Snow Equipment Owning/Operating R4s vs R14s Tested

[Midwesterner]

For me it would depend on what carcass the tire is built on. If it's a modified R-4 I would steer away as I don't like their rough ride. But if it was built on an R-3 or R-1 carcass I would be very interested.

And if they are a radial then what I just said doesn't matter.

They are indeed a radial.

 

[dnw64]

If your tractor needs new tires and you move snow, absolutely go for an R14 type tire or even better get Nokian snowtires for tractors. (Same as Canadian snow contractors use). However if you're like me and have a new tractor with R4's, the best economical way is to buy an $82 USD grooving knife from Ideal ...

...or PM me. I lend mine out to any TBNer at N/C other than the shipping costs (both ways).

 

[dnw64]

I just got these Monday, I don't know if they have a "r xx" designation but they are similar to the Nokian. I opted out of the actual Nokian as from what little information is out there, the Nokia seems to have a softer rubber and a narrow target of snow use. I've had a pair of this style on the front for over a year and I'm very happy with them for our soils (gravelly) and winter plowing along with the road ride and expected increased tread life.
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Nice write up Midwesterner

You may need to upgrade your p/u if you decide to put them on the rear... :laughing:

 

[civilian]

You may need to upgrade your p/u if you decide to put them on the rear... :laughing:

If Rustyiron is going to put those tires on his p/u, he better go get two more to level the truck off. LOL Jon

 

[dnw64]

If Rustyiron is going to put those tires on his p/u, he better go get two more to level the truck off. LOL Jon

I may have been misunderstood. I thought that those were front tires for his tractor. Not knowing or being familiar with his tractor, and using the assumption that the rear tires would be bigger, I assumed that two rears wouldn't fit in that toy. In fact, even one at a time might not, depending on the F/R ratio. Further to the point, that toy may not have the weight capacity to carry one large tire.

 

[Rustyiron]

They are for the rear. 18.4R30, right about 5' tall. :thumbsup:
these are the fronts fresh off the shippers truck back in March 2019

 

[ecbaatz]

Groove or Sipe and do you have a picture of how you grooved them?

Thanks

 

[dnw64]

I grooved mine. Not sure if I said in this thread - I never ran them ungrooved, so I have nothing to compare it to.

Like this:

 

[dnw64]

This is what it looks like on the ground:

 

[Rustyiron]

That picture is a good "testimonial" for the benefit of grooving. :thumbsup: