Tires Need R1s but can not find

[homerjsimpson137]

Have Kubota L3200 with 27x8.50-15 R4 front tires and 15x19.5-15 rear tires. I hate the stock R4 tires and their about bald anyway and want to go with R1s but having trouble finding R4s in theses sizes. Any thoughts where I can source these? Im in Virginia. I really hate to purchase new tires and not get R1s.

 

[chim]

The R1's aren't the same size as the R4's:

Standard tires (ag): Front: 5.00-15. Rear: 11.2-24 (2WD)
Front: 7.2-16. Rear: 11.2-24 (4WD)


Lawn/turf front: 23x8.50-12 (2WD)
25x8.50-14 (4WD)
Lawn/turf rear: 13.6-16


Industrial front: 27x8.50-15 (4WD)
Industrial rear: 15-19.5


TractorData.com Kubota L32 tractor dimensions information

 

[rScotty]

Are you planning on getting new wheels to go with the R1 Ags?
You might have to unless yours is 2WD.
rScotty

 

[kennyd]

You'll need new rims too, so it will get expensive.
Can you run chains all the time?
Have you ever thought about grooving the R4's for better traction?

 

[RickB]

I’m not aware of any R1 tire in 19.5” diameter.

 

[chim]

...................................Have you ever thought about grooving the R4's for better traction?

I've grooved two sets of R4's for snow and they work very well. Check Post # 652 in the thread below:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a-66.html

EDIT: If you need something for mud, even with the grooves the R4's aren't the best. R1's or chains would be the ticket.

 

[JWR]

I guess you ARE serious ! The last time I grooved tires was on my tricycle when I was 5 years old and needed better traction in the mud. Did it with a pen knife. Hard to do without cutting yourself.

Back to the OP: Swapping from R4 or turf to/from R1 AG tires is no small chore both dollar wise and work-wise. As posts #3 and #4 mention you will have to change wheels too, not just tires. I had a B2150 with big fat turf tires that were worthless in snow, using a snowblower, etc. Over the years i got frustrated with the issue and found a used B2150 mechanically identical to the one I had. (No where near as good a shape but originally mechanically identical.) The used one had AG R1 tires on it. Bought the used tractor, put the two side by side on the concrete and swapped all 8 wheels and tires. The R1 rears were loaded.

Very happy I did so. All 8 of the tires have some age on them but still work very well with zero problems.

You may want to look around for a used machine, do what you want to do tire wise and then resell the extra tractor. You will save a bundle of $ that way.

 

[homerjsimpson137]

Thanks all for the info. It looks like I am screwed unless I want to spend a small fortune. New R4s seems like the best solution unless I find a set of R1 rims and tires which probably is not going to happen.

 

[Bigkrank]

They have R14 in your sizes the way it looks:
Titan expands Goodyear R14T crossover tire line | AGDAILY

 

[mjw357]

Have you looked into the newer R1-R4 hybrid tires (R14’s)?

 

[homerjsimpson137]

Hum. I will look into the R14s. Thanks guys. Anything is better than the R4s

 

[moship]

Not certain what the OP budget is, but I recommend calling sales and inquire if the tires/wheels are still available as "wholegoods". Typically the price of buying the tire/wheel assembly through wholegoods is considerably cheaper than inquiring about the parts individually.

Theses would be ready to bolt on and the existing set could be sold to recover some of the cost.

Another option would be to consider other manufactures and styles of R4's. I've seen thread patterns that were very deep to shed mud or ones that created less contact pressure.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[David Wayne]

I just went from R1 to R4 on my L3400 a month ago, We could have traded. I still have the R1 on the wheels sitting on a pallet.
For sale, but not listed yet, getting ready for vacation. Wish I had room in the truck for them I would swing by we are going to
Virginia Beach.

 

[Alan W.]

I cant help but notice the similarity of the new Titan R14s and the Tiber MPT that has been around for a while.