What's a set of R-4 tires worth?

[RoyJackson]

In all fairness, the turfs are NOT loaded, and the R4's are. I wonder if that had a lot to do with the turf tires sliding on me? Decisions, decisions.........:confused2: I hear turfs are better in the snow. True???

My Deere 4400's turfs are filled, and it doesn't take much slope (on grass) to make 'em slip. Never had that with my old 790 and R-4's. These aren't old worn tires either...I'd estimate 70-80% or better.
I suggest you stick with the R-4's if your property has any slope to it.
As far as snow, get chains (especially in your area) regardless of which tires you decide on. You'll be glad you did...

 

[tj200]

I used to use chains when I hooked up the old 2 wheel drive tractor for snow removal, my opinion is they stink!

 

[wny770]

My Deere 4400's turfs are filled, and it doesn't take much slope (on grass) to make 'em slip. Never had that with my old 790 and R-4's. These aren't old worn tires either...I'd estimate 70-80% or better.
I suggest you stick with the R-4's if your property has any slope to it.
As far as snow, get chains (especially in your area) regardless of which tires you decide on. You'll be glad you did...

Those R-4's you used to have.... Were they filled? I thought of draining the R-4's for light work, such as mowing,and then adding wheel weights when the ground hardens up, or for winter...

 

[RoyJackson]

Those R-4's you used to have.... Were they filled? I thought of draining the R-4's for light work, such as mowing,and then adding wheel weights when the ground hardens up, or for winter...

Yes, they were filled 15-19.5 (pretty typical R-4 tire size for a CUT). Other then making impressions (which faded in a day or so), I had no problems. Any scuffing was done if the grass was wet or I turned too sharply.
So, I suggest you try them filled for a while (few months, at least) before you make a decision to remove the liquid ballast.

I will reiterate my suggestion to get chains before winter. As I wrote, they can be difficult to get for the more popular tires sizes (I wanted to get them in Feb 2009 (after a Nor'Easter in PA) but couldn't until April or May 2010). Www.tirechains.com folks can recommend the best chain when you describe your conditions.

 

[wny770]

That might not be a bad idea. This is the wettest April here in recorded weather history. My luck. The grass is growing and I have puddles..... and I live on a hill!!! Well, I can say I have two sets of tires anyway....

 

[wny770]

My last update. Today I put the turfs back on, for a final try before I try to sell them. This is going to sound nuts, but they left MORE tracks than my loaded R-4's. I know, sounds strange. The R-4's are back on, for good. If someone would have told me all this, I wouldn't have believed them. Anyone need a set of turfs????

 

[RoyJackson]

My last update. Today I put the turfs back on, for a final try before I try to sell them. This is going to sound nuts, but they left MORE tracks than my loaded R-4's. I know, sounds strange. The R-4's are back on, for good. If someone would have told me all this, I wouldn't have believed them. Anyone need a set of turfs????

Maybe not too surprising. Your R-4's are wider then the turfs, I'd guess. That means the turfs are putting more pressure per square inch of contact patch then the R-4's.

 

[wny770]

OK, getting tired of this? I took the loader off. Still marked the yard with the R-4 tires. I put the turf tires on. There is a noticeable difference. Not too bad..... Maybe the weight of the loader was causing the smaller turf fronts to dig in when I tried them before? The yard has dried out some this week. Maybe I was too impatient to get on the yard? In a wet spring, when you have to do the best you can, I'm leaving the turf tires on, and not looking back. They are easier on the lawn. I will just have to remember they are not loaded, and to be careful going downhill. This was a harder decision than mayo or mustard????:laughing: