What tires should you get on a new Tractor, R1, R4, or Turf?

[Reddogs]

I just got done 4 days straight of driving over logs and stumps with R1’s carry logs and brush in my grapple.
No sidewall damage, no flats.
They make heavier R1’s for that type of work you know?

View attachment 732555

Heres actual log skidder tractor photos
These look a heck of a lot more like R-1s than R-4s

View attachment 732559

View attachment 732558

R-4s are great for use on pavement and compacted soils. R-1 s will do anything R-4s will except last as long on hard surfaces.
Conversely, R-4s will not do nearly as many tasks as well as R-1s.

For the average small tractor and hobbyist not going into deep mud or deep snow, R-4s are fine.
However, I can’t understand why anyone would want a tractor, being used for it’s true intent, which is traction, not having R-1’s. They enhance the tractors traction and utilize more of its pulling power. They sort of give you more drawbar HP which is what you want for pulling or pushing things

Those R1s on the Kubota in the first picture are wider than the R4s that go on the L3301

 

[Hay Dude]

Those R1s on the Kubota in the first picture are wider than the R4s that go on the L3301

You can get wide rubber for your tractors if you want it. In some ways, wider R-1’s reduce traction in that they don’t dig down like narrow pizza cutter R-1s. However, I prefer the flotation from them to keep up on top of grass fields.
You guys would love wide R-1s. They have the paddle type tread for traction, but float on grass better-kind of like an R4.


Heres some extra wide R-1s (not my tractor)

 

[ptsg]

You can get wide rubber for your tractors if you want it. In some ways, wider R-1’s reduce traction in that they don’t dig down like narrow pizza cutter R-1s. However, I prefer the flotation from them to keep up on top of grass fields.
You guys would love wide R-1s. They have the paddle type tread for traction, but float on grass better-kind of like an R4.

Sure can. That what's used on this side of the pond on most tractors. Most come standard with the wide R1 Radials, even on 20 or 25 hp tractors.

I agree that people would love the wider R1 radials. Much better investment that doesn't really compromise the traction of the tractor compared to the R4.

 

[Reddogs]

You can get wide rubber for your tractors if you want it. In some ways, wider R-1’s reduce traction in that they don’t dig down like narrow pizza cutter R-1s. However, I prefer the flotation from them to keep up on top of grass fields.
You guys would love wide R-1s. They have the paddle type tread for traction, but float on grass better-kind of like an R4.


Heres some extra wide R-1s (not my tractor)

View attachment 732561

What makes it a R1 then, the tire design?

 

[Hay Dude]

Sure can. That what's used on this side of the pond on most tractors. Most come standard with the wide R1 Radials, even on 20 or 25 hp tractors.

I agree that people would love the wider R1 radials. Much better investment that doesn't really compromise the traction of the tractor compared to the R4.

View attachment 732562 View attachment 732563

Its like an R4 carcass with R1 tread.
Anyone buying a new tractor really needs to do their homework and investigate this.
Most buyers are too worried about HP, brand name, but not tires.
Just from a pulling standpoint, I bet a low end 25HP tractor with R1’s would pull more weight through soft ground, mud, snow than a top of the line 40HP tractor on R4s.

 

[ptsg]

Its like an R4 carcass with R1 tread.
Anyone buying a new tractor really needs to do their homework and investigate this.
Most buyers are too worried about HP, brand name, but not tires.
Just from a pulling standpoint, I bet a low end 25HP tractor with R1’s would pull more weight through soft ground, mud, snow than a top of the line 40HP tractor on R4s.

Oh easily. I've never used R4s or even seen a tractor with R4s in my country, but from what I've seen on videos, forum and etc, those seem to spin and slide just about everywhere, which can get interesting on a hill. To me, it just looks like spending money to go backwards on the capability and performance of the tractor.

 

[warrendeere]

I love the Turf tires on my JD 790, but it seems they tend to pick up any nail or sharp object and puncture constantly. Thus when I got my L3301 I was ok to see R1 tires, but after almost tipping over just hitting bumps on the road, I am looking at the R4. What should you look for in a new tractor to start with or does it matter.

From what i see, you are not experienced. Clearly you are pushing your boundaries past what they should be. There is ZERO way you could flip over a L3301 Kubota with r1 tires on the road by hitting bumps. You would have to be in the highest gear and do a 180 to roll. Plus, you said your new to tractoring so struggling to understand how you already have 2 tractors, but maybe im confused. Regardless, i would not recommend r4 tires. They are overrated. IMO the best are r14s. good traction, minimal turf damage and long life. If you must get r4s do not buy solideals. Look at titan/goodyear or carslile.

 

[GeneV]

My rears are at 20 PSI now (filled). I've tried as low as 15, but it made no difference. I've also run the chalk test, and am satisfied with the contact patch I'm getting. The wear pattern on the tires (which now have 1500+ hours on them) also indicates a history of good inflation pressures.

The bare tires work great on dry ground or even somewhat soft/wet (I don't go out in my woods when it's really sloppy out). In snow, going forward on level ground or straight up a slight incline, they are just "OK". Hardpacked snow or ice, or snow on top of those conditions is another matter entirely. I can get around if the slope is not too great, but there is not a chance of pushing snow off the hills in our driveway. In bad conditions, even the slight crown in the driveway is enough to start the tractor slipping sideways. It was slightly better when the tires were new, and still had some edges on the lugs, but not much. As it is now, our cars get up and down the hills better than a tractor with R4 tires: AWD minivan w/snow tires, AWD Subaru with studded snows, 2WD Chevy Bolt with studded snows). The Tacoma with "All Season" tires has to be in 4WD to make it up if there is much of anything on the driveway.

If your bare R4 tires are working well for you in the winter, that's great. They just aren't cutting the mustard here. Perhaps our definition of "sucks in snow" differs. I doubt I'd be happy with bare R1, R3, or R4 in the wintertime, though I have seem where Turf is a bit better on bare ice, and Ag tires can sometime power through deeper snow than my bare R4 tires.

I still like the R4 tires for the type of work I do, but for ice and snow, I'll keep my chains, thanks. It beats being stuck out in the woods a mile from home on a cold winter day, or just spinning my wheels when clearing the driveway, or only doing snow removal in a downhill direction and hoping that I keep it on the road, because if I slide off, there is little chance I'm going to be able to back out uphill with bare R4 tires.

Well I'm not here to argue with someone's experience, but I will say perhaps your issue is that you got worn tires.

Here's my 4 y/o Massey's tires:




And here's me plowing with them last week, including a side drive with something like an 18 degree slope (4:30 mark). Granted I plow down the slope, but I climb back up backwards any issue, and that side drive is slippery! I can hardly walk down that side drive in my creep sole boots w/o slipping/sliding (see vid).

 

[sea2summit]

Heck my rear R1's are at about 13 PSI.

My R4 rears don't even register on a gauge. Still lets you know when you hit a bump

 

[hube2]

I live on a hill. I have R1's and these are the same width as any other tire type for my tractor, and I have my tires filled. I wouldn't have anything else for traction on hills. Tread in the winter for me matters not at all. R1s do great in snow but I have to deal with a lot of ice in my sloped driveway. I use studded euro style chains. I don't know if the tire tread under these chains matters much but I do know I can go over an through a lot of ice and snow with very little problem. I keep my tires at the pressure listed in the OM.

 

[Hay Dude]

Hills & Ice = chains.
No rubber tire can defeat that combination up or down. You just spin or slide.

 

[Johnb0311]

Never seen a new tractor with those, can you get them from the factory with a new tractor, or have to order after..

My new Kioti came through with the R-14s. I like them. They don't tear up the lawn too bad if I have to cross and since adding beet juice to the tires they grab good. Just had opportunity to test them while snowblowing after 30 inch blizzard blew thru here.

 

[Hay Dude]

I could see the R-14s replacing turfs and taking business from R-4s
When you start seeing them on commercial backhoes and guys in Canada plowing snow with them, you KNOW they have the potential to change the thinking on tractor tires.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

They come standard on many new tractors, and you can order them if your current tractor needs new skins.
View attachment 732212

Just looking at the tread pattern alone, it looks like it would be relatively easy to make an R-1 into an R-14 with a tire grooving tool. However, you won't be able to change a bias ply into a radial that way though.

 

[Bobrown14]

I got R4's and personally I think they're the cat's meow. They don't load up with dirt and mud like turfs, they actually tear my grass up LESS then the turfs mounted on my zero-turn, and I will go on record to say that those who ***** about them in snow DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE 4WD AND LOCKING DIFF!

This ^^^ I've used my R4s in everything and they are fine. Even deep mud. Put my foot down on the diff lock and back out when in need.
I got turfs on my zero turn... I can dig up our soft turf pretty good with both TBH, and probably completely shred turf with the R4s - the zero turn just gets stuck and bogged down.

 

[John_Mc]

I just got done 4 days straight of driving over logs and stumps with R1’s carry logs and brush in my grapple.
No sidewall damage, no flats.
They make heavier R1’s for that type of work you know?

View attachment 732555

Heres actual log skidder tractor photos
These look a heck of a lot more like R-1s than R-4s

View attachment 732559



R-4s are great for use on pavement and compacted soils. R-1 s will do anything R-4s will except last as long on hard surfaces.
Conversely, R-4s will not do nearly as many tasks as well as R-1s.

For the average small tractor and hobbyist not going into deep mud or deep snow, R-4s are fine.
However, I can’t understand why anyone would want a tractor, being used for it’s true intent, which is traction, not having R-1’s. They enhance the tractors traction and utilize more of its pulling power. They sort of give you more drawbar HP which is what you want for pulling or pushing things

Skidder tires are a whole different world than what are used on compact tractors. They are designed to be resistant to the types of hazards you find on logging jobs. I suspect that the options for heavier construction are available for larger tractors as well.

Clearly it's possible to make a tire with an Ag-style tread with sidewall construction as heavy or more heavy than an R4 style tire. However, you seem to have missed the first line of my post (#36 in this topic): "I use R4 tires on my tractor because they are tougher construction than the R1 tires I've been able to find in my size." [emphasis added].

If I could find R1 tires with heavier construction in a size to fit my compact tractor (15 x 19.5 in an R4 or 11.2-24 in an R1) I'd most likely already be running them. I was told by a contact at Titan of the sidewall construction difference in the two, and chose R4 because of that.

As mentioned elsewhere, I don't drive in my woods in muddy conditions - because I don't have to. That's just a recipe for tearing up my trails and starting major erosion problems in these hills. As far as deep snow or icy conditions, neither R4 nor Ag tires will get the job done around here unless you put chains on them. With the right chains, you'll run rings around the same equipment with bare tires of any tread type in the winter in our area.

As it happens, we just finished a logging job on a property I own jointly a few miles down the road. When we put the contract out for bid, we specified that it would be done under frozen winter conditions, to protect the soils and water quality. Here's a picture of the skidder used on the job. It may be difficult to see under the chains, but they are Ag style tread. Regardless of the tread, you simply don't see a skidder operator running without chains in this area in the winter.

Even the log trucks have chains:

 

[therrien]

I use R4 tires on my tractor because they are tougher construction than the R1 tires I've been able to find in my size. R4 tires especially tend to have tougher sidewall rubber. The main use for my tractor is working in the woods in rocky, hilly terrain. Logging in those conditions can be hard on tires. The rocks and sapling stumps are more likely to punch a hole in the the sidewall of an R1 tire than an R4 (the ply ratings mostly refer to the tread of the tire, not the sidewall).

My other uses are for grading our 1/4 mile driveway (where the R4 tires have plenty of traction) and snow removal on our 1/4 mile hilly driveway. I used bare R4 tires (filled, no chains) to clear our driveway when I lived in the flatlands of NW Ohio. They worked out OK there. When it comes to using them in the foothills of the Green Mountains here in Vermont, I'd have to say I agree with those who say they suck in snow - especially when you have enough hours on them to have rounded off the edges on the lugs. On icy hills, don't even bother trying. (And, contrary to what some may suggest, I'm well acquainted with the proper use of 4WD and locking differentials. I'd just love to stand by and watch while you attempt to use your superior skills to get up my driveway. I'll try not to laugh too hard.) When the wrong conditions have set in, you can't get up the main hill in my driveway with the bare R4 tires even when you are not pushing snow. I dealt with those traction issues by running Euro-style studded chains on my rear tires and steering with the brakes when necessary. I like the chains enough that I use them in the woods for more than just winter use.

Since my R4 tires are nearing the end of their life, I've started exploring R14. They may have the traction to avoid the need for chains in some conditions, particularly in the woods (Though I'm betting I'll still need them on ice.)

I did exchange a few emails with an R&D guy at Titan about the R14 tires. I asked about whether my chains for my R4 15 x 19.5 tires were likely to also fit the R14 tires in that size. I also asked about the relative toughness of the tires, particularly in the sidewalls. His responses:



I'm still hoping to talk to a user in my area who uses his tractor similarly to how I do before I get to the point where I have to actually place the order. However, that's an encouraging initial look.

I will give my short amount of experience with R14's. I had a Kubota B1700 for over 20 years with r4's that were not good in the snow, so when I moved into an LX2610 I went with the standard size (not larger) R14's. Now I only have 29 hours on them but I find they are much better in the snow and ice. I do find they do more turf damage than the r4's. these tires are loaded with beat juice and my r4's were not. I also find they are better in compost type soil for traction but they track the soil all over the yard. My tires are 6 ply, the same as my r4's were. The tread depth is slightly less with the r14's than with the r4's according to the specs given for the tires available for the LX 2610.
I have to be more careful running over the lawn but I am happy with my decision so far and we have had a lot of ice recently.

 

[Hay Dude]

Well, I guess you need to look a little harder?
Theyre out there.
Log skiddys run w/ & w/o chains.
Cool pics!

 

[FERLING]

I got R4's and personally I think they're the cat's meow. They don't load up with dirt and mud like turfs, they actually tear my grass up LESS then the turfs mounted on my zero-turn, and I will go on record to say that those who ***** about them in snow DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE 4WD AND LOCKING DIFF!

What I like is they go in snow no matter if you are going forward or reverse.

 

[WilliamBos]

Dad's 1635 came with Radial turf tires, absolutely amazing in snow. Bought a new set of Unverferth wheels and R1 tires last fall, they arrived and were installed in July.

It is an entirely different tractor, sits up higher too. In all honesty, I would get both sets of tires again, nice having options.