Ag Tires versus Industrial tires

rd_macgregor · Dec 23, 2016

Those punji stakes left after mowing are really scary! I haven't yet punctured a tire, but I've lost a valve stem and run the fronts off the rim a couple of times in brush. The last time this happened, I drove my lawn tractor with dump cart back into the woods to retrieve the wheel/tire and bring it back home for repair. It would have been a whole different issue if it had been a rear tire!

Cougsfan · Dec 31, 2016

I lowered my air pressure in my R4s to 12 psi front and rear. It helped a little, but they are still pathetic on the ice and snow.

Turbys_1700 · Dec 31, 2016

SPYDERLK said:
No problem at all. I know what you mean. Nothing but bad breaks.

The reason I asked is that I use AGs and have had only a few punctures - mostly from pointed stobs from 1.5 to 2" dia stumps left by beaver. You dont plug those! In only one case have I gotten punched by small wood. In that case, like yours it was a seasoned pungi from a prior cutting. All in all Im pretty impressed with the puncture resistance. It surprised me that an R4 carcass would be vulnerable to small wood.

... One thing Ive noticed is that new tires cut and punch more easily. I think the rubber is soft for quite awhile and a middle aged tire is probably at its very best for resisting penetration. Its tougher all the way through. Im betting those R4s are kinda young ? Theyll be stronger in a few years if they dont get perforated too much before then.

The R4's are new. This area I cut in May first attempt with my 4610 and after 2 front flats and repairs I came home and got the Workmaster with the R4's. Got along fine. I figured I would be OK this time also but it didn't work out as I planned. It does build character. Lol

RedNeckRacin · Jan 1, 2017

Cougsfan said:
I lowered my air pressure in my R4s to 12 psi front and rear. It helped a little, but they are still pathetic on the ice and snow.

I run 2 link v bars on my Kubota l3400 with r-4 and it's a big improvement with just the front axle chained up.

ruffdog · Jan 1, 2017

Also, r4's offer no resistance to sliding sideways on greasy ground while ag's or even turfs offer some grip.

4570Man · Jan 1, 2017

ruffdog said:
Also, r4's offer no resistance to sliding sideways on greasy ground while ag's or even turfs offer some grip.

What's the reasoning behind this statement?

ruffdog · Jan 1, 2017

4570Man said:
What's the reasoning behind this statement?

Big fat lugs with no tread. At least with a AG one tread is angled the opposing direction when sliding sideways. The tread blocks are not as wide and flat either.

4570Man · Jan 1, 2017

ruffdog said:
Big fat lugs with no tread. At least with a AG one tread is angled the opposing direction when sliding sideways. The tread blocks are not as wide and flat either.

And the turfs are better? I've got r4s on my tractor and I wouldn't consider anything else.

ruffdog · Jan 2, 2017

It's the same reason big lugged mud tires on a truck is horrible on ice or packed snow. Winter tires have lots of grooves and sipes. I ran identical tractors on two farms, one had turfs and one had r4's. I now only have the one with turfs.