R4 Tire?

[Conservation]

I am unfamiliar with the ratings of the ag tires. I replaced the front turfs with R4's, and may do the same with the rear after I look at the tire the store is talking about. What is the difference between R1, 2, 3, 4?

 

[driver444]

An R-1 is a bar-type agriculture tire found usually on bigger farm tractors. (they can be put on any tractor) They offer the most traction in mud but wear quickly on paved surfaces, and really tear up grass and delicate ground.

An R-4 is similar to an R-1 in that it has a bar-tye tread, but it's usually a wider tire, and the treads aren't as deep. They distribute the weight over a larger area. Alot of full-size loader backhoes uses these. They probably are the best all-around tire for compact tractors, and most people use these. They do very well on paved surfaces and fairly OK on grass if you're careful. They also last pretty long.

I think the turf-tires are R-3's, (not sure). They're good on grass, and pavement, and not too awful bad for loader work in dirt, but don't offer alot of traction for ground engaging work. They do pretty well in snow removal when used with chains.

A word of caution. Be careful when changing only 2 tires on a 4wd tractor, especially when using different types. There is a specific ratio with regard to the circumference of the rear and front tires. If you change the size of either front or rear tires, the opposite tires much be changed proportionately, or you could damage your drive train.

 

[Conservation]

Great info. Thank you. The stated size from the old turf was the same as the new R4, and the tire place measured and confirmed. My current rear is actually non-stock, and may not be exactly what I need. I am only using 4wd in the snow now, but I am looking to switch to the stock size R4's for the rear also, and all should be good with the world. I will use my turfs only for mowing in 2wd.
Sounds like the R4, while not the most aggressive, is a pretty good choice even for snow and dirt digging. I will probably end up filling them with WW fluid eventually, which should be plenty of weight, and may even do chains. I have chains for my turfs, but they are much wider. I may be able to shorten all the links, which would be a pain, but would sure save some money too.

 

[amigauser]

Here is a good link.
The Small Tractor FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

 

[teach]

Go with ags instead of R4's. I just found out today that R4's are absolutely useless in mud. I just put mine on this winter and I wonder if I made the right decision. They are nice on stumps/rocks, but forget it in the mud once they clog, they don't easily unclog, until you are run on hard, dry ground again.
Teach

 

[LBrown59]

It's been stated time and time again on TBN R4 and mud = racing slicks!

Go with ags instead of R4's. I just found out today that R4's are absolutely useless in mud. I just put mine on this winter and I wonder if I made the right decision. They are nice on stumps/rocks, but forget it in the mud once they clog, they don't easily unclog, until you are run on hard, dry ground again.
Teach

 

[wolc123]

It sounds like it is too late for R1's since he already bought and mounted R4's on the front. If you are going to have two sets of tires it makes a lot more sense to have turfs and R1's than turfs and R4's. R4's are a compromise tire and not the best tire for any job commonly done by CUT's. They are not much better than turfs in mud or snow and not a ton better than R1's on the lawn. If you had R1's and turfs you would have the ability to use the optimum tire for almost any job you take on.

 

[WilliamBos]

It sounds like it is too late for R1's since he already bought and mounted R4's on the front. If you are going to have two sets of tires it makes a lot more sense to have turfs and R1's than turfs and R4's. R4's are a compromise tire and not the best tire for any job commonly done by CUT's. They are not much better than turfs in mud or snow and not a ton better than R1's on the lawn. If you had R1's and turfs you would have the ability to use the optimum tire for almost any job you take on.

I agree, except we found that Turfs are waaaaaaay better in mud & snow than R4's, especially our heavy clay soil. R1 & Turf gets you the best of both worlds, and the turfs also clean off better than the R4, so do the R1.

 

[justcountry]

application is the key here guys. I just replaced my ags with a set of r4's on my 3130 4wd. and it was like my tractor gained 6 HP! I live in North Fl and it is all sand. They made my tractor like a BULLDOZER. It allows the tires to slip on top a lot bit but have a LOT more ground surface than the skinny ags. They work really well when doing loader work. The Ags hooked up great, but they also dug down to China in a few seconds and end up stalling. unless you can get the clutch in quick enough. It all depends on what soil surfaces you frequent.

 

[Sniggle]

Go with ags instead of R4's. I just found out today that R4's are absolutely useless in mud. I just put mine on this winter and I wonder if I made the right decision. They are nice on stumps/rocks, but forget it in the mud once they clog, they don't easily unclog, until you are run on hard, dry ground again.
Teach

I disagree. I found myself deep in mud on numerous occasions this past summer as I transformed my muddy, rutted newly cleared land into pasture. The R-4s never let me down. With some common sense, a little strategy, and some situational awareness the R4s will work well for you.

If you plan to just aim for the biggest mudhole you can find and try to drive through it, no tire will keep you from getting stuck.

 

[WilliamBos]

I disagree. I found myself deep in mud on numerous occasions this past summer as I transformed my muddy, rutted newly cleared land into pasture. The R-4s never let me down. With some common sense, a little strategy, and some situational awareness the R4s will work well for you.

If you plan to just aim for the biggest mudhole you can find and try to drive through it, no tire will keep you from getting stuck.

What type of soil?? Our heavy clay the R4 tires load up like a slick and WILL NOT clean off. For us and our soil, they are worthless wet. R1/Turfs are the better choices. We use Turfs.

 

[JoelD]

I find R4's perfect for my super rocky soil, I tore up my AG's with the rocks and roots.

The R4's are not much use in heavy snow though, but for me, the R4's are the best compromise as they don't tear up my lawn and they don't get torn up by the rocks.

Joel

 

[LBrown59]

It sounds like it is too late for R1's since he already bought and mounted R4's on the front. If you are going to have two sets of tires it makes a lot more sense to have turfs and R1's than turfs and R4's. R4's are a compromise tire and not the best tire for any job commonly done by CUT's. They are not much better than turfs in mud or snow and not a ton better than R1's on the lawn. If you had R1's and turfs you would have the ability to use the optimum tire for almost any job you take on.

R4s offer the worst of both worlds of R1s and R3s.

I agree, except we found that Turfs are waaaaaaay better in mud & snow than R4's, especially our heavy clay soil. R1 & Turf gets you the best of both worlds, and the turfs also clean off better than the R4, so do the R1.

Turfs will spin out quicker and easier on wet soft spots than R1s and do more damage driving across such places than R1s will.

 

[teach]

Sniggle,
"With some common sense, a little strategy, and some situational awareness the R4s will work well for you.

If you plan to just aim for the biggest mudhole you can find and try to drive through it, no tire will keep you from getting stuck."

I'm glad the R4's work for you, but as someone else stated, soil conditions are key. In the area where I am working, there are about 2-3" of mud on top of some frosted ground in an open field. Not exactly a mudhole. This is an area that is unavoidable where I am logging. I am using a B7500, a relatively light machine, and my R4's nearly instantly clogged up and would not unclog until I ran the tractor on some dry hardpack gravel at full speed in high gear, and even then I had to pluck a bunch out of the valleys between the treads by hand.

As someone else stated, the R4's work fine where it is dry and/or rocky and are great where punctures are a good possiblilty in the woods. I found them to be "ok" in the snow, and I have done a fair share of plowing this winter (300' on a steep grade). Finally, I find them to very harsh on the lawn when it is wet or when I turn the front tires, except when it is frozen.
Teach

 

[Rebel]

Yep, R4's are completely useless in snow (NOT!).

 

[djradz]

Yep, R4's are completely useless in snow (NOT!).

Just a few observations. The R4s you are using are more agressive than some. See the Titans on the attached photo. Also, you apparently are plowing with the FEL, which means you're removing the snow before having to drive through it for the most part. Many of us use a rear blade for snow and are working in 8"-12" snow, and in some cases even deeper and on hillier ground. Also, your tractor looks pretty well loaded and I'm guessing the box blade is there for weight too.

When the lifelong, doing it for their livelyhood, farmers start putting R4s on their rigs in the fields, I may be swayed to say they are the better tire. Otherwise, R4s are simply a great compromise tire.

As for a solution in this case, although steering won't be as good as with R1s on the front, he may want to leave the already purchased R4s up front and go with Ag's in the rear. Yes, there can be some debate on additional stress on the driveline, but folks with a FEL have been doing this for years.

Maybe it's time for the administrator to create a "Tires" forum, so we can debate such issues ad nauseum and not tie up the other threads.

 

[pitt_md]

Like every other topic in here common sense is the key. If its real muddy don't go there. Very few of us part time tractor users have to do whatever we wanted to use the tractor for right away.

 

[SouthernX]

Just a few observations. The R4s you are using are more agressive than some. See the Titans on the attached photo. [ snip... ]

So are you saying that those Titans are or are not aggressive for an R4? I've included your original picture in my post.

 

[JoelD]

In my rocky soil I really like my r4's, they do not cut like the AG's, but true, when muddy, they load up and are slicks, fortunately or unfortunately I don't have enough soil to get much mud, only rocks.

The r4's are tough as nails and don't cut or rip like the AG's.

Joel

 

[john_bud]

Yep, R4's are completely useless in snow (NOT!).

I strongly disagree. Last snow, I used the back blade. Went down the driveway and cleared off a 7' wide swath. COULDN'T GET BACK UP THE DRIVE.

I had to spend 3 hours with a shovel to get down to black top to gain traction to get the machine back up the hill and to the shed. Frigg'n worthless. My wife's car drove around the tractor and up the hill.

jb