Ag Tires versus Industrial tires

[Cougsfan]

Today I just bought a Branson 47 hp 4720ch. I will be using it for weed spraying on farm ground (fairly hilly ground), mowing on farm ground, Road work, snow removal, occasional landscaping, and just general small hobby farm stuff.

I am given the choice of ag tires or industrial tires. I told them ag tires. I am having second thoughts and can still have them changed to one or the other before delivery. The Industrial tires aren't nearly aggressive, and probably ride better and probably give good enough traction except in extreme conditions. I wont be doing much really heavy plowing, tilling or field work.

Would Industrial tires be a better choice? (the dealer seems to think so)

 

[murphy1244]

If you are getting a FEL I would advise to get r4 tires as the side wall is stronger.

 

[motownbrowne]

There are tons of threads on TBN that have covered this one pretty well. Someone might show up shortly with a link to the list for you. :thumbsup:

For you, it sounds like either will work. I do think however that ag tires generally ride softer than industrials because of their stiffer sidewall and smaller diameter. I have one tractor with each type. The industrials are nice because they don't wreck the lawn. Also, they're more puncture resistant. I don't have a loader on that tractor (the NH), so I can't attest to how well the front tire stand up loader work. My other tractor, which has ag tires and a loader will lift 2000+ pound on a pallet. So far, they've held up fine, but I don't much loader work. The ag tires have much better traction in soft, wet, or snowy conditions.

It's a trade-off either way. Pick which one will work the best for you more often.

 

[Deere Dude]

R4s would be better on a lawn. They won't rut it up as much.

It seems they are wider and less tall than ags and look better, which may be subjective to an individual.

I had the choice and took Industrial on my 45HP and don't regret it. But I don't farm and plow a lot.

I did do a lot of landscaping and digging into a giant pile of fill and never had a problem with traction or anything else.

 

[Wagtail]

R4 tyres get my vote... larger footprint but aggressive enough for most situations.

Extra advice below via the 'Similar Threads' area... but then, you knew that.

 

[oosik]

Hey there "dry sider" - I've had two tractors and both with R1's. I want the extra traction for snow and mud. I can & have grunted 2750 lbs with my grapple and the front R1's stand up well. Do you really plan on using a 47 hp tractor to mow lawns or doing a lot of traveling across your yard/lawn?? Yes, R1's can do more tearing/scuffing than R4's.

Brother, its been a long summer and I'm ready for some Coug's football and cooler fall days.

 

[arrow]

I've always had ags but my tractor does mostly logging and snow work. They rut the lawn terribly for the occasional foray of spreading or carrying stuff across. Makes me wish I had two sets of tires. In your case I'd definitely get the R4's. I think that after the fronts wear (they actually crack before they wear) I'll make the splurge for front wheels wide enough to mount radial ags. Allegedly, radials aren't supposed to scruff up the lawn.
In hindsight, probably what I should have done was to get a set of 8 ply turf tires and put chains on them. Just doesn't look as much as a tractor should look with turfs on however. I think one should get the notion of simply wanting to "chew" on the tractor with the right tire look.

 

[4570Man]

I much prefer R4s, but I do very little field work. I don't mow with my tractor, but it does travel across the yard often. R4s are better for all around work. I personally find the r4s to do better in firm mud. If it's slop I'm going to stay in the house.

 

[bindian]

R4s for loader work. R1s for pulling. A friend on here with a Blue Mahindra 7520 4WD with R4s, could not believe my Mahindra 6520 4WD pulls my Amco 9 foot offset disc. Even with 10 more hp and a turbo on the 7520 (and bigger tires) , I think it is the R1s that make the disc work behind the 6520.

Yeah, they tear up the yard, but it will grow back. I am sure I have been stuck bad enough that the R4s would have needed help from another tractor to get out. R4s are industrial tires and can handle more weight from the loader. My KMW 275 loader on my 6520 can make the R1s on front look flat when the 7 foot wide bucket is full!
hugs, Brandi

 

[Cougsfan]

Shows my green-horned-ness, Didn't even know they were called R1's and R4's. I am very familiar with Ag tires and have them on both my current tractors. Never used R4s. They do look better, and are stronger, from what I have read, but I just am not sure how much traction I am giving up and if it will ever be a problem, particularly in the snow. As some of you said, it is a matter of preference and both will work, Guess I will just have to make up my mind. Ag tires are the safest choice, so that is what i'll likely get. Funny thing is I will never know if I will regret that decision or not.

Brother, its been a long summer and I'm ready for some Coug's football and cooler fall days.

Coug football starts tomorrow! Should be a great season. And the cooler weather just arrived. Go Cougs!

 

[CADplans]

I think the OP made the argument to lean towards R4 tires by the type transmission selected.
A HST is typically not selected for pulling field work, a predominantly field work tractor has a gear drive transmission.
Pulling field work, or pulling woods work are two places R1 tires are the best.

I will probably never purchase another R1 tractor, because I will never pull a plow or field disc.
R4's or turfs for me,,, :thumbsup:

 

[sidecarist]

My Kubota L2900 with loaded R1 ag tires was horrible for plowing snow on a 2500ft gravel drive. Any kind of ice it wasn't going to push a thing. A friend had a similar tractor with R4 tires and it was MUCH better in the snow (on hard surfaces not field work) On hard pack snow or ice turf are best, R4 second, Ag a distant 3rd. I studded my Ags on the Kubota finally and it was almost as good as chains after that.

I went with R4 on the new tractor and so far don't regret it. I've pulled a 2 bottom plow no problem in unbroken ground. I'm debating about loading the rears but for now it's got plenty of traction.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have both types of tires on my tractors. The R4 tires are pretty much worthless in any type of mud. I use my tractor with R4 tires to clean out vegetation and mud from drainage ditches. Once the hard ground gets a film of mud on it, the R4 tires are pretty much worthless. I have had to use my tractor with R1 tires numerous times to pull my brother in law's R4 tired tractor out of muddy spots. I do this without spinning a tire. I don't see any problem with R1 tires on my tractor and using the FEL. It can haul a full rounded bucket of material and not even bulge the tires. You do have to carry near max air pressure in them for them to carry a 5000 lb. load and not squat. They do feel like you are running caterpillar tracks when carrying a heavy load over hard ground though. I can feel every lug when it hits the ground.

So Brandi, put some air in your front tires if they are flattening under load.

I do think that R4 tires have less wear than R1 tires especially if you do a lot of travelling on hard surfaces. They put a lot more rubber on the ground for less wear and better traction on hard surfaces. If you are going to use them in this way most of your time, then R4 tires would be my choice. Even plowing in hard dirt, the R4 tire will do ok, not so much in loose dirt though.

I suggest to the OP that he evaluate what he will be doing most and select the tire for the best option. Oh, and think about how you will get your tractor out of a slick muddy spot if it gets stuck with R4 tires. Do you have a second tractor or access to help from another tractor if you get stuck?

 

[art]

carrying a heavy load over hard ground though. I can feel every lug when it hits the ground.


I do think that R4 tires have less wear than R1 tires especially if you do a lot of travelling on hard surfaces. They put a lot more rubber on the ground for less wear and better traction on hard surfaces. If you are going to use them in this way most of your time, then R4 tires would be my choice. Even plowing in hard dirt, the R4 tire will do ok, not so much in loose dirt though.

Gary for what I've seen the tire life is virtually identical given the same type of options of where they are being used. Road use is the largest life killer of the tires and second up is tillage.
The wide low angle cleats of the R-4 or industrial tires doesn't clean well at all and the higher angle design of the R-1 ag tires work better in mud because of the bar angle. Ag tires for use in mud often are at 37 degree for quick cleaning although the lower bar angles will give better traction on harder surfaces. Typically fronts will go 1,500 hours and the rears 2,000 hours as an average. The ag tires without being loaded we are getting 4,000 to 5000 hours on the rears vs loaded about 2,000 hours.
Different applications require different solutions and sometimes patience is most important!

 

[jeff9366]

R1/ag tires are better in mud. The bars grip.

R1/ag tires are better if you clean animal pens. R1 tires throw off manure.

Every R1 tire I have seen is four ply.

R1 tires, vibrate hard and wear rapidly on hard surfaces.



R4/industrial tires are usually six ply, sometimes eight ply. Much more puncture resistant, especially tire sidewalls. Puncture resistance for the treaded bottoms is important if you operate close to burn piles; or around Mesquite or Locust trees with tire puncturing thorns. Heavier sidewall construction supports heavy loads carried in the FEL bucket.

R4 tires have a larger ground contact 'patch' therefore support heavy loads in a loader with more 'float'. This reduces load on your power steering. Slightly less likely to be swallowed in holes, making tractor with a loaded bucket less prone to roll.

If you fill rear tires with ballast, R4 tires have significantly greater interior volume. (I would not fill rear tires on a tractor carrying a Backhoe, which is ballast enough.)

With 4-WD, I plow and Disc Harrow regularly with R4, air-filled tires in Florida sandy-loam. No traction problem. Disc pictured has 20" diameter pans.

 

[super55]

I think everyone can agree if you want traction you can't beat R1 ags. I've had tractors with all 3 and Ags, Turf and industrials. The R4 industrial are the ones that I have now.

I personally don't care for the R4 tires. You really lose a lot of traction with them compared to R1. When my old tractor had R1s I could plow through the snow up past the axles and still not get stuck. If I did get hung up I could work my way out. The R4s I have now just don't have any bite. The R4s will spin out in easily for me in 8-9 inches of snow. You definitely don't have to worry about digging a hole with the tires because they will just spin on you.

I will admit though they do have a lot less of a footprint going across the lawn but if you are going to be doing a lot of pulling or skidding stuff Ags will insure you will get as much drawbar power as possible before breaking loose.

 

[motownbrowne]

Every R1 tire I have seen is four ply.

I agree with your entire post, Jeff. I am surprised you didn't link to other threads on this topic though .

I just wanted to say that there are ag tires with more than 4 plies. I know you didn't say they don't exist, just that you have seen them, but for other readers, there are stronger ag tires available.

 

[bindian]

It can haul a full rounded bucket of material and not even bulge the tires. You do have to carry near max air pressure in them for them to carry a 5000 lb. load and not squat. They do feel like you are running caterpillar tracks when carrying a heavy load over hard ground though. I can feel every lug when it hits the ground.

So Brandi, put some air in your front tires if they are flattening under load.

Gary,
Which tractor and loader do you have that carries 5000 pounds?:confused3: What are you carrying when you say a full rounded bucket of material? What material?

My loader is spec. at 3900 pounds. My tractor came with a wider than normal bucket. Not sure what ply tires came on the tractor. They are stock. I guess I stated my sentence wrong. When I put a full, over the top, all I can scoop up, bucket of clay in my bucket.........my sidewall flexes so much the tires look low, not flat. I run over normal inflation and inflate to never exceed psi, stated on the tire...........36 psi. The flex is always more noticeable on the left side than the right side. Anyway, I got a dumptruck now, so I don't have to carry a full load far, anymore.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

With 4-WD, I plow and Disc Harrow regularly with R4, air-filled tires in Florida sandy-loam. No traction problem. Disc pictured has 20" diameter pans.

Jeff,
That's not a disc, it's a dirt toy!:laughing:

This............................ is a disc.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Egon]

Oh-oh; when's someone gona post a picture of what may be a real disk.