R-4's: new vs old style

[4310]

Just curious if anyone has noticed any difference in the 2 styles of R-4 tires. Better traction? Are the new ones as tough as the old ones? Why the switch?

Is JD the only ones using these? I haven't really looked to see what the other tractors are using.

 

[ruffdog]

I would think the new ones would slide sideways on wet slopes worse than the old ones.

 

[Steve IA]

Same manufacturer? Each company has their own tread design. They don't just draw a pretty picture and say let's go with that. There's lots of engineering and testing involved. Not to mention cost!
Steve
South IA

 

[Wolfy]

I would guess those small ridges in between the main lugs would help with sideways slipping.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't think it has anything to do with sideways slippage. It looks like they are designed to shed mud more easily than the old style which is a good thing. The old style would just slick over in just a little bit of mud. Only a test drive would verify that though.

 

[Zebrafive]

Might be from the low bid supplier

 

[RedHawkRidge]

It looked to me like the R4's with the curved treads are on 3000 or 3 series utetractors. I think the 4x20's and 4 series still have the angular tread, and possibly some of the small CUT's. I have a 4520 with R4's and they are the least liked feature on my unit. I'd probably get R1's if I was to buy another, and take my chances with chewing up the turf.

 

[toolbox5]

The old style tires are 6ply rated the new are 4 ply rated and a little larger .

 

[mfreund]

I would think the new ones would slide sideways on wet slopes worse than the old ones.

Not really sure that is possible!

 

[4310]

The old style tires are 6ply rated the new are 4 ply rated and a little larger .

I was wondering if they were the same ply or not. Does 4 ply mean they have a little more give to them? That would be good for mowing but not sure about the front tires when you've got something in the FEL or if they would be as tough in the woods.
Have you had both types?

I sent JD corporate an email asking about them. I'm still waiting on a response. If I hear something I'll put it on here.

I wonder if the new ones are supposed to be a hybrid between an R-1 and an R-4? My 850 had R-1's and I think they were 4 ply. They had some bounce when I mowed with it.

 

[RalphVa]

My 1025 has the old style. Slide sideways A LOT worse than the turfs did on the 4010. The R4s (on front) appear to be a lot tougher though. No issues yet at a little over 1 year. Never had any problems with the rear turfs on the 4010.

From the design of the new R4s, I'd say they'd slide sideways more readily than the old style. I get really uncomfortable when I get in a tight spot on a slope going sideways with the 1025, afraid it'll slide sideways.

Ralph

 

[DeereMann]

Wow, they sure look closer to R1's than R4's to me. Like Gary said, they look to be more aggressive in loose material.

 

[Beltzington]

Just curious if anyone has noticed any difference in the 2 styles of R-4 tires. Better traction? Are the new ones as tough as the old ones? Why the switch?

Is JD the only ones using these? I haven't really looked to see what the other tractors are using.


View attachment 397894



View attachment 397895

I guess new vs. old is relative as my 2006 3720 Cut has the "new" design and I am sure JD CUTs have been using the same manufacturer since at least 2000. How old is the bottom picture and are they OEM tires?
Can't comment on traction as I have nothing to compare mine with. Never have slipped sideways but I have never operated on wet turf.

 

[toolbox5]

I think they are like a mix between a r1 and r4 , more flex than a r4 6ply and better clean out like a r1 . a little too tight to run chains ,that's why I went with the older style , I don't mind running chained up in the winter .

 

[4310]

I guess new vs. old is relative as my 2006 3720 Cut has the "new" design and I am sure JD CUTs have been using the same manufacturer since at least 2000. How old is the bottom picture and are they OEM tires? Can't comment on traction as I have nothing to compare mine with. Never have slipped sideways but I have never operated on wet turf.

If I remember right the "new" tire pic is off a 2014 3033R and the "old" tire pic is off a 2003 4310. I found the pics on tractorhouse.

My 2004 4310 has the old style tread. I didn't think that they started putting out the new tires until around 2012 or so. I have only been looking at 3320's mostly though. Interesting that your bigger, older tractor has the new style.

Also interesting is a pic I found of a a slightly different R-4 on a 2011 3320. The tread is the same as the old style but it has the little runners (I have no idea what they're called) in between the tread.

 

[toolbox5]

That's what I have on my 08 3120 , the other style r4 (new style) was available when I bought in 09

 

[mfreund]

I guess new vs. old is relative as my 2006 3720 Cut has the "new" design and I am sure JD CUTs have been using the same manufacturer since at least 2000. How old is the bottom picture and are they OEM tires?
Can't comment on traction as I have nothing to compare mine with. Never have slipped sideways but I have never operated on wet turf.

My 4310 is a 2004 and has the old style R-4's

 

[Beltzington]

If I remember right the "new" tire pic is off a 2014 3033R and the "old" tire pic is off a 2003 4310. I found the pics on tractorhouse.

My 2004 4310 has the old style tread. I didn't think that they started putting out the new tires until around 2012 or so. I have only been looking at 3320's mostly though. Interesting that your bigger, older tractor has the new style.

Also interesting is a pic I found of a a slightly different R-4 on a 2011 3320. The tread is the same as the old style but it has the little runners (I have no idea what they're called) in between the tread. View attachment 398463

Sometimes when I read my comments I realize I had nothing to add to the conversation. Truth is I bought my 3720 with 600 hours on it and it is entirely possible the tires had been changed. I can say they have worked great for rotary cutting and FEL work on a variety of dirt conditions for the last 250 hours but my gut feeling if I wanted to run a plow I would need R1 tires. Again, nothing to add, but have a great weekend!

 

[FTG-05]

Looks like I've got the old style on my Kubota L4330:

 

[4310]

I've never seen the new kind on anything but JD. Although my search has been limited to a few minutes on tractorhouse.