4520 with BB42

[Honey Dealer]

I Know that a 4520 has the hp to work a Frontier BB42, but will it ultimately have enough traction to do justice?
Will R4's do the job or are R1's more ideal for moving and tilling dirt.?
I am considering the 84" high back model.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would think it depends on the soil in your locale. In 4x4 I don't have much problem with wheel slip and have about 1100 lbs of weights for ballast. If you have a fel and fluid filled tires you should be in good shape. In my area with rocky sandy loam I don't have traction problems nearly as much as when I lived in areas with lots of wet clay soil. I will usually do most dirt work when the ground is firm and dry rather than wet and muddy. I have the Frontier bb1284 which is similar to the bb42 series.

 

[Honey Dealer]

I would think it depends on the soil in your locale. In 4x4 I don't have much problem with wheel slip and have about 1100 lbs of weights for ballast. If you have a fel and fluid filled tires you should be in good shape. In my area with rocky sandy loam I don't have traction problems nearly as much as when I lived in areas with lots of wet clay soil. I will usually do most dirt work when the ground is firm and dry rather than wet and muddy. I have the Frontier bb1284 which is similar to the bb42 series.

You run loaded tires and four wheel weights?

 

[Cidertom]

For what it's worth if you have a FEL on a 4520 the book calls for filled tires and wheel weights and the ballast box.

I run a 7ft three way blade behind my 4520 with filled tires and sometimes the weights. No issues with the R4's. Unless it gets real sloppy then I add skidder chains to the rear tires.

CT

 

[jenkinsph]

You run loaded tires and four wheel weights?

Nothing in the tires but three 110lb weights each rear wheel and six 70lb front weights.

 

[Honey Dealer]

Nothing in the tires but three 110lb weights each rear wheel and six 70lb front weights.

Do you think R1's would make a noticeable difference for grading and tilling traction?

 

[jenkinsph]

Do you think R1's would make a noticeable difference for grading and tilling traction?

I would go with R1 tires if the conditions are likely to be wet or slightly muddy. The R1 tires are better for traction in snow too.

I haven't had any problems using R4 tires in my locale and prefer them as I have to work in and off of lawn areas. In the last seven years of use on my 110tlb and three years on the 4520 I can't recall a time when I had excessive wheel spin.

I have been using tractors for over 40 years and one of the most important things I learned is to do the grading and tilling when the conditions are most suitable. I don't move or use my tractors when it is too wet or sloppy, this just makes a bigger mess. If you pick the right time to do your grading and tilling either type tires will work well.