R1, R3, R4, R14 - Tires - If you had to pick 1? 2?

[FlyFishn]

We're looking at getting a ~25hp CUT (B2601 and LX2620 are the top of the list).

Tasks will be general property maintenance - mowing, brush hogging, snow removal, material loading, logging, rear blade work.

However, we are probably going to down sizd our tillage to run with the smaller machine - 3 point passive implements like a plow, disk, cultivator and not live rotary like a PTO driven roto tiller. We may eventually do a roto tiller, either ours or borrowed, but by using the term "tillage" I mean tools pulled through the ground to do the work and not the PTO.

Friends of ours have R4 industrial tires on a variety of compact tractor sizes from a BX up to about 40hp and when I posed a similar question specific to mowing they all feel very comfortable with R4's over R3/turf tires.

What concerns me is the snow work and tillage. Snow I can add chains if needed. Tillage - Im not so sure on that one.

Thoughts?

 

[oldnslo]

For dirt work nothing will beat R1 for traction to put power to the ground under most working conditions. The lugs will bite in and clean better when ground is at less than ideal working conditions.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Ditto. I have R4's and they do pretty good but slip when I'm moving dirt around. R1's would allow you to take a better/bigger bite on say a plow or disc all other things being equal.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I have only used R4's, and I love them. If I leave chains on from winter into mud season, it helps with traction. Without chains isn't so bad either. What I like is the weight they can support, as I lift lots of heavy material. I had dealer swap out turf tires for R4 when I bought new.

 

[CH4Ohio]

On a B size Kubota or any ~25 HP tractor I would get R14s or R4s, in that order.

 

[groundcover]

R14 all the way

 

[tacticalturnip]

I think it obvious that in a field setting your best bet is going to be a set of R1's. However, it seems like your machine will be taking on multiple roles.

I suggest you look into Goodyear R14T's. I've found them to be excellent in both mud and snow, less likely to turn into a slick when operating in those conditions. I can tell you that I absolutely love them.

 

[FlyFishn]

If I had to do it - how would those of you that have R14's or R4's feel about pulling tillage with them? 4wd will help Im sure. Ballast is another subject.

On the reverse of that, if we added ballast for the tillage we likely would want to remove that for mowing (the deck in and of itself will add some weight, not that we would really need/want it but it comes with the task).

The loader on the front is another subject. Im not sure we would want to remove it much, but from a ballast perspective - that would add some weight to the steer tires, speakng of tillage. Im just not sure Im looking forward to the bucking.

The rear end is another subject. Ive had suggestions of loading the tires. The problem with that is I cant remove it to mow.

Theres a point for the R1's - I could load them. But then they are almost a 1 task tire and I need the machine to run all year for everything.

My gut tells me to split the tasks and go R1's for the field work, then one of the other options (R14's. R4's, or R3's - maybe in that order of priority). But we're trying to keep the cost down. So if we had to pick one... are we going to be able to run tillage adequately, maybe with some creativity?

 

[CH4Ohio]

No offense intended . . . I really don't understand the conversation about "tillage" when talking about a 25 HP tractor. It's a perfect size for an appropriately matched tiller, but makes no sense for pulling a turning plow or serious ground-engaging equipment. Just doesn't have the HP or weight or size to do what I'd consider "tillage".

A tractor this size can best be used to work the soil by use of a rototiller. And it really shines in this role when ground conditions are right.

R14 or R4 tires (in that order) would maximize the capability and versatility of this tractor.

 

[Bearsixty7]

R1 all the way!
R4 tires are only intended for constant loader work on concrete or other hard surfaces to last. I have used tractors with R4 tires and they can get stuck on wet grass or the mildest of muddy terrain.

R1 tires can support all the load your loader will handle and still offer maximum traction. R1's are not a single use tire! That's what tractors only had for decades and did all the tasks well, many still do today, including mine.
R14 is the only other option I would even consider.

 

[General Lee]

In your situations, I would go R14. R4's downfall is their traction, it isn't great in subpar conditions.

My number 1 choice is R-1. But since you want to mow your lawn, they aren't ideal. They are aggressive.

 

[rScotty]

I have only used R4's, and I love them. If I leave chains on from winter into mud season, it helps with traction. Without chains isn't so bad either. What I like is the weight they can support, as I lift lots of heavy material. I had dealer swap out turf tires for R4 when I bought new.

No tire will do it all. It all depends on your soil and weather. We have sandy rocky soil and get some snow, but mostly winter ice. So at our place I like to run R4 industrials because they are ride better, are moe stable, and gentler on the ground and grass that we do have...., and it's easy enough to put on chains for more traction as needed.

In the ice or deep snow chains are necessary no matter which type tire you have.

The trick is making up a good set of chains that fit well. Nobody wants to be wrestling chains with rubber tensioners in the snow. Fit them right and get good quality locking latches - then they won't need the cross tensioners. Done right, a fitted set of cross link chains pulls as good or better than R1s, and the ride is about the same. I sometimes leave chains on year round in rocky/sandy soil.

rScotty

 

[diesel85]

I got a lighter machine, a BX2200, and I'm running R1 tires. While it is a little hard on the grass in the wet spring time months, I'd rather that than losing power to the ground especially on inclines. During the spring time when it is wet, I can alleviate a lot of turf damage by running in 4wd and taking easy turns instead of near hairpin turns.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I've had everything but the R14, personally I think the R14 is the best "all purpose" tread design. What I'm currently running on my 4410 is R4's but I have 12" wide fronts so it "floats" better over the soft Oregon mud. The wide fronts have been my favorite combo yet for my application.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

A

I got a lighter machine, a BX2200, and I'm running R1 tires. While it is a little hard on the grass in the wet spring time months, I'd rather that than losing power to the ground especially on inclines. During the spring time when it is wet, I can alleviate a lot of turf damage by running in 4wd and taking easy turns instead of near hairpin turns.

re you talking about losing power due to slipping?

 

[Torvy]

I have R4s. I'd probably switch to R14 if I had to do it over again. Most of what I do is loader work.

Tillage? R1. However, you are getting real tillage done with that light tractor. If you're dealing with snow, maybe listen to the guys who get some and use that size of tractor on it

 

[FlyFishn]

No offense intended . . . I really don't understand the conversation about "tillage" when talking about a 25 HP tractor. .

You would be on track with your line of thought. We have a heavier tractor and tillage implements, but the tractor is out of commission for now. So if we get to the point that tractor isnt fixable we need to get by with the compact then we will have to downsize the implements. A 25hp tractor, a light modern CUT, isnt going to pull much - but it is better than nothing if we have to.

There are sleeve hitch implements for garden tractors, so for a 25hp CUT they can surely pull more.

 

[groundcover]

Got this with R14's , great for mowing, much better traction than the R4'S on the previous tractor. They do great in snow as well.

 

[ptsg]

No offense intended . . . I really don't understand the conversation about "tillage" when talking about a 25 HP tractor. It's a perfect size for an appropriately matched tiller, but makes no sense for pulling a turning plow or serious ground-engaging equipment. Just doesn't have the HP or weight or size to do what I'd consider "tillage".

A tractor this size can best be used to work the soil by use of a rototiller. And it really shines in this role when ground conditions are right.

R14 or R4 tires (in that order) would maximize the capability and versatility of this tractor.

A lot of people in this side of the pond would strongly disagree with that post as they do use smaller 25hp tractors to pull ground engagement implements, like plows, chisel plows, subsoilers and more. As long as the implements are properly matched to the tractor, it will do the job.

They often plow the land first and run the tiller after, specially in hard clay ground.

A smaller tractor is also great to work under orchards due to the typically smaller size, using chisel plows, interrow plows and more.

 

[ptsg]

R1 Radials would be my pick for sure. Wide tire, providing more traction, more flotation, also a much better ride since those can run on lower pressures.

Should also provide less damage to the lawn, albeit almost trashing entirely a tractor pulling capability based on damaging the grass will never make sense to me.

Side by side comparison on bias R1 versus radials: