Turf to R14T Tires

[yooperdave]

I love my turf tires for plowing snow and driving on the lawn. Might be buying a new tractor and wondering if R14T tires would also work well in snow and not so hard on the lawn. Some tractor dealers do not have turf tires as an option even though the parent website says otherwise.

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[leonz]

If you purchase and order it with turf tires you should invest in carbide V bar snow chains
for it as well as loading the tires.

 

[dodge man]

No personal experience but on a JD tractor forum they are a popular option and I’ve read positive reviews.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Is your property dry or wet? If it's wet, the R14's can be rough on the lawn. My lawn is always wet in some form, but when it's at it's driest the R14's on my Kioti are quite easy on it.

They're excellent in the snow. I've been absolutely impressed.

 

[404nouser]

R2, R1w, R1, R14, R4, and R3
Most to least aggressive
R2 rice and Cain
R1W extra aggressive ag tire
R1 normal ag tire
R14 hybrid between industrial and ag
R4 industrial
R3 turf tire

So you are asking about 2 steps more aggressive.

 

[yooperdave]

R2, R1w, R1, R14, R4, and R3
Most to least aggressive
R2 rice and Cain
R1W extra aggressive ag tire
R1 normal ag tire
R14 hybrid between industrial and ag
R4 industrial
R3 turf tire

So you are asking about 2 steps more aggressive.

Excellent information. One dealer is trying to shame me by using R3's. R3's are only 2 ply so expect a stick or thorn to poke a hole in the tire, while R4's are 8 ply and tough. My R3's have performed very well with plowing snow - no need for chains. Dealer not a fan of R14's as there is not a lot of tread and only 6 ply. If they are good in snow, that might be a good option. My friend has a large JD tractor that has R4's on it. All the power does not help him from losing traction trying to plow snow without chains.

Yooper Dave

 

[tacticalturnip]

Your dealer should be a lot more concerned about which tires best meet your needs, not just assuming everyone just needs the thickest tire.

If I were a cynical person I'd think maybe the dealer has an excess of R4's, ordered all or most of their machines with them, and views it as more of a pain than it's worth to be swapping out tires.

If I were a cynical person...

 

[JeepHead]

I have R14 tires on my Kubota. I plow a very long asphalt drive that has a decent hill half way up it. I have had no issues with traction even with 10" of snow. They have also performed very well in my woods where some places have deep mud holes. In my yard, if it's really wet it will tear the grass up but as long as it's dry, no problems.

 

[yooperdave]

The LS Dealer will not do turf tires regardless of what the parent website states. This is the same LS dealer who used rubber air valves with beet juice ballast and insists he did nothing wrong after the valves popped out and caused a mega mess in my shed. The TYM Dealer will swap out tires if that makes the deal, along with whining about it. BTW, I found a beautiful used Branson with 75 hours on it and the 50 hour maintenance performed before it was rebadged into a TYM. It does have industrial tires, but will check it out. The proposed new property is level with a gravel driveway. It might just work out.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I will say, without chains, R4's are absolutely appalling in snow. They fill, and from there they turn into slicks.

If a dealer is going to tell me no, or hem and haw over my choice in tire on my machine, I'll go to a new dealer. I've got some further opinions, but they're mean, and I'll keep them to myself.

 

[therrien]

I will say, without chains, R4's are absolutely appalling in snow. They fill, and from there they turn into slicks.

If a dealer is going to tell me no, or hem and haw over my choice in tire on my machine, I'll go to a new dealer. I've got some further opinions, but they're mean, and I'll keep them to myself.

I went from R4's on unloaded tires on my B1700 to Beet juiced tires with R14's on my LX 2610. Heavier tractor and tires a LITTLE rougher on turf when dry, much rougher when wet. Snow traction like night and day. Excellent snow traction and i was concerned going to a lesser ply tire so I went with the R14 which was the same ply as my R4's. I believe most of the difference in my turf damage is the weight of the tractor and the loaded tires compared with my older smaller tractor. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I agree that if dealer is being a jerk, take your wallet somewhere else ... My local LS dealer was a jerk! All he could do was bad mouth every other brand, but couldn't tell me what was so good about LS ...! He also insisted that I didn't know what I was talking about with my 7K Lb rated trailer (2 - 3500 Lb axles) said I could put a 7K tractor on, even though it has an empty weight of 2K Lbs . . . I told him that the data tag was very clear, not only did I read and comprehend English, I was a truck driver for over 30 years and very well understood the weight ratings, his reply was I should have bought my trailer from him ... He was quite unhappy when he called me, and I told him I bought a Massey Ferguson, he told me how they were all made in China . . . Which I knew he was wrong, Because I can read what my data tag says . . .

Buy what you want, from someone who wants to sell it to you ...

By the way, I have 8 ply rated R4 tires on the front of my SCUT, came with 4 ply ... No regrets. I have chains for all 4 tires.

 

[LouNY]

Most of my life all I ever used were R1's, we tried R4's a couple of times as far as we were concerned R4's are just an accident waiting to happen on fields and woods.

My little Kioti has R14's on it and I have been impressed with there performance.

Last year I went with completely different tire on one tractor, I have been amazed at these tires capabilities. They are BKT Ridemax. For some reason the BKT website is acting up for me tonight.

BKT Ridemax IT 696 Tires | TiresUSA.com | Glendale, Arizona

 

[CalG]

A quick look at R4s brought up these

A bit different than most.

I run light duty chains on turfs all winter without issues. But if I go out in the deep stuff, Nothing works.

High centered is high centered.

 

[KenBike]

I have R4's on a Kubota L6060. Use it in northern Michigan and get heavy wet snow to dry blowing.
I purchased a $75 tire grooving tool and cut two cuts on each lug in the rear and one on the each lug on front tires.
They bite much better and have no issue on the steep hills but don't tear up the grass any more than non grooved R-4's.
Lots of videos on line.
Note R-4's are the best tire for loader work, that is why most wheeled construction equipment have R-4s.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have R4's on a Kubota L6060. Use it in northern Michigan and get heavy wet snow to dry blowing.
I purchased a $75 tire grooving tool and cut two cuts on each lug in the rear and one on the each lug on front tires.
They bite much better and have no issue on the steep hills but don't tear up the grass any more than non grooved R-4's.
Lots of videos on line.
Note R-4's are the best tire for loader work, that is why most wheeled construction equipment have R-4s.

I have grooved my last 2 R4 equipped tractors, and just recently regrooved the well worn fronts to get another few years out of them. I notice a significant improvement with the grooves.
I should have done two grooves on the rears, but only did one down the middle of the tread.

 

[jack9166]

I have grooved my last 2 R4 equipped tractors, and just recently regrooved the well worn fronts to get another few years out of them. I notice a significant improvement with the grooves.
I should have done two grooves on the rears, but only did one down the middle of the tread.
View attachment 4281626

How wide is your flail?

 

[dnw64]

I will say, without chains, R4's are absolutely appalling in snow. T

I can't confirm or deny.

My tractor came with R4s, and before the first winter, based on threads here, I grooved them front and rear.

I had bought Euro-style chains, and bought/installed 2" spacers to provide clearance, but never put the chains on. I have a paved driveway that has some very steep sections and had no trouble whatsoever (in 4WD). Granted, there have been times when I would have to make a second run, but it never felt like I was in danger of getting stuck.

That was 8 years ago. Since then, I have put the chains on 2 different years. They allow me to use only 2WD most of the time, but still need 4WD depending on conditions. I do keep the driveway bare, by using salt, so I never have a buildup of ice or packed snow underneath.

Bottom line, I have not used stock R4s, but with the grooves I have been extremely happy with them.

Additionally, I have in the past loaned out the groover to users here on TBN, and am happy to continue doing so. I only ask for the cost of shipping and that it be returned within a month.

 

[dnw64]

My driveway. Steep enough that I can't pull our Aistream up because it bottoms out at the back.

 

[RjCorazza]

How wide is your flail?

62" working width. It's about all my 6400 lb tractor can handle when offset, and weighs about 700lbs.