Tires Diff between R1 and R4 tires?

[Johndeere3720]

I have used both R1s and R4s in mud before. Yes they were different machines but its strait data that im looking at. My Yanmar has R1 tires in which i have used in muddy conditions quite a bit. This is a US market tractor with the US R1 tire, not rice paddy tire. That little tractor hasnt got stuck once since I owned it but it has come clse a few times. But every time I either put it in a higher gear or Used Differential lock and it would pull right out. They arent the best but here in Oregon our snow is very wet and packs into a thick layer of ice. The narrowness of the R1 takes away ground contact which will reduce traction efforts in the right soils. I have used R4s on the 3720 and the skidsteer and have got both stuck. I usually can use the bucket to push out of the mud but the height makes it a lower stance whicg will bury the axle quicker. The R1s on my Yanmar ride really well on the road, I have ran on the road in high gear for about a mile from my uncles to my grandparents on a back country road. great ride, similar to R3s and R4s on the road.

 

[whistlepig]

Your words are published words.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have seen many similar pictures with R1s. If the ground conditions are right, ALL tires will load up and you will have slicks, that is just the way it is. This has been said here and before many times.

Really.??

Post 'em up...them those pictures of Ag's loaded up in mud about as deep as the tread.

Same thing often happens in snow. R4's load up.

First off, I said that I have seen similar pictures, not that I had the pictures, and I don't care to spend the time to find them.
Second, do you think that if that tractor had R1s, that it would not be stuck? It looks as though the mower is the actual cause of the problem in that picture. I suppose that if it had R1s, maybe the extra height from the tires would have prevented the tractor from getting stuck, I can only guess at this point.:confused3:

 

[milkman636]

R1s are an obvious choice for draft work, but the two worst times I have been stuck were both with r1s in the mud. Once, bush hogging an unfamiliar field I hit a soft spot and dug in to the axle in about two seconds. The other was disking a neighbor's garden spot in the spring. The bush hog and disk were sitting on the ground with the hitch in the full up position both times. (Ugly). Mud can be a gamble with the best tires on your tractor. Ice or water can win at any time. When conditions are bad, the trick is to choose your battles carefully and equip yourself with a back up plan. On both of these occasions I was caught completely off guard with out anything to help me get out.

I just bought my first set of R4s on Wednesday. My main consideration was the 3 inches of extra tire width they added on each side of the front axle without sacrificing too much bite, I am also hoping for a slight increase in front tire life. Time will tell if I made the right decision.

 

[TGF]

I don't think a 3038e weighs even close to 4000lbs. with a loader.

Somewhere between 2500 and 3000 I think is closer estimate.

You are correct, I grabbed my last scale tag (yes in NE pickups with trailers have to do weigh stations) and its coming in around 3300 with loader and box blade after subtracting trailer weight.

Something else to bring up is traction is directional, so if you get stuck going forward more than likely backing out is going to be difficult. They won't clean in reverse. I'm not talking about backing down a hill when you get stuck going up, with gravity helping you out.

 

[TripleR]

Man, people get excited about this sort of thing. I wonder why they even offer R4's on tractors if they are as bad as some claim.

 

[Modn]

Man, people get excited about this sort of thing. I wonder why they even offer R4's on tractors if they are as bad as some claim.

Amazing isn't it?? Some people are hard headed either way. I guarantee some have never run the other "bad design" they claim on their tractor. I currently have R-4's and never got stuck yet, therefore they are the best tire for ANY situation..... Not really, but they work for me. I've had both R-1 and R-4 tires and IMHO neither one shines as the best. My opinion is more time in the mud then get R-1, other than that get the R-4. I have never run turfs, but hear they are superior is the snow and lawns obviously. We have all conditions here too....from snow (measured in feet) sticky gray clay, sand, rock and gravel base, and swampy. Like I said I haven't had an issue with the current R-4's or the R-1's (different tractor), but you always need to use your head.:confused2:

 

[SPYDERLK]

I run out of power while disking, usually up hill with the soil in just the right conditions when that occurs. First gear low range there is always power, but that is not a working gear for disking. I have only been stuck 2 times, both times because of the shorter R4 tires and getting hung up on the draw bar undercarriage.

Never been stuck with my AGs on the 7520 4wd but even with the added couple inches height offered by the AGs the low undercarriage on it still worries me in soft conditions. You have to catch sinking quick or youre belly hung. Not fun at all with your heaviest piece of equipment. The R1s performed well in last years 2' snows even tho the tires were unloaded [water]. I had to do some fence clearing of snow downed trees with the "lightweight" tractor. The tufest was working in constricted space on the bottom of a hill, lifting a 12"pine and not having anywhere to put it. Even with the 1600# counterweight turning around was going to turn me over so I backed up the 15 degree hill in 20" snow. Constant progress but a LOT of spinning. I found seesawing the steering rapidly left/ right to be a telling factor. There was no question of getting stuck - I just didnt want to leave the tree.
larry

 

[lilranch2001]

Man, people get excited about this sort of thing. I wonder why they even offer R4's on tractors if they are as bad as some claim.

I would question why the vast majority of tires sold on CUT's is R-4's, It seems like the manufacturers have an opinion, and it speaks volumns

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Amazing isn't it?? Some people are hard headed either way. I guarantee some have never run the other "bad design" they claim on their tractor. I currently have R-4's and never got stuck yet, therefore they are the best tire for ANY situation..... Not really, but they work for me. I've had both R-1 and R-4 tires and IMHO neither one shines as the best. My opinion is more time in the mud then get R-1, other than that get the R-4. I have never run turfs, but hear they are superior is the snow and lawns obviously. We have all conditions here too....from snow (measured in feet) sticky gray clay, sand, rock and gravel base, and swampy. Like I said I haven't had an issue with the current R-4's or the R-1's (different tractor), but you always need to use your head.:confused2:

WHAT! Do you mean if a person uses an ounce of common since that maybe, just maybe they would not have some of these problems?

I still can't figure out why any company even bothers to produce R4s, after all, they are worthless. :thumbdown: But for some odd reason, who knows how or why, :confused2: I will keep plugging along with my horrible R4s that serve me well on 3 of my current tractors. But I assure you that I am extra careful to not work the tractors in the dirt, mud, snow or ice. Heck, I best not take them off of warm dry pavement in fear of getting stuck or sliding somewhere that I shouldn't be and not be able to get back. :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

Amazing isn't it?? Some people are hard headed either way. I guarantee some have never run the other "bad design" they claim on their tractor. I currently have R-4's and never got stuck yet, therefore they are the best tire for ANY situation..... Not really, but they work for me. I've had both R-1 and R-4 tires and IMHO neither one shines as the best. My opinion is more time in the mud then get R-1, other than that get the R-4. I have never run turfs, but hear they are superior is the snow and lawns obviously. We have all conditions here too....from snow (measured in feet) sticky gray clay, sand, rock and gravel base, and swampy. Like I said I haven't had an issue with the current R-4's or the R-1's (different tractor), but you always need to use your head.:confused2:

Good points, in my opinion none are bad, some just tend to work better in different applications. We have Ags on all of our 2WD tractors as well as our M8540 and Industrials on our BX2660, JD2305 and L5030 and Case backhoe, on our MF375 we have turfs on the back and Ags on the front.

Unless I can avoid it when it is muddy the tractors stay parked, but when I was farming they were used in all types of conditions. We do work on ponds, so I have had all types in mud and as mentioned have been surprised at how well the Industrials did. My choice for mud is still Ags, but Industrials are far from useless and my Industrials will be replaced with another set just like them.

I would question why the vast majority of tires sold on CUT's is R-4's, It seems like the manufacturers have an opinion, and it speaks volumes

Kind of makes you wonder why Craigslist or others are not chocked full of R4 takeoffs from dissatisfied users doesn't it.

 

[k0ua]

Ok my turn, I have had R1 and I have R4 now, There is no "best" tire for all conditions. The questions that Newbies ask is "which tire should I buy". This is a very hard question to answer. We dont know what kind of ground conditions the Newbie is going to operate in, or what he wants to do with the tractor. If he is going to operate a CUT in an suburban setting, that usually means driving across his damp lawn. In that case he does not want R1 tires period! But the Newbie does not know that, and he needs to be informed that R4 tires are a good compromise, yes compromise for traction versus tearing up his lawn. Turfs are better on the Lawn, but might not be the best for loader work. Why do you think that the vast majority of CUTS are running R4 tires,? it is because they are a good compromise for most suburban owners of CUTS. Are R1 tires better in the mud? Of course they are. Why do you think they make them? They are best for pulling a plow, will offer the best traction in moist to wet soils, and probably snow as well. But most suburban owners of CUTS probably need R4 tires. As for the JD with the rotary cutter stuck in the mud with the R4 tires, I would ask "what in the He** was he doing there anyway" it was way too muddy to mow, where was he going? When it is that muddy, keep the tractor in the barn! We suburban owners do not have to operate our tractors to make a living, we just use them to maintain our property. So when the conditions are too bad to operate the tractor, keep it in the barn and watch TV instead! If you HAD to take the tractor down there at that time, then maybe R1 tires would have kept the tractor moving, maybe not. The one and only time I have gotten stuck in 18 years of tractor owning and operating, was with R1 tires. Stuck is defined as when you cannot get out with the tractor/loader itself. And you get off and do the walk of shame and ask the neighbor for help. The SUV and a chain, and a skillful neighbor got her out after I put her on the axle. Oh, and by the way R1's make excellant digging tools for an inexperienced user to dig his "way to china" real quick! So there you have my opinion, if you are a farmer or professional that has to get out in the soup, and or plow, you need R1 tires, if you are a suburban weekend warrior you need R4 or turf tires.
James K0UA

 

[Don87]

Such unnessecary sarcasm coming from a few on here over a tire design.
All places are not the same, every driveway or roadway is different.
What works at Roy's place(for example) won't work here 100% of the time, what works best here, is overkill at his place.
I've never had ags in my driveway, dunno what would happen.
R4's are limited with heavy snow, and icy conditions(which we had in febuary).
Turfs with chains, at my place.........I know will work.
Been doing it for 14 years now.

 

[Don87]

Ok my turn, I have had R1 and I have R4 now, There is no "best" tire for all conditions. The questions that Newbies ask is "which tire should I buy". This is a very hard question to answer. We dont know what kind of ground conditions the Newbie is going to operate in, or what he wants to do with the tractor. If he is going to operate a CUT in an suburban setting, that usually means driving across his damp lawn. In that case he does not want R1 tires period! But the Newbie does not know that, and he needs to be informed that R4 tires are a good compromise, yes compromise for traction versus tearing up his lawn. Turfs are better on the Lawn, but might not be the best for loader work. Why do you think that the vast majority of CUTS are running R4 tires,? it is because they are a good compromise for most suburban owners of CUTS. Are R1 tires better in the mud? Of course they are. Why do you think they make them? They are best for pulling a plow, will offer the best traction in moist to wet soils, and probably snow as well. But most suburban owners of CUTS probably need R4 tires. As for the JD with the rotary cutter stuck in the mud with the R4 tires, I would ask "what in the He** was he doing there anyway" it was way too muddy to mow, where was he going? When it is that muddy, keep the tractor in the barn! We suburban owners do not have to operate our tractors to make a living, we just use them to maintain our property. So when the conditions are too bad to operate the tractor, keep it in the barn and watch TV instead! If you HAD to take the tractor down there at that time, then maybe R1 tires would have kept the tractor moving, maybe not. The one and only time I have gotten stuck in 18 years of tractor owning and operating, was with R1 tires. Stuck is defined as when you cannot get out with the tractor/loader itself. And you get off and do the walk of shame and ask the neighbor for help. The SUV and a chain, and a skillful neighbor got her out after I put her on the axle. Oh, and by the way R1's make excellant digging tools for an inexperienced user to dig his "way to china" real quick! So there you have my opinion, if you are a farmer or professional that has to get out in the soup, and or plow, you need R1 tires, if you are a suburban weekend warrior you need R4 or turf tires.
James K0UA

Very well stated.

 

[Modn]

Very well stated.

I agree :thumbsup:

 

[wny770]

Well, 1st snowfall here last night. 10" of moderately wet snow. T1510 with loaded R-4's. I was worried after all the "posts", but I never used the four wheel drive. We'll see how they are when we get a real snowfall, but so far so good.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

A person needs to take an honest look at what they are going to be doing with the tractor MOST of the time.

If you're mainly mowing a lawn, then turf tires will most likely be your best bet, after all that's why their called Turf tires.

If you will be doing agriculture work most of the time, then more than likely Ag tires would be the best that you could have to get the most performance out of your tractor. Again there is a reason that they call them Ag tires.

If you're not doing mainly one or the other of the above, then R4s would likely be the best all around tire for you. Now of course there are always exceptions, but sort of like a utility tractor, one thing for many uses.

Just my opinion, and obviously others disagree. :2cents:

 

[troutsqueezer]

Alright, no one here has said it yet so I'll chime in:

R4's look better.

 

[Don87]

Alright, no one here has said it yet so I'll chime in:

R4's look better.

Oh, lord............now another heated debate. SEE what ya caused now:laughing:

 

[lilranch2001]

Alright, no one here has said it yet so I'll chime in:

R4's look better.

agreed :thumbsup: