Tires R4-Turf debate is over for me!

[TheFlatlander]

BX2660 R4-Turf debate is over for me!

I have had a couple of BX tractors ending with my current BX2660. This time I purchased 2 sets of tires and had both filled rears with rim guard. Previously I had Turf tires and although I had liked them for my use and soil conditions-grass cutting on soft sandy soil and snow plowing in the winter I wanted to try out the harder sidewalls and more aggressive looks of the R4's.

Summary. Both sets of tires are very good for intended purpose. I found the ride of the R4 to be much rougher, but the firm sidewalls performed better when using the loader and hauling heavy on the three point. I regret that with the soil conditions that I have here that they are a little rough on the grass. I really like the ride of the turfs and how they are easier on the terrain. I really haven't used the R4's very much. Just for a couple of hours in the post lawn season when I wanted to do some more aggressive loader work and chipper work. Didn't get to use the R4's in the snow yet, and most likely will not, as I just came across an un-intended additional difference. The R4's are about 3/4" taller in ride height and cause a loud clanging noise when I try to park my tractor in the garage under the hoist. What a surprise! Glad I was moving slow.

Just got done putting on the Turfs back on for the last time. Man, are filled rear tires heavy and a pain to change. Turfs win for me. R4's are going on Craig's list this weekend.

 

[TheFlatlander]

Re: BX2660 R4-Turf debate is over for me!

Just an FYI addition, Kind of got caught up in the earlier discussion but tires and rims are like new. The front rims are the late model large diameter rims with low profile tires and will fit all BX's. If somebody local is interested PM me. The rears are filled and I am sure that shipping would be undesirable.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The R4's on my BX25 have worked out good so far, although we don't do any farming/construction.

 

[Lt220]

I have owned 5 different tractors....1 Kubota and 4 JD's. I had turfs on the Kubota.......I liked them cause I basically used it for mowing only. R-4's on all the JD's. R-4's are better IMO for 3 point and loader work. My father-in-law is on his second BX25 with loader and backhoe. He has had turfs on both. Sometimes he wishes that he had R-4 tires but has been satisifed with the performance of the turfs......I guess it's a matter of preference and whatever works for you and your property.

 

[RTII]

I've got the R-4's on my BX 2660. Really happy with them. I can't believe how they and 4 wheel drive has gotten me out of every 2 wheel drive poor traction situation. Knock. Knock. Never been stuck where external help was needed. And not harsh on turf as long as the ground isn't wet.

 

[TripleR]

Agree that it depends on the tractor and your uses. We have all three types and they work well for their intended purposes. We have more Industrial tires than anything though.

 

[looknlearn]

I would think that with a 2WD tractor the R4s would be needed unless all you were doing was mowing. Whereas with a 4WD the traction is large enough even with turfs to do most things short of farming.
Just a though with no actual experience except with 4WD, R4 and a tiller.

Am I wrong??

 

[TripleR]

I would think that with a 2WD tractor the R4s would be needed unless all you were doing was mowing. Whereas with a 4WD the traction is large enough even with turfs to do most things short of farming.
Just a though with no actual experience except with 4WD, R4 and a tiller.

Am I wrong??

I don't think so, many TBN members use turf for everything they do including loader work and are happy with them.

My FIL bought a new MF 2 WD 375 with turfs. After a short time, he returned it for a 4WD with turfs on the back and ags on the front.

We use what works well for us and I am not willing to spend the money to do any experimenting with different tire combinations, so I can't definitively say how something else will perform.

 

[rScotty]

I would think that with a 2WD tractor the R4s would be needed unless all you were doing was mowing. Whereas with a 4WD the traction is large enough even with turfs to do most things short of farming.
Just a though with no actual experience except with 4WD, R4 and a tiller.
Am I wrong??

Not wrong, but some terrain is different. If the ground is hard as concrete then the larger lugs on R1 (Ag tread) or R4 (industrial tread) won't sink in for that extra traction. Then all any type of lug will do it to reduce the amount of rubber on the ground and that reduces traction.

Our ground is rocky dirt with little grass and so we tend to run turfs for traction even on larger tractors. But we recently tried a set of R4s. They are a nice compromise between summer and winter traction. One difference that surprised me is how much stiffer the sidewall is on the R4. Frankly the sidewall is so different that I think that ends up making a lot more of a difference than the tread pattern.
rScotty

 

[arrabil]

There is also the weight carrying capacity to consider. I'm in a bit of shock over the stock turf tires offered on my 4200. Add a loader, a backhoe, some RimGuard, and a full bucket and the stock turf tires are at the maximum weight carrying capacity with no margin for error. In fact, the front tires are overloaded with a full bucket when you consider the weight coming off the back and onto the front but I try to ignore that inconvenient little fact in my calculations. Needless to say, I've upgraded my front tires to heavier duty models and will do the rears in the next year or two as well.

Ag tires are even worse in this regard. Based on the specs, ag tires are strictly for 3pt work on my model of tractor.

Which is to say.... I MUCH prefer turf tires but I'd sure love to have someone make some extra strong ones.

 

[TheFlatlander]

I don't think so, many TBN members use turf for everything they do including loader work and are happy with them.

My FIL bought a new MF 2 WD 375 with turfs. After a short time, he returned it for a 4WD with turfs on the back and ags on the front.

We use what works well for us and I am not willing to spend the money to do any experimenting with different tire combinations, so I can't definitively say how something else will perform.

I agree, and have been able to use turfs for everything also. but I also purchased and tried the R4's and took the time to report back so that you might not have to spend the money to find out. That is what makes this forum interesting and worth participating. I have also taken advantage of what i have read and was able to save a few bucks or at least make the best use of what I spent. Just doing my part...and took one for the team here.

 

[TheFlatlander]

Not wrong, but some terrain is different. If the ground is hard as concrete then the larger lugs on R1 (Ag tread) or R4 (industrial tread) won't sink in for that extra traction. Then all any type of lug will do it to reduce the amount of rubber on the ground and that reduces traction.

Our ground is rocky dirt with little grass and so we tend to run turfs for traction even on larger tractors. But we recently tried a set of R4s. They are a nice compromise between summer and winter traction. One difference that surprised me is how much stiffer the sidewall is on the R4. Frankly the sidewall is so different that I think that ends up making a lot more of a difference than the tread pattern.
rScotty

rScotty- good point on the lack of rubber on the ground for hard surface. This also counts when PUSHING snow on a cold slippery surface. All of the extra tread, biting surfaces and sipes will actually offer better traction. But the sidewall difference is really beneficial and dramatically different. I wish there was a compromise of a turf with a little stronger side wall.

Additionally when on soft pack, From my experience with a BX the tire speed isn't fast enough to allow for the open treads to self clean out. I am sure that this doesn't apply to larger tractors though.

 

[TripleR]

I agree, and have been able to use turfs for everything also. but I also purchased and tried the R4's and took the time to report back so that you might not have to spend the money to find out. That is what makes this forum interesting and worth participating. I have also taken advantage of what i have read and was able to save a few bucks or at least make the best use of what I spent. Just doing my part...and took one for the team here.

And don't think we don't appreciate it.:thumbsup:

I could probably afford to do this on one tractor, but we own several and I sure as heck can't afford it on the bigger tractors. To make matters more complicated there are different styles of turf and ag tires.

I am satisfied with the performance of what I have, but I might be satisfied with something else too; who knows.

 

[looknlearn]

Ok, so R4s are good for caring weight because of the strong sidewall design and also are good on harder surfaces. Whereas R1 tires are better on softer ground and would wear very quickly on pavement. Turfs are good on pavement but don't have the load caring capabilities of R4s.
Correct?
Just trying to get my head around it.
Thanks

 

[arrabil]

looknlearn, you got it.

 

[Don87]

I purchased my Massey specifically because it had turf tires on it.
I use mine for everything, cutting grass to blowing snow.
I watched my neighbor slide down my driveway in the backhoe with R4's last winter. then I watched as he slid down his own driveway. He ended up turning around and using the hoe to get into his own driveway.
I'll throw a set of chains on my Massey, and come up the driveway even better than my old Cub Cadet(1 legged dog).
With the tiller on, tires don't matter for working the ground. With the rimguard in my tires, I seem to be able to go everywhere I need to(wet or dry).
So far, with my turfs, I've been able to accomplish every task that I've set out to do. Sometimes it takes a little longer(like digging with the FEL), but the job gets done.
The thing I like most about the turf tires is............the tires will spin long before you could ever do any damage to the tractor.
For my purposes........Turfs are tops:thumbsup:

 

[funwithahoe]

I purchased my Massey specifically because it had turf tires on it.
I use mine for everything, cutting grass to blowing snow.
I watched my neighbor slide down my driveway in the backhoe with R4's last winter. then I watched as he slid down his own driveway. He ended up turning around and using the hoe to get into his own driveway.
I'll throw a set of chains on my Massey, and come up the driveway even better than my old Cub Cadet(1 legged dog).
With the tiller on, tires don't matter for working the ground. With the rimguard in my tires, I seem to be able to go everywhere I need to(wet or dry).
So far, with my turfs, I've been able to accomplish every task that I've set out to do. Sometimes it takes a little longer(like digging with the FEL), but the job gets done.
The thing I like most about the turf tires is............the tires will spin long before you could ever do any damage to the tractor.
For my purposes........Turfs are tops:thumbsup:

I don;t know - I seem to be reasonable (splitting the difference and in the middle with everything) and I am planning to run R4's and a plow this winter - I don;t expect it to be able to plow 36 inches of snow but surely it can plow 18 inches with R4's?? I am not planning to pile it up 80 inches high but I hope to push it into a reasonable pile.

I don;t change my oil every 2 hours but do it like the manuals says at regular intervals. My equipment seems to last a long time (not forever but who cares?) !!!

Thanks,

Fun With a Hoe

 

[montelatici]

Unless you only mow on flat ground, the turf tires are absolute crap. With R4s you can mw and do real work and get out of situations that would require a tow to get out of with turf tires. Been there, done that.

 

[Don87]

I don;t know - I seem to be reasonable (splitting the difference and in the middle with everything) and I am planning to run R4's and a plow this winter - I don;t expect it to be able to plow 36 inches of snow but surely it can plow 18 inches with R4's?? I am not planning to pile it up 80 inches high but I hope to push it into a reasonable pile.

I don;t change my oil every 2 hours but do it like the manuals says at regular intervals. My equipment seems to last a long time (not forever but who cares?) !!!

Thanks,

Fun With a Hoe

Not long after I moved here, we got one of the big snows.
Everyone else used backhoes and dozers on that snowfall (the only part of my car that could be seen, was the very top of the roof)...........I used my 'one legged dog' Cub Cadet, with turfs, chains, and a front mount blower.
I was finished before them, but it stretched the devil out of my belts(had to replace them immediately).
Last year, we got the 'big snows' again here in Pa., but my blower was down.
Thus the backhoe in my driveway.
If we get the big snows again this year, I should be prepared.
But one thing is for sure(with turfs and chains)........I will not slide down my driveway like the neighbors backhoe did.:thumbsup:

 

[Don87]

Unless you only mow on flat ground, the turf tires are absolute crap. With R4s you can mw and do real work and get out of situations that would require a tow to get out of with turf tires. Been there, done that.

My ground is far from flat. But my tires are loaded, the Cub Cadet had loaded tires also