there was 2 grades one for front end loaders and one for tractors without. I have moved tons of dirt and gravel without any problems at all. Tractor doesn't tear up our trails in the woods either. Smooth riding in the fields as well.

I once had exactly that same tractor, with turf tires and a FEL. Best small-tractor I ever had probably. Traction in mud was not good, but I wasn't called to clean-up after mudslides very often. . I really dislike R4 tires on a compact tractor because they're just bone-jarring (and I don't think a seat of any kind will fix that). R4s were designed for and belong on skidsteers. If you want a better ride, a longer wheelbase will make the biggest difference, but if there is a turf tire that the manufacturer says is GTG with a loader I wouldn't be afraid to try it at all. Changing rims if required will probably be expensive though.