Turf vs R1 vs R4?

sewells · Aug 11, 2003

I think for me the R4s were the best choice because I have hills on my property. The R4s are wider and hence increase the width of the track. This makes me more stable in my little JD790 on sidehill work. Also, since they are wider they weigh more when loaded reducing the need for ballast on the 3PH.

My 2 cents worth.

Dahammer · Aug 11, 2003

I had R4s on my last tractor. Next one will have R1s. I found the R4s to be a "compromise" tire. In other words, they are not really good at anything. They pack with mud and spin easily. I can't tell you how many times I got stuck with R4s. Lucky I had a backhoe and loader and just crawled my way out of a lot of situations. If you are going to run your tractor almost exclusively on pavement then get the R4s. Better yet, get a Porsche. Real tractors have R1s.. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Boondox · Aug 11, 2003

( I think for me the R4s were the best choice because I have hills on my property. The R4s are wider and hence increase the width of the track. This makes me more stable in my little JD790 on sidehill work. Also, since they are wider they weigh more when loaded reducing the need for ballast on the 3PH. )

Funny. I have nothing but hills on my land and avoided R4s for that very reason! My neighbor's JD with loaded R4s got stuck so often when they packed up with mud there was no question of me making the same mistake. I had turfs on my first tractor, but they slipped horribly when climbing on wet grass. And while I occasionally miss the wide footprint of R4s (which look great for compacting the road after it's been graded), you just can't beat aggies for traction.

Pete

sewells · Aug 11, 2003

Haven't been stuck yet and I've pulled a trailer with approx. 4000 lbs of cordwood out of a soggy bottom with my little JD790. Also, I've skidded some logs about 15' long and 24-28" in diameter with no problem with the R4s. I find I do operate a lot in FWD but that doesn't bother me a bit. I really like the stability the wider footprint and heavier loaded weight gives me but maybe I'll change my mind the first time I get stuck.

Knute · Aug 11, 2003

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm starting to think that the R1 tires are really an advantage if you're working in an area with thick gooey mud, like that thick black Red River valley mud and not the thinner runny stuff around my place in the NW. I think (always a dangerous thing) that the extra flotation of the wider R4's would be an advantage out here, does that jibe with your experiences?

John

cowboydoc · Aug 11, 2003

I found the R4s to be a "compromise" tire. In other words, they are not really good at anything.

I couldn't agree more with you Dahammer. Unless you are on concrete or roads alot they are worthless in my opinion. Mine are just about shot on the 4600 and I couldn't be happier to be getting some R1's on it. It's really the only thing I have disliked about the 4600.

Mark_in_NH · Aug 11, 2003

( I found the R4s to be a "compromise" tire. In other words, they are not really good at anything )
Now this is a statement that is apt to get some fiery feedback. If this statement were even close to being true, there is an aweful lot of expensive construction equipment out there not amounting to a hill of beans. In all my shopping for my tractor, the R4's were the tire that was on 90% of all the compact tractors on the dealers lots. That has to mean something posative on their behalf. I personally believe that the R4's are an excellant tire, they may not do what an R1 will do. But then they were never designed to. My R4's have done everything I have asked of them, now my tractor only has 51 hours on it and there may well be a day when I will have to eat my words.

tdenny · Aug 11, 2003

Knute,

I'm with you in the great NW and have turfs on my tractor. I've never had any problem with traction at any time of the year but my soil is very rocky so I have NEVER had any mud on my land. I wouldn't ever consider using R1's since they would tear up my "grassy" areas. My neighbor sells greys (all have R1's) and his leave tracks everywhere. If I ever chose anything besides the turfs I would go straight to the R-4's. they look cool too!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Boondox · Aug 11, 2003

I knew this would become an animated thread! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The people who were not satisfied with R4s were those absolutely dependent on traction in abysmal conditions, and those with the sort of sticky mud that turned them into racing slicks. I finish mow with my aggies and rarely tear up the lawn, but I also have to deal with Vermont mud during spring thaw...and at least once each year I have to pull my neighbor's R4 laden JD 4700 out of the muck. R1s were the only choice for me.

Pete