Ag tires vs R4

[jenkinsph]

When you consider most of the members have small tractors that perform a multitude of utility type tasks from lawn mowing, fel, backhoe, grading and pulling a few small implements you would think it is obvious that R4 tires are a good choice. I suspect in normal conditions you can use R1, R4 and R3 for almost everything. That is not to say that some users do not need specific tires to meet their own conditions and uses.

I would surmise that for most people with average uses for a 20 to 50 hp compact tractor the manufacturers offer the R4 tires in most cases because these are a good general purpose design.

 

[bigbull338]

my MX5100 came with R4 tires on it.an to me they are better than the ag tires,as the ag will leave some deep ruts.an the R4s seem to stay on top of the ground as much as possable.

 

[goldenwings]

This..... what can I use to get through the combination of snow, with deep mud underneath on my little Deere 2520. The R4's like everyone says just load up. I'm not certain R1's would fair to much better as I'm almost certain you'd just end up deeper in the mud. The only thing I've found to get through this is my winch.

Anyone got a set of tracks I can install?

On another note, I'm curious as to whether the tires would be better off with some ballast in them. In the photo, I had my loader and ballast box attached. I did manage to get out without the winch after a couple of minutes though.

 

[Gods Country]

This..... what can I use to get through the combination of snow, with deep mud underneath on my little Deere 2520. The R4's like everyone says just load up. I'm not certain R1's would fair to much better as I'm almost certain you'd just end up deeper in the mud. The only thing I've found to get through this is my winch.

Anyone got a set of tracks I can install?

On another note, I'm curious as to whether the tires would be better off with some ballast in them. In the photo, I had my loader and ballast box attached. I did manage to get out without the winch after a couple of minutes though.

JMO, but loaded rears with the right chains should help tremendously.

 

[jenkinsph]

This..... what can I use to get through the combination of snow, with deep mud underneath on my little Deere 2520. The R4's like everyone says just load up. I'm not certain R1's would fair to much better as I'm almost certain you'd just end up deeper in the mud. The only thing I've found to get through this is my winch.

Anyone got a set of tracks I can install?

On another note, I'm curious as to whether the tires would be better off with some ballast in them. In the photo, I had my loader and ballast box attached. I did manage to get out without the winch after a couple of minutes though.

I don't think lgp tracks are the answer either to your problem. Better planning might help, cutting your firewood in the dry season and stack it to dry ahead of time. Operating a tractor in the conditions pictured is a newbie mistake imo. If you must go there put in a road when the weather improves.

We all have to learn sometime, been there and done that.

 

[goldenwings]

I don't think lgp tracks are the answer either to your problem. Better planning might help, cutting your firewood in the dry season and stack it to dry ahead of time. Operating a tractor in the conditions pictured is a newbie mistake imo. If you must go there put in a road when the weather improves.

We all have to learn sometime, been there and done that.

Would love to do that during the "dry" season.... thats about 1/2 of august though... not technically the dry season, but that seems to be about the only time I can drive in the swamp like conditions. That or when its completely frozen, which did not really happen this year. Unfortunately the majority of the property I have access to is this way. Would love to have some hills, but am stuck here with this low lying "wetland" type terrain.

 

[arnoldziffel]

So,

Is it safe to say that R1 tires, used on a 5100 pound tractor, CAN be used to brush hog a DRY field without too much rutting?

 

[nybirdman]

Do it all the time with a 7000lb.tractor and R1's.

 

[LouNY]

So,

Is it safe to say that R1 tires, used on a 5100 pound tractor, CAN be used to brush hog a DRY field without too much rutting?

I would expect it to be fine.

the first pic is about 24,000 pounds of tractor on R1's in a hay field.


This picture is 10,000 pounds of tractor in a hay field, no ruts on R1's

 

[arnoldziffel]

Are R1 tires available in extra WIDE widths?

 

[LD1]

Heavier tractors also have larger tires.

Dry ground and r1s are fine.

 

[redman135]

Hello arnoldziffel, google "Trellborg" tyres, they are an R1 type tread pattern designed to run at low preassure over soft ground with less rutting than standard R1s

 

[Bigpuddie]

Hello arnoldziffel, google "Trellborg" tyres, they are an R1 type tread pattern designed to run at low preassure over soft ground with less rutting than standard R1s

I have Trellborgs on my Massey. Great tires. Very smooth. Great flotation and traction.

 

[Reg]

So,

Is it safe to say that R1 tires, used on a 5100 pound tractor, CAN be used to brush hog a DRY field without too much rutting?

To answer your question DIRECTLY ; It is NEVER "safe to say" anything anywhere on the web.

To get at the content of your intent; Iffy maybe

To answer your question with a question, why would you ?

===================
If/when you cut ruts with R1s you are more likely to sink to the axles and be "Much more stuck".
With R4s you have a much better chance of "floating over" any wet spots - and yes, dry fields DO have wet spots.

Tip; Know what you are mowing, according to your location there will be indigenous "weeds" that magically appear in the wet spots.
Also, keep the bucket ON to kedge yourself out if/when you need to
Mow in 2WD, engage 4WD to get OUT ! Slip in 2WD is your warning, slip in 4WD and it is already TOO LATE.

 

[arnoldziffel]

Why not?

Dealers I've spoken with don't think R1 tires will tear up a dry field when mowing.

 

[tradosaurus]

I had to think long and hard on the majority of tasks I would be performing when selecting R1 vs R4 when I bought my new tractor a few months ago.

Since I would primarily be within trees, not on pavement, and general upkeep of gravel driveway I selected R1.

I asked an older man whose been operating small tractors for 35 yrs and he told me all he has ever used was R1 and had two flats in all that time. He utilized his tractors like I will mine.

 

[Reg]

Even dry fields have the occasional sharp rock or other bit of sharp whatever else, so why not use tires that have been developed for use on construction sites ?
BTW, if mowing a dry field is the ONLY application then there are far better machines for far less money than a 5100 lb tractor.

The "brush hog a dry field" is a single application in a specific condition.
The advantages of R4s in so many other applications and conditions makes them a superior choice.
R1s are NOT rated for loader use - do a bit of arithmetic if you have the time.
At a guess your hyporthetical 5100 lb tractor with loader can lift and carry a ton, possibly a metric ton.
That load is cantilevered out a few feet in front of the front tires, just do the beam/lever/fulcrum arithmetic to figure the load on the front tires, then go to the tables (or look on the sidewalls if you are already stuck with R1s).

So why WOULD you use R1s ?
{other than that a sales droid said they would be OK}

Salespeople do what they do, they SELL and whatever they have on hand is exactly what you need (double positive resulting in a negative coming right up) Yeah, Right.

 

[Bigpuddie]

Even dry fields have the occasional sharp rock or other bit of sharp whatever else, so why not use tires that have been developed for use on constructions sites ?
BTW, if mowing a dry field is the ONLY application then there are far better machines for far less money than a 5100 lb tractor.

The "brush hog a dry field" is a single application in a specific condition.
The advantages of R4s in so many other applications and conditions makes them a superior choice.
R1s are NOT rated for loader use - do a bit of arithmetic if you have the time.
At a guess your hyperthetical 5100 lb tractor with loader can lift and carry a ton, possibly a metric ton.
That load is cantilevered out a few feet in front of the front tires, just do the beam/lever/fulcrum arithmetic to figure the load on the front tires, then go to the tables (or look on the sidewalls if you are already stuck with R1s).

So why WOULD you use R1s ?
{other than that a sales droid said they would be OK}

Wow...learn something everyday. I have been involved in farming most of my life, ran loader tractors feeding 400+ cows twice a day, loaders cleaning out barns, and countless other chores on tractors with R1 radials and here I have been doing it all wrong. I guess those 175 hp loader tractors should have had R4 tires. Thanks for the correction. lol. I think I will stick with R1 radials. With R4 I would have been sliding everywhere in manure and wet feed. I have only had 1 tractor with R4 tires for loading retail mulch, which was a perfect application on mostly dry concrete all day.
Maybe the Steiger 550 needs R4 tires.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Even dry fields have the occasional sharp rock or other bit of sharp whatever else, so why not use tires that have been developed for use on construction sites ?
BTW, if mowing a dry field is the ONLY application then there are far better machines for far less money than a 5100 lb tractor.

The "brush hog a dry field" is a single application in a specific condition.
The advantages of R4s in so many other applications and conditions makes them a superior choice.
R1s are NOT rated for loader use - do a bit of arithmetic if you have the time.
At a guess your hyporthetical 5100 lb tractor with loader can lift and carry a ton, possibly a metric ton.
That load is cantilevered out a few feet in front of the front tires, just do the beam/lever/fulcrum arithmetic to figure the load on the front tires, then go to the tables (or look on the sidewalls if you are already stuck with R1s).

So why WOULD you use R1s ?
{other than that a sales droid said they would be OK}

Salespeople do what they do, they SELL and whatever they have on hand is exactly what you need (double positive resulting in a negative coming right up) Yeah, Right.

You use them so that you are always able to move. My 2T rated loader, heavily used, does fine on R1s. . . . And ruts are never an issue on dry ground.