Comparison Tires, R-1 versus R-4

[Henro]

<font color="blue">I can tell you first hand, R-4's load up in gumbo mud and your stuck. </font>

Don't know if we have any gumbo mud around here, but even damp clay on a nearly flat surface can do about the same thing.

Last week I was back filling a ditch in the back yard, VERY gentle slope...could hardly move around sometimes, even with chains on the back. R4 tires...would not know by looking though...as the photo shows...

 

[SkyPup]

Yikes, that is a bummer and why we've got R1's on our tractors.

 

[Dargo]

Well, I have to agree with Soundguy here. I sometimes help a guy who runs mud bog races. On his boggers, they basically run a really tall and skinny R1 type tire. A wide tire equals stuck in the mud, generally speaking. Unless you bottom out severely, a tall thin R1 will undoubtedly give you more traction.

I went with the R4's becasue I have mostly finished my heavy dirt work and mostly mow with my tractor. For the times I use my tractor for dirt work, the R4's are fine, but they do not grip nearly like R1's will. I look at the R4's as a happy medium between the R1's and the turf tires. Personally I like them, but for pure pulling power, they do not compare to the R1's.

 

[JerryG]

Another thing to think about is that R-4 wheels are non-adjustable for width. R-1s or the most of them have adjustable rims. That will give you much more stability if your land is steep.

 

[keeney]

My comments on traction were in relation to a uniform consistency of surface vs depth. For the typical rain-induced surface muck, tall skinny tires can often penetrate down through the soft muck on the surface to something more solid deeper down. Same thing in fluffy snow - skinny tires can sometimes cut through to something solid.

In the same conditions, a higher "floatation" or wider tire will stay on the slick, wet layer on top.

- Rick

 

[slowzuki]

Again the links, and they are from this post:
Ag vs Industrial

Here are the R1W posts:

Chalkley Tires--Michelin XM27's

Best Tire for Boggy Ground

L4310 Enhancements

XM27 Tires on a L4610

Turf vs R1 vs R4?

Whew! What a pile of cut and paste! Hope these help. One is very long detail Mark C's work. The first pics don't work but the ones near the end do.
Ken )</font>

Edited Long URL

 

[SkyPup]

Try reading this one!

http://farmindustrynews.com/mag/farming_ground_contact_2/

Also here are the main Ag tractor tire manufacturers:

www.michelinag.com" target="_blank"> www.michelinag.com</a>

www.firestoneag.com

www.goodyearag.com

 

[SkyPup]

 

[SkyPup]

These PDF downloads from Goodyear Ag Tire Handbook are worth a read too:

http://www.goodyearag.com/tires/handbook.html

 

[slowzuki]

Many of us in the north east have similar soils to what the R1W is designed for. There isn't any irrigated land, only drainage projects.

Mostly I'm interested in the larger front footprint. The tractor we use has trouble working in the woods due to the front end sinking into the mud. I'm also interested in the thicker carcass because sticks tend to skewer the tires.