Tires 4-ply or 6-ply Front Tires?

[arrabil]

Howdy. My front tires need to be replaced. My only choice is basically 4-ply or 6-ply. The 25x8.5-14 Carlisle Mutli-Trac C/S is rated at 1320lbs@22psi for 4-ply and 1640lbs@32psi for 6-ply.

Currently I'm unhappy with how much the sidewalls flex when the loader bucket it empty, let alone filled with dirt. Though I'm unsure if this is because they are so old and worn out or because they are the 4-ply and under-rated for loader work. I'd like to get the "right" tire but I don't want to spend more than necessary (obviously).

The cost difference is $100/pair because I would buy 4-ply blems but I only see 6-ply in new condition. Comparing new to new would be a $42/pair difference.

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[firefighter9208]

I personally abuse tires. I would go with the highest ply rating available in that size. It all really depends on how you are going to use your tractor. In the woods? Lots of loader use?

When bushhogging on Saturday I had two flats from thorns through the front tires on my kubota. 9.5L-15SL 8 Ply rated. I have had flats in the past from thorns, sticks, etc... in the woods.

JMHO.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

I'd get the 6ply tires, hands down, if you have a loader. i just repalced 4-ply multi ribs on the front of my loader tractor with 6-ply multi ribs and the difference is night and day..

soundguy

Howdy. My front tires need to be replaced. My only choice is basically 4-ply or 6-ply. The 25x8.5-14 Carlisle Mutli-Trac C/S is rated at 1320lbs@22psi for 4-ply and 1640lbs@32psi for 6-ply.

Currently I'm unhappy with how much the sidewalls flex when the loader bucket it empty, let alone filled with dirt. Though I'm unsure if this is because they are so old and worn out or because they are the 4-ply and under-rated for loader work. I'd like to get the "right" tire but I don't want to spend more than necessary (obviously).

The cost difference is $100/pair because I would buy 4-ply blems but I only see 6-ply in new condition. Comparing new to new would be a $42/pair difference.

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[arrabil]

Loader work in the woods is a primary use of my 4200. I've never had a pop or any trouble though. They just don't feel like they're supporting the weight and by bowing out they seem to dig into the ground more than I'd like a turf tire to do.

 

[AndyMA]

Howdy. My front tires need to be replaced. My only choice is basically 4-ply or 6-ply. The 25x8.5-14 Carlisle Mutli-Trac C/S is rated at 1320lbs@22psi for 4-ply and 1640lbs@32psi for 6-ply.

Currently I'm unhappy with how much the sidewalls flex when the loader bucket it empty, let alone filled with dirt. Though I'm unsure if this is because they are so old and worn out or because they are the 4-ply and under-rated for loader work. I'd like to get the "right" tire but I don't want to spend more than necessary (obviously).

The cost difference is $100/pair because I would buy 4-ply blems but I only see 6-ply in new condition. Comparing new to new would be a $42/pair difference.

Suggestions? Thanks!

If you read your post you answered your own question. Obviously get the 6 ply 1640 lb rated tires.

BTW, turfs aren't the best if you do a lot of loader work.

Andy

 

[arrabil]

I recognize I answered my own question as to what I'd like, my question was more about what is actually necessary. The 4-plys came on the tractor with the loader from the dealer so obviously load-wise there isn't a problem. So I'll rephrase the question:

Should I spend the extra money and get 6-ply? Will it likely solve my sidewall flex concerns?

As for turfs for loader work... I'm really happy with turfs for loader work. I haven't worked in deep mud, and won't, and with 4WD and a diff lock I've been able to go far more places than I was originally expecting.

 

[PAB_OH]

Should I spend the extra money and get 6-ply? Will it likely solve my sidewall flex concerns?

I don't think they will. Generally turfs have weaker sidewalls than equivalent ply-rated R4's or R1's. They also generally have a much higher aspect ratio (sidewall is "taller") which allows the tire to flex more. Turf tires are primarily meant for turf use and these are desired characteristics.

Turf's are not the best for loader work. Will they work? Of course, but you already know that. You're using them now. Will stepping up to a 6 ply rated turf tire with the same overall physical size significantly reduce the flexing you're noticing now? I seriously doubt it. It will buy you some prtotection against blowing the tire out under high load though.

I'd stick w/ the 4 ply if it were me or switch to R4's for maximum sidewall strength. If you aren't mowing with the tractor or if you are and don't care about minor soil disruption I'd go with R1's. They might be a little less expensive than the R4's, offer middle of the road sidewall strength and maximum traction. If you don't need the traction, R4's it is.

 

[arrabil]

R1s aren't an option. I have to stick to a 25x8.50-14 tire size and its only available in turf and R4.

However, I live on a hill. Even the turf tires dig into the ground and ruin the grass. I would _maybe_ call that mild. Certainly the R4s will destroy the ground underneath them.

The Carlisle Trac Chief is rated at 2130lbs@50psi, are 6-ply, and cost about the same as the 6-ply turfs. It seems to me the weight rating, and hence likely the sidewall flex, is directly related to the air pressure the tires are capable of running. So then shouldn't the 6-ply turfs be a good compromise for me?

 

[dqdave1]

Make sure you get the correct rolling circumference. I wanted 6 ply turfs for my TC 29 and could not find the correct rolling circumference in a 6 ply. Driveline damage will occur if front and rear tires are mismatched.

 

[arrabil]

An inch here or there doesn't make any difference. The front tires are already designed to "pull" the rear tires which is why you should only engage 4WD in slippery conditions. My problem is that I'm not changing rims so I'm stuck with the only size they make for them.