Tire Tread and Gear Ratios

[oakhilltop]

I didn't mean to imply that I would base my decision on tires, but I do consider the R14s a plus. There are pluses and minuses for every model of tractor. And those have to be weighed in the final decision.

The quote that I have for the 1E.25 shows R15 x 19.5 6. It doesn't specify, but I'm guessing R4. The "6" is the number of plys? Would I be able to swap these R14 which are also R15 x 19.5? Maybe the circumference is different which could cause problems? I'm used to car tires, where you tell the dealer the size that you have and can buy all season or snow treads etc.

 

[dicktill]

I didn't mean to imply that I would base my decision on tires, but I do consider the R14s a plus. There are pluses and minuses for every model of tractor. And those have to be weighed in the final decision.

The quote that I have for the 1E.25 shows R15 x 19.5 6. It doesn't specify, but I'm guessing R4. The "6" is the number of plys? Would I be able to swap these R14 which are also R15 x 19.5? Maybe the circumference is different which could cause problems? I'm used to car tires, where you tell the dealer the size that you have and can buy all season or snow treads etc.

Interesting. The earlier 1723 & 1725 (and probably all earlier GC's) have 18x8.50-10 & 26x12.0-12 tires. What's on the rear of the new ones?

BTW, all this ratio stuff is only really important if using 4-wheel drive, although I suppose it could have a minor effect if using a mid-mount mower.

 

[oakhilltop]

This is cut an pasted from the quote.

• MF1E.25H Hydro Tractor
• MF1E.25 - HST Platform
• F27x8.50-15 6PR / R15x19.5 6
• FL2407 SS Loader - 60" Bucket

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks for the inputs.

I am only planning on loading the rear ... if any.

These MF models are hard to find right now. But if I decide that one of them is a match for what I want, then I think looking at the Kubota's offerings and possibly copying the tire sizes is a good idea.

I am also considering the turf tires with chains for the winter. I don't work in mud or loose dirt, so I don't need the AG tires. In my search for a tractor, I've noticed that some turf tires are similar to automotive tires, while some others have much deeper treads, almost like knobs. I would want the more aggressive turf tire and haven't seen the MF turf tires yet. There might be a 1E.25 at a dealer about an hour away and I hope to take a look at it if it is still there.

I was under the impression that I would be able to find R14s that match the sizes of the tires that come with the tractor, but (obviously) haven't looked at it much. One other possibility for the upgrade is the Kioti CX2510 which is available with R14s. I've been looking more at that, which is why I haven't delved into the tire issue too much yet. I want to check out the MF models, because I have some concerns about Kioti's support. My brother in law has had a CK2610 for 5 years with no issues, so I go back and forth on the support/reliability aspects. Either way, I'd at least like to take a good look at the MF models.

You may want to take a look at Carlisle Versa Turfs, mix or match to get desired front lead. Im having trouble seeing rolling circumference specs on a wide selection of tires. You almost are stuck at buy em and try em.

 

[dicktill]

This is cut an pasted from the quote.

• MF1E.25H Hydro Tractor
• MF1E.25 - HST Platform
• F27x8.50-15 6PR / R15x19.5 6
• FL2407 SS Loader - 60" Bucket

OK, forget most of what I said: it looks like this is a bigger machine than the GC's which only have a 48" bucket.

 

[LouNY]

I didn't mean to imply that I would base my decision on tires, but I do consider the R14s a plus. There are pluses and minuses for every model of tractor. And those have to be weighed in the final decision.

The quote that I have for the 1E.25 shows R15 x 19.5 6. It doesn't specify, but I'm guessing R4. The "6" is the number of plys? Would I be able to swap these R14 which are also R15 x 19.5? Maybe the circumference is different which could cause problems? I'm used to car tires, where you tell the dealer the size that you have and can buy all season or snow treads etc.

Interesting MF seems to enjoy making it hard to find out the tire size being used on the small tractors.
That said an R15x19.5 is available as an R14;

If you are able to find R14's in the same sizes as the tires on the tractor your lead/lag ratio should be good.
When I look at MF 1E.25's on tractor house they seem split between R14's and R4's
Pardon Our Interruption
My Kioti CK 2620 had these sized radial R14's on her 27-8.5-15 fronts and 15-19.5, the rears when filled with beet juice added 330 pounds each supposedly.

 

[LouNY]

This is cut an pasted from the quote.

• MF1E.25H Hydro Tractor
• MF1E.25 - HST Platform
• F27x8.50-15 6PR / R15x19.5 6
• FL2407 SS Loader - 60" Bucket

The same size as the tires on my Kioti CK2620 which are R14's.

 

[oakhilltop]

I think the 1M.25 replaces the 1526 series, but I don't know much about MF series of tractors.

So I can swap in R14s for R4s if I can find the same size? Can the height from the rim to the top of the tread vary for the "same size" tires? And could that cause problems?

Initially, the tires were not that high on my list of pluses vs minuses of models because I thought if I really wanted the R14s, I could buy the "same size" and swap them. Hopefully during tractor prep at the dealer. After this thread, I'm wondering if I should move the tire consideration up a notch or two.

My top two considerations are price (of course) and reliability. I have a 400 foot driveway with a very steep grade and I need a tractor that will work every time during the winter. We have a turn out at the bottom where I park a car before a storm comes so that we can still get out. But if the tractor doesn't work, then walking up and down a steep hill with 8 inches of snow is not fun. Especially now that we are both 70, but luckily still in good health. We did get an Ego blower as a backup, but even using that on a steep grade is not fun. My very reliable JD 2305 is 16 years old now and I am concerned that time will start taking its toll on it. I'm hoping to get a new reliable tractor for the next 10 to 15 years, and get a little more capacity than the 2305.

 

[arrow]

I think the 1M.25 replaces the 1526 series, but I don't know much about MF series of tractors.

So I can swap in R14s for R4s if I can find the same size? Can the height from the rim to the top of the tread vary for the "same size" tires? And could that cause problems?

Initially, the tires were not that high on my list of pluses vs minuses of models because I thought if I really wanted the R14s, I could buy the "same size" and swap them. Hopefully during tractor prep at the dealer. After this thread, I'm wondering if I should move the tire consideration up a notch or two.

My top two considerations are price (of course) and reliability. I have a 400 foot driveway with a very steep grade and I need a tractor that will work every time during the winter. We have a turn out at the bottom where I park a car before a storm comes so that we can still get out. But if the tractor doesn't work, then walking up and down a steep hill with 8 inches of snow is not fun. Especially now that we are both 70, but luckily still in good health. We did get an Ego blower as a backup, but even using that on a steep grade is not fun. My very reliable JD 2305 is 16 years old now and I am concerned that time will start taking its toll on it. I'm hoping to get a new reliable tractor for the next 10 to 15 years, and get a little more capacity than the 2305.

I feel you are putting too much credence on tread type.
Turfs are very good in snow because it is not the tread that grips snow. It is the snow on the tire that grips snow.
Once you add temps above freezing, no tread will do better than chains.

Any tire will do you as from your driveway description, I’d get chains no matter what the tire.
Forget about reliability as there is no objective measure for it.
What you need is capability and a larger tire with chains has more capability in snow on steep inclines than a tire w/o chains.
Do not rely on advertised tire size. There is no industry standard so yes, two tires of different make and or different tread with the same advertised tire size, can have differentiated circumference

 

[LouNY]

I think the 1M.25 replaces the 1526 series, but I don't know much about MF series of tractors.

So I can swap in R14s for R4s if I can find the same size? Can the height from the rim to the top of the tread vary for the "same size" tires? And could that cause problems?

Initially, the tires were not that high on my list of pluses vs minuses of models because I thought if I really wanted the R14s, I could buy the "same size" and swap them. Hopefully during tractor prep at the dealer. After this thread, I'm wondering if I should move the tire consideration up a notch or two.

My top two considerations are price (of course) and reliability. I have a 400 foot driveway with a very steep grade and I need a tractor that will work every time during the winter. We have a turn out at the bottom where I park a car before a storm comes so that we can still get out. But if the tractor doesn't work, then walking up and down a steep hill with 8 inches of snow is not fun. Especially now that we are both 70, but luckily still in good health. We did get an Ego blower as a backup, but even using that on a steep grade is not fun. My very reliable JD 2305 is 16 years old now and I am concerned that time will start taking its toll on it. I'm hoping to get a new reliable tractor for the next 10 to 15 years, and get a little more capacity than the 2305.

I have absolutely no use for R4 tires, they have never favorably impressed me once they get off hard dry pavement. I have used R1 almost all of the time. That said the R14's on my little Kioti have impressed me with their capabilities. They work very well in snow untill you do spin them and pack it into ice, then you had better hope you can back out of that spot and get back on fresh unpacked snow. R1's will work about the same very good intill they break out and spin and make ice.
The rear r14's, I did have too add spacers to have clearance for my chains,
before...................................................................after

These are the new BKT Ridemax tires I put on my Brason last fall, they have been an impressive tire on this tractor on snow and dirt and turf, they got into bit of mud during the spring and they did OK not as good as R1's but much better then R4's could have ever dreamed of doing.

Chained up and ready for winter, even with tires that work well in snow when it gets steep and packed or iced over nothing will work like good chains. These studded Euro patterned chains are the best I've found after many decades of using chains.