3320 - Tire question

billyo · Jun 2, 2006

I've been wearing myself out with the whole JD vs Kubota thing, and I think I've finally decided on the Deere 3320. Drove one today for about an hour, and really liked it. Anyway, when I parked it back on the lot beside a 3520, I noticed the R4 tires were different on the two tractors. The 3320 had the 15/19.5's with the usual R4 ribs, and the other had 43-16/20's with ribs that were curved differently. Both were Galaxy brand. I checked the JD configurator, and either is available for the 3320. However, the larger tire has a 4 ply rating, while the other is a 6. I really like the looks of the larger tire on this tractor. Is there any reason that I should not opt for the 43-16/20's? The tractor will have a backhoe & loader, and will see plenty of time in the mountains and mud.
I didn't get the model name from the tire, but Galaxy's website shows a "Marathon" that I believe to be it.

billyo · Jun 2, 2006

I've been wearing myself out with the whole JD vs Kubota thing, and I think I've finally decided on the Deere 3320. Drove one today for about an hour, and really liked it. Anyway, when I parked it back on the lot beside a 3520, I noticed the R4 tires were different on the two tractors. The 3320 had the 15/19.5's with the usual R4 ribs, and the other had 43-16/20's with ribs that were curved differently. Both were Galaxy brand. I checked the JD configurator, and either is available for the 3320. However, the larger tire has a 4 ply rating, while the other is a 6. I really like the looks of the larger tire on this tractor. Is there any reason that I should not opt for the 43-16/20's? The tractor will have a backhoe & loader, and will see plenty of time in the mountains and mud.
I didn't get the model name from the tire, but Galaxy's website shows a "Marathon" that I believe to be it.

browns40 · Jun 2, 2006

Hi Billyo,

I have the larger "new style" R-4's on mine, as they came on it.

I think looking at them that these have a little better floatation and perhaps a lower psi to compact ground with when mowing.... there appears to be more tread to channel, if you follow me.

They do not appear as aggressive as the "older" models, so I would guess there id a trade-off in traction.

I find they fill up with mud pretty quickly, and it stays put (which everything but Ags tend to), and I'm a little turned off by the 4 ply vs. 6 ply rating on them... but in 190 hours have had one flat on the front d/t a nail in a 2x4 I missed.

If you are primarily mowing & working in open areas they seem a better choice; if you are going into the woods & spending a lot of mud time, I think the 6-ply are a better choice.

I would get the 6-ply if I had to do it over--but these are the only ones I've used, so ?????.

browns40 · Jun 2, 2006

Hi Billyo,

I have the larger "new style" R-4's on mine, as they came on it.

I think looking at them that these have a little better floatation and perhaps a lower psi to compact ground with when mowing.... there appears to be more tread to channel, if you follow me.

They do not appear as aggressive as the "older" models, so I would guess there id a trade-off in traction.

I find they fill up with mud pretty quickly, and it stays put (which everything but Ags tend to), and I'm a little turned off by the 4 ply vs. 6 ply rating on them... but in 190 hours have had one flat on the front d/t a nail in a 2x4 I missed.

If you are primarily mowing & working in open areas they seem a better choice; if you are going into the woods & spending a lot of mud time, I think the 6-ply are a better choice.

I would get the 6-ply if I had to do it over--but these are the only ones I've used, so ?????.

JasonMac · Jun 2, 2006

I chose the larger R4's for my tractor, because of better ground clearance, and better flotation on soft ground. Also you get quite a bit better Road/Travel Speed on the larger R4's. Also the larger R4's just seem to fit the machine a little better. The way I look at it, if you drive across a nail, your pretty much done no matter what. Just be careful that's all. You would still have to be as careful with 6ply as you would 4ply.

JasonMac · Jun 2, 2006

I chose the larger R4's for my tractor, because of better ground clearance, and better flotation on soft ground. Also you get quite a bit better Road/Travel Speed on the larger R4's. Also the larger R4's just seem to fit the machine a little better. The way I look at it, if you drive across a nail, your pretty much done no matter what. Just be careful that's all. You would still have to be as careful with 6ply as you would 4ply.

billyo · Jun 4, 2006

Thanks, guys. I decided to just stay with the regular 15/19.5 R4's. They are only slightly smaller, and I figured with the added weight of the backhoe, the 6 ply rating would be better.

billyo · Jun 4, 2006

Thanks, guys. I decided to just stay with the regular 15/19.5 R4's. They are only slightly smaller, and I figured with the added weight of the backhoe, the 6 ply rating would be better.

jmt1271 · Jun 4, 2006

( I chose the larger R4's for my tractor, because of better ground clearance, and better flotation on soft ground. Also you get quite a bit better Road/Travel Speed on the larger R4's. Also the larger R4's just seem to fit the machine a little better. The way I look at it, if you drive across a nail, your pretty much done no matter what. Just be careful that's all. You would still have to be as careful with 6ply as you would 4ply. )
thats pretty much true about nails, but when "rubbing" against debris and stumps the 6 ply should have half again more abrasion resistance than the 4 ply, right? at least that was my thinking when i went with the smaller tires. i would have liked the bigger ones, but wanted to minimize my chances of flats.

jmt1271 · Jun 4, 2006

( I chose the larger R4's for my tractor, because of better ground clearance, and better flotation on soft ground. Also you get quite a bit better Road/Travel Speed on the larger R4's. Also the larger R4's just seem to fit the machine a little better. The way I look at it, if you drive across a nail, your pretty much done no matter what. Just be careful that's all. You would still have to be as careful with 6ply as you would 4ply. )
thats pretty much true about nails, but when "rubbing" against debris and stumps the 6 ply should have half again more abrasion resistance than the 4 ply, right? at least that was my thinking when i went with the smaller tires. i would have liked the bigger ones, but wanted to minimize my chances of flats.