Turf vs R1 vs R4?

[cowboydoc]

i agree with you hambone. You never knew I was in the hay field or the pastures with my R1's, even on the big tractors. I'm not sure where the deal with R1's scuffing more than R4's came from.

 

[F350Lawman]

You never knew I was in the hay field or the pastures with my R1's, even on the big tractors.

I am not worried about my pasture or a hay field. I was talking about lawns. Here in NY we have had record rainfalls this year. It is hard to find a day between rainfalls to cut. Even in other years lawn tractors sometimes can't be used when we get a couple of days of rain.

The slightly wider less sharply lugged R-4s are borderline. The Ags would only make it worse. You probably have so much property that a sharp turn to you is one that is completed without leaving the county /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Around me even when you have several acres the "lawn' cutting usually involves some tight turning to cover the propertyand manuevering around trees. This is another area where the R-4s probably have an advantage in scuffing and gouging.

 

[zuiko]

I ordered mine with R4s because of the lawn issue. I would've gone with R1s if I didn't plan on mowing or doing much driving on the lawn.

That said, I considered putting R1 style tires on my lawn tractor, but that weighs 500 lbs and I don't think it would be a problem.

 

[CTyler]

I haven't had any trouble with my R4's and have been in plenty of mud. I've pulled my 4wd Silverado through a 1/4 mile of mud and the truck could hardly move on its own. It was slow going but never got stuck. I don't want to do that again though, way to much mud packed in tractor everywhere.

Digging out my catch dam it sinks a good foot or more and it still gets through it. I don't see a problem with the R4's. If R1's are better in the mud then great, to bad they can't be better on the other stuff like lawns, slopes, road, gravel etc.. I did not buy R4's to get thru the mud though.

Just because you dont' like R4's don't go saying others are ignorant about them. I think it shows ignorance and arrogance to make such statements. I firmly believe you owe an apology for those statements.

Your entitled to your opinion on things and I'm fine with your not liking R4's. Your not entitled to pass judgement for the rest of us.

I bought R4's, the correct tires for my needs.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I guess I'm the only one who likes turf tires especially the wide front and rears on my 990. They provide excellent flotation, look sweet, and I can sidehill very good. I do plow in the winter but I don't lose that much traction. And Titian tires are not crappy! There my favorite next to the Goodyear Soft trac pattern.

Nick
990 4x4 turf, 272 RFM, 430 loader, 25A flail

 

[glennmac]

Ok, I do apologize if my tone offended. I sometimes write very bluntly, not to insult anyone but just to make rhetorical points.

Let's not talk in absolutes. There are no "right" or "wrong" tires. You can get along with any of these tire types, do all the jobs you need to do, and be perfectly satisfied. Fitting in a garage is as good a reason to choose a tire as a reason related to soil or lawn.

Further, I limit my R4 rim, 4WD ratio, and profit margin claims to the Kubota L Series.

Certain facts, however, are inarguable. R1 treads are superior to R4 treads in terms of traction, side slippage and mud shedding. That may or may not be important to any given user.

But I have not clearly stated my project. I am not arguing in favor of R1's. My experience is that I have not been satisfied with any of the available choices: bias ply R1, R3 and R4 treads. None of those treads meet my needs.

I believe I have found the tire that does: a high-flotation radial R1W. I don't think many compact tractor dealers or buyers know what an R1W (or an R2) tread is, because none of the primary tractor manufacturers offer hi-float R1W's on CUTs. That's part of what my article will discuss. I'm getting way ahead of myself.

More inarguable facts: the Michelin radial R1W shown next to the Titan bias-ply 10-16.5 R4 (which is the standard on all L Series Kubotas and on many other large CUT brands):

1. Has better traction in dry soil than the R4.
2. Has better traction in wet soil than the R4 (or an R1).
3. Peforms much better in mud than the R4 (or an R1).
4. Has a much larger and lower pressure footprint than the R4 (or an R1), which (to a farmer) means less soil compaction and (to a lawn owner) means less scuffing and imprinting of lawns than the R4 (or R1).
5. Has stronger top and sidewalls than the R4 (or an R1).
6. Can carry a much heavier load than the R4 (or an R1), and at lower pressures.
7. Will last much longer in usage (including roads) than the R4 (or an R1).
8. Is the same price as the Kubota-sold R4.

These are all from tests and specs, not just my opinion.

My conclusion is: if I like bias-ply R4's (or R1's), why shouldn't I like high-flotation radial R1W's better?

I am hoping that all of the above is in fact new news to just about everyone. The complete story in two weeks.

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Glenn,

Are you going to use the factory installed R1's and then switch over to your new found love's for a true comparison?

 

[Neophyte]

Glenn,

Are you purchasing the R1W tires through your Kubota dealer? Who makes the R1W tires and where can I get more information on them? Can JD and NH special order this type of tire to fit on a new tractor?

 

[glennmac]

I can't help myself. I SO MUCH love these tires. (But the apocalyptic Oozama Ver Boten test is yet to come. Sunday.)

Here is Bob Wolff of Woodbury Tractor Company (originally a big skeptic), just earlier today, intentionally trying to scuff Connecticut-soaked turf with my Michelin radials.

He failed. Completely.

 

[Henro]

Glenn,

Will making a significant change to the tire type in any way impact your warrenty?

I guess reading several threads here recently got me paranoid or something... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif