Tire Options

[northcaroliney]

I've tried doing a search but am coming up light - considering industrial R4 tires vs. the "new" radial turf tires. Tractor is going to be asked to disc 5-6 acres of newly cleared land (most debris resolved, but still some rough, stumpy, twiggy ground in areas) twice a year or so for the next few years. Other tasks will be typical "hobby farm" items (moving manure, fencing, bush hogging, mowing pastures, light grading, occasionally harley raking, etc.) thereafter. Ground is pretty flat throughout. Rock hard in the summer, but most areas get soggy in the winter and spring with a few areas that get straight up muck-y (maybe not workable in the winter regardless of tires, to be honest).

 

[Wagtail]

Well, what about the 'new' R14T tyre?

 

[oosik]

I think either the R14T that Wagtail recommends or the old standard - R1 tires. I'm not familiar with the "new" radial turf tire you speak of.

Truth be told - you probably would not notice much difference in performance if you chose any one of the four - R1, R14T, R4 or radial turf tires. The R1 & R14T will have an advantage when you are disking. They will provide more traction and are less likely to "mud up" and become slicks.

I've only ever had R1's on my tractors. You just learn to stay off your lawns. Or you don't object to the chevron patterns across your lawns.

The only real folks who are concerned about tire types - the large farmers and their 450-500 hp tractors. They have digital readouts on their dash board that show % of tire slippage. This relates directly to gallons of fuel per hour or acre.

I don't care what type tire you have on a tractor - you go into an area that is soggy & bottomless - your tire choice will not save you. Likewise - trying to plow the snow off your driveway with glare ice underneath - you probably better consider chains. Regardless of tire type.

 

[kthompson]

My best traction has been radial R 1. In dirt Loader tires are fair. Now last week used a 10 foot pull box blade with Kubota L6060 with loader tires and four wheel drive on mowed grass and it pulled very good. Have bogged down the most with R 1 but mainly due to tractor with loader tires did not go into a wet field.

 

[rademamj1]

I only have experience with R4 Industrial tires, and they provide great service for most any type tractor work, and most ground conditions except mud. Only problem for me with R4 tires, they tear up the grass and leave ruts, so I am constantly making small repairs now.

Been researching the Radial R3 turf tires, and they apparently provide reasonable sidewall strength for loader work. In the field plowing and tilling, these turf tires are just as good as R4 at doing these specific tasks. R3 Turf out performs R4 for mowing and most other tasks on grass, and with no ruts. In snow, the R3 turfs also surprisingly outperformed R4 industrial in a Messick's video.

 

[Rebeldad1]

having R4 tires... I really like them
I have no really nice lawn so its not a issue to drive over it.
Never really noticed ant ruts but we dont have soft ground.
All in all I probably wouldnt use turf tires for all seasons of use on a farm.

 

[jimjo2]

I have a 2520 that came with R-4’s and finally I bit the bullet and bought a set of turf tires and wheels. I have the R-4’s filled with beet juice and I just change the the tires as needed. They are very heavy so I never lay them down. It’s not a bad task especially if you have an impact driver and a hydraulic jack.