Tires in the snow

Pks · Feb 5, 2002

For those of you who have Ag tires, how well do you like them in the snow and in sand?

I have R4s that are garbage in snow and sand. I use chains to help.

Peter

RichZ · Feb 5, 2002

I have ags on my tractor, and they're very good in snow. I've never taken my tractor to the beach (Am I depriving the poor thing?), so I don't know about sand. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

But if the snow is very deep and heavy it can slip, so I invested in a set of double ring chains. Now it feels like it can go through anything!/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I cleaned up the thick ice of an ice storm (several inches of frozen snow and ice) with my backblade, and never slipped at all! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Rich
"What a long strange trip it's been."

Bob_Trevithick · Feb 5, 2002

<font color=blue>...I have R4s that are garbage in snow and sand.</font color=blue>

I'm amazed to hear this, because last night I went out plowing snow with R4s and nothing but a 250 lb. dirt scoop on the back, and I had no trouble whatsoever. I can only imagine what the R1s with chains must be like if they can put these R4s to shame.

Bob

Hillbilly · Feb 5, 2002

I bought a JD 4400 and it had the R-4 tires(I could not get R-1 tires when I bought the tractor,a month wait at least)I tried the R-4 for a year and they failed miserably for my application,I bought the R-1 tires through my dealer and it was like I moved up a tractor size/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif,not to mention the great traction. I asked my dealer here in WV(Hayhurst) if he would give me an allowance on trading when I ordered the R-1's and he said we will cross that bridge when we come to it,I ended up crossing the bridge myself,and I have a set of R-4's in my barn collecting dust./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

bher · Feb 5, 2002

I have ag. tires. So far they have done quite well in snow on my step driveway. They also do well in the soft mud and clay that I seem to have too much of. I don't have any experience in sand, but I would expect that ags. would be superior to R4s. Paddle tires seem to be the best in sand, and ags. are the closest thing to a paddle. Just a thought.

Youare · Feb 5, 2002

I have Ag's on both my tractors and they are decent in snow, good in soft dirt and mud, ice is a different story. I have chains on the Ford 8N for added traction in the winter. So far the 4WD on the Kubota has been SO much better that I think I can get away without chains.

I have a friend with R4's on his Kubota Grand L. He likes the lawn frienldy aspect of the R4's vs. Ag's, but when it came to performance in the snow the R4's were not that much better than when he had turfs on it.

Randy

Robert_in_NY · Feb 5, 2002

I use ags with no chains and have used it in over 18" of pure mud when I was moving a dirt pile from the middle of a field to the brush to clear the field for tillage in early spring. I had no problems in that mess and never had any problems in snow. I even use the tractor in our channel with 3 feet of water and a nice layer of muck on the bottom and still have never been stuck. Only experience with R-4's is on our backhoe and I have had to use the arm numerous times to get me out of a few inches of mud as the R-4's plug too easily. If you don't use the tractor on your yard any amount there is no need for R-4s.

Boondox · Feb 5, 2002

When it came time to buy my tractor I had to answer the R1 vs R4 question. In my case, a test drive provided the answer. Tried to back an R4 equipped JD 4300 up a gentle incline with 3" of snow on top of wet grass...and the tractor didn't move. Tried the same thing with an Ag equipped 4300 and had no trouble whatsoever. But because of all the ice where I live Clementine uses Norse ice chains on the rear.

Pete

JJT · Feb 5, 2002

Peter, I'm very happy with my R4's. No problems in the snow, ice or loose dirt. True they gum up quick in the mud, but so far I've not been hopelessly stuck and have many hours working in 12" of muck. The R4's are also more puncture resistant than Ag's and Turf's. I brush hog at least 20 acres each summer and have not had any flats. JJT

gerard · Feb 5, 2002

I have R1's and plow in a high snow area. They were good but I plow in the field (paths to the pastures) and can get some pretty good piles going so I bought the duo grips chains for the rear. Can push a pretty big pile with a 7ft backblade before I start spinning.

JJT · Feb 5, 2002

I blow snow so I don't need the traction you guys need to push or pull snow. I'm in the minority but I love my R4's!

frank_f15 · Feb 5, 2002

BOB will agree with u . i have r4's and plow a lot of snow up here, have not found them to be a problem, the only time i think i woud prefer ag's is in wet sloppy mud or loose dirt. i had a ford 2n wirh ags and chains and this bota with r4's and no chains can do way much more with no slipping. and if she does slip alittle, i back off the fel and go slower.THERE AIN'T ON SUCH THING AS ONE PERFECT TIRE .

Anonymous Poster · Feb 5, 2002

No turfs for me.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 5, 2002

No Industrials either.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Robert_in_NY · Feb 5, 2002

There is too much fun playing with big tractors in slop like that isn't there John. Only problem is cleanup as that stuff finds its way everywhere.

Thomas · Feb 5, 2002

John,
I kid you not..for that photo looks like some of our country roads during the spring thaw...pick a rut and hope you make it /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif..than the town closes the road when they get real bad.

Pks · Feb 6, 2002

Thanks people! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif You have all helped me decide to get a set of ags. My R4s are great for our steep front lawn. But for pulling our 4 ft box blade through the sand, they are maginal. And I tired of digging holes with the tires! There is nothing more frustrating than trying to smooth the dirt and have the tires dig holes because they slipped in the sand.

P.S. Sorry to have added this question to the photos section (duh). I'll make up for it when I post pictures of the 40 ft wide x 50 ft long by 5 ft deep hole I'm digging in my back yard. I'm making space for a barn. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Peter