Tires Turf vs. R4 Tires

[GreenBFarms]

Good Mornin'!
Was wondering if anybody has had any experience with the R4 tires tearing up grass (it'd be on a BX2670 or B2320)? We are undecided on turf vs. R4 tires because we do have about an acre of grass (more naturally seeded, not professionally manicured), but we also have a dirt/gravel driveway (1/4 mile long) and a 2 acre grove to maintain. Worth mentioning we don't have any snow to contend with but we will have some rain...
Thanks in advance!
GreenB

 

[turfgrass]

I mow 4 acres with a L3400 and Woods finish mower with R4 tires. I thought it would be more damaging---really not an issue. Only in tight corners with wet conditions do I ever see tire marks. Always mowing in 2-wheel drive. I probably mow 35 times per year, so this is no pasture! Note from my username, kind of a "turf quality fanatic". I do use a smaller 36-inch mower right around the house in really tight areas.

 

[TripleR]

No problem for us, we have Industrial tires on our BX2660.

 

[ruffdog]

I have noticed the turfs ride smoother than the r4 tires on the identical tractor. It is just like comparing a P metric tire to a D load rated tire for a truck.

 

[MoKelly]

I have turf tires and I like them a lot for mowing --- which is what I primarily do with my tractor. Even is pretty wet conditions they do quite well --- will press down on the grass but no damage.

I have never found the turfs to be an issue with other stuff I do -- primarily moving/hauling rock for the driveway/road, mulching or dirt. I will admit I don't excatly strss the tractor but, for me, turfs are perfect.

Good luck.

MoKelly

 

[dodge man]

Turfs are pretty good all around until they get in the mud, then not so good.

 

[rick480]

Turfs are also very good in snow. I world say best all around if you stay out of the mud.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had sleepless nights when I bought a small wheel loader with turfs. On account of different tires would have cost thousands! They have turned out to have remarkable traction. Maybe more then R4 since there are many more biting surfaces. If you get stuck on ice and there is nothing to bite on, your pretty much done and I am sure this applies to both tread styles.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I added chains to mine and run them year round. They help quite a bit in the mud too

 

[s219]

I have noticed the turfs ride smoother than the r4 tires on the identical tractor. It is just like comparing a P metric tire to a D load rated tire for a truck.

Well, the R4 tires have a much stiffer sidewall, so that's why. Turfs are a lot softer.

OP -- there are a lot of threads on this here, so you might want to do a search. But I think it boils down to your priorities. For front loader work and light construction, R4 tires are the best choice. For mowing, turfs are best. Think about the stuff you will do, and pick the tire that is the best compromise.

 

[AStanton]

I've got R'4's on a BX-25 and turfs on a B3030. I prefer the turfs. Unless you're going be on construction sites, digging footings, turfs are the way to go.

 

[DeereMann]

Turfs are also very good in snow. I world say best all around if you stay out of the mud.

Agree, or need to haul heavy FEL loads a lot. I have R3 Turf & just limit my FEL loads, as I only need my FEL 10-20% of total usage time. Most time is mowing/mulching/snowblowing. If you use FEL mostly, then get R4's.

 

[6Burgh]

My experience with my loaded R-4's vs turf on my BX25:

The ride was rougher with the R-4's.
In mud both made a big mess and neither had better traction. R-4s just dug ruts alot faster.
Mowing in small tight areas with either tire is gonna ruin the grass with the heavier tractor but R-4's proved worse for me
I have limited experience plowing with both in snow. Either seemed to do ok the way I ran them. With the loaded R-4's I didn't use the backhoe on for weight like I did for the turfs.

On that note since the initial project I bought the tractor for, I will say mine is used as an overpriced lawn mower 90% of the time and plowing, digging, etc... 10% of the time.

 

[brandoro]

I really like the turfs. This is my third tractor on turf tires. For FEL work I put the counterweight on the 3pt to keep from squashing the fronts with a full bucket. Works well. Traction is good in most situations, it easily pulls the grader scraper up and down the driveway with a big drag of gravel on it. It will spin out fairly easy in mud but at least it doesn't dig a hole that is hard to get out of.

 

[easygo]

Turf tires are far tougher then a lot of people make them out to be. I used both (turf and R4) and turfs were great for all but working in the woods. I would say without chains the turf tires grip better in the snow and there is very little difference during loader work in dry conditions or mowing. The only reason why I have R4 is because I use my tractor to skid logs. We have rocks on top of rocks and I have not mentioned the rocks yet. In that environment I need the toughest tire I could get. I have read here that someone bought a particular kind of tire because he thought it made the tractor look tougher. Terrible idea. Go with the one that works better for you.

 

[6Burgh]

Turf tires are far tougher then a lot of people make them out to be. I used both (turf and R4) and turfs were great for all but working in the woods. I would say without chains the turf tires grip better in the snow and there is very little difference during loader work in dry conditions or mowing. The only reason why I have R4 is because I use my tractor to skid logs. We have rocks on top of rocks and I have not mentioned the rocks yet. In that environment I need the toughest tire I could get. I have read here that someone bought a particular kind of tire because he thought it made the tractor look tougher. Terrible idea. Go with the one that works better for you.

Thats why I bought the tractor with R-4's. Looked like a tractor. The turfs make it look like a oversized riding mower. LOL

 

[RalphVa]

Turfs grip MUCH better than R4s in turning. Therefore, they will tear up grass more than R4s. The R4 bars just slide like ice skates. I had turfs on the 4010 and now have R4s on the new 1025. I'm citing my experience.

I took one of the turfs on the front off the rim twice because of low inflation. May have been a problem with the tire. Had no problem after replacing them. Had no problem with the rear turfs at all.

The turfs are great in snow. Have yet to try the R4s in snow. Have seen posting on here of others with R4s wanting to sipe them for better snow traction. My thinking is they won't turn well in snow and will have a tendency to slide sideways easily. Those bars are just like ice skates.

Ralph

 

[Finnster]

Thats why I bought the tractor with R-4's. Looked like a tractor. The turfs make it look like a oversized riding mower. LOL

x2. The turfs do look not so cool compared to the other tires. Goes from looking like a tractor to an overpowered mower. I'd call it the tie breaker. If your livelihood depends on it, then you need to be more selective. If you are a DIY residential homeowner and the tractor is in part your big man-toy and either one works well enough, go for what you like better. Suicide handlebars on a motorcycle isn't a performance enhancement. Cool on a cruiser, not so smart for a state patrol officer.

That being said, I would likely go for the turfs over the r4s if I had to do it over again. I was waffling over the same choice and went for the r4s (loaded) due to some stories of popped tires and beads, not to mention the r4s wear great and are very durable. Looks helped too, as well as the r4s are very expensive if you wanted them later and made the wrong choice.

I have some areas that are often wet/soft clay and the r4s are not so great there when mowing. I try to limit turns mowing as I can. Turns are what does the damage most often. The tractor had a lot of positive camber (from front: \-/ ) so the sharp edges really dig in. I think even turfs would be a let down compared to a zero turn or normal garden tractor, but that's not why I bought it. Mowing will always be a compromise with a tractor.

Plan is now to swap the f tires to turfs that have the soft rounded edges and go from there. I scored a set of new OEM f turfs for $100/pair. Not so worried about the rears.

The loaded r4s have been great so far in the snow. Turfs may be better, but have not let me down so far. Got some plans if I can get a cheap set, but not going to fret about it.

 

[easygo]

Thats why I bought the tractor with R-4's. Looked like a tractor. The turfs make it look like a oversized riding mower. LOL

I got a good laugh out of this. :drink: I guess that is the same reason why loud vacuum cleaners sell better too.

 

[cccamrd]

Hi Green B
Had a BX1800 w/turf tires... They always loaded up when in a muddy situation... Great on a dry lawn though. Ordered R4's on my new BX1860.... it has much better traction in wet conditions and very little imprint on the lawn..... Worked for me.
Just wish we had
more snow here in upstate NY.
ccamrd