Tires Better tires from China?

Brad_Blazer · Oct 20, 2004

I noticed that all of the tractors seem to have the same style of ag tires. It looks like better styles are available over there:
http://www.globalsources.com/si/6008801333512/ProductDetail/Agricultural-machine/product_id-1000304946/action-GetProduct.htm

Are the manufacturers resposive to upgrade requests?

Brad

ToolManRick · Oct 21, 2004

I will probably upgrade to an "R" tire once I wear down the originals, but I think the hard part may be finding the correct rims. Anybody know of a source of rims?

F100Panel · Oct 21, 2004

I thought the supplied bar tread tires had to much bite for front end loader work & found I was riding the clutch a lot. Switched to turf tires that spin easier making it easier on the front differential without riding the clutch. Found trying to load with the tractor in 2 wheel drive with the Ags wasn't working too well either. As bucket lifted, rear tractive power was lost. The turfs are a nice compromise & unless working in a real quagmire, the difference in traction from the Ag's to the turfs has not been a factor to me.. For some one regularkly working in mud they'd likely want to stay with the Ag's.. I've seen posts on this site from people with the R4's who weren't too happy with them in mud either.. Just my $.02 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifworth...

JohnS · Oct 21, 2004

Not only are finding the right rims an issue, but if you want to use 4wd, finding front wheel/tires that match the current drive ratios, is a problem. I remember a few dealers saying they found rims/r4s that worked, but then the price was more than most would pay. But the rims/tires were sourced in USA.

JohnS · Oct 21, 2004

I can't say I do any planned work in the mud, but do have to cross it to get where I need to go. Clay soil and a little rain, can make things slippery, very quickly, then just add some hills for a little measure! At one time R4s looked to be a great idea, but since I have found some of those mud holes, and read some of those posts, I'll stay with the ags. If I had turfs, I would have had to visit my neighbor farmer, to come pull me out with USA IH. All that China tractor, not worth a darn talk to hear for the next year! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I don't believe that just anyone with ags can switch to turfs. It is a possible gear ratio issue. I believe that the Jinma 200 series that use the drum style brake vs disk, the ratios are close enough to switch. But need to check with dealer.

I thought I saw a post somewhere about the turf sidewalls flexing with heavy fel loads. Have you seen that? Maybe just an under inflation issue.

So far I have been happy with how the chinese rubber tires have held up. Given some of their rubber issues on hoses, I was concerned for awhile.

F100Panel · Oct 21, 2004

It was I who referenced the turf tire sidewalls flexed with a full bucket..they did with the Ag tires too..... I now run the turf tires a little overinflated @32psi.... With a hoe on the back for extra counterweight I get along good.... Mostly my fault for maxing out the bucket with every trip rather than take a little less each trip.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

SevenCorners · Oct 21, 2004

F100 how much did you have in the bucket? I have had my bucket all the way full with large stones and my ag tires never flexed turning going downhill....

ToolManRick · Oct 22, 2004

Been drizzling here for two days now so work outside is pretty yucky. In my boredom I jacked up one side of the tractor, engaged the 4W lever and did a free spin test to get a pretty good idea of what my rear to front ratio is. After rotating the rear tire 10 times the front tire ended up going around 15 3/4 times or a ratio of 1:1.575. Checking the rolling radius of the tires I came up with 1:1.56 or pretty darn close. Just raising or lowering the BB or FEL would change that some. So, whatever I do in the future if I do change my tires to R4's I'll have to keep that rolling radius in mind. If any of you dealers have info on R4 rims/tires I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

JohnS · Oct 22, 2004

Rick,

Thanks for doing the measuring. I just noticed you have a 204. The older 204s did have interchangeable turf - ags, but the 254/284s were not. Could you post your front and rear tire sizes? From the numbers you posted, they seem to be right on. I have been told that you want the front wheels to slightly lead the rear, so that the gears won't lock.

I have long wondered why the factory does not have a r4 wheel/tire option. This would be the most cost effective solution. While I am convinced that I need ags, r4s would be very good for many people, especially ones that do yard and field work. I have heard rumors a couple of times, but yet to see any pics on a Jinma.

CSH · Oct 22, 2004

I just took delivery of Farmpro 2425 five weeks ago. When I was mulling over the purchase in August, my dealer indicated that Homier would soon offer the R4 option. He didn't think it would be significantly more. When he called me last month with the price for an R4 equipped machine, I didn't think twice about getting ags. I have a "yard" and not a "lawn", so I can live with the potential turf damage that ags can inflict easier than forking out an extra $1800 for R4s. My dealer doesn't think he will be selling too many tractors with this option.