Tyre Choice

[aesmith]

I've only ever had a tractor with conventional agricultural tyres. Now I'm looking to replace the tractor i will need to consider firstly what type I would choose if it's a new tractor. And secondly if whatever is on a used tractor is going to be good or bad.

Generally my impulse would be to stick with what I know, which is ag. But there may be better options to consider.

Or disasters to avoid, for example finding that certain types are really unusable without chains, but are too wide or tight to even fit chains.

So assuming completely free choice, what sorts are best in snow?

And what are the absolute worst?
.

 

[oldnslo]

What size tractor are you looking at? Some of CUT size only offer R4 industrial, turf, and possibly the newer R14. Of these 3 options I suspect R14 but have no actual hands on experience. I do know that my experience with R4 is they are worthless on snow.

 

[RjCorazza]

Differing conditions mean you will get a wide variety of opinions. I personally run R4 tires, but I grooved them for winter traction. For my use, grooved R4's allow me to plow my residential contracts without chains.

That said, I think I would recommend that you consider R14's, or stay with the R1's that you know. I suspect you would need to change rims for practically anything but R1's, so it's gonna be expensive.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I've got R14's on my CK2610, and I've found them to be awesome in the snow. I haven't used tire chains on them, I don't even own a set for this machine.

They've been great.

 

[Rustyiron]

I'd make my choice based on your most often use, dirt or winter conditions.
putting chains on for the appropriate conditions is better than having an almost useless tractor for 3/4 of the year in soil or mud.
Check out the recent tire stud threads.
They're a pretty good compromise for not "chaining" regular ag tires.

 

[chim]

aesmith, your comments resonate with me. It's difficult to change from a type of tire that has worked well. Maybe even ill-advised? My first 4WD tractor came with R1's and have been replaced with R1's. It worked well so why change. Then the next 3 all have been equipped with R4's. The last two have been grooved as RjCorazza mentioned. Every time I got another tractor I'd agonize over the tire choice and end up with R4's anyway.

Better than 99% of the time these tractors have been on grass, paved areas or gravel. There have been a few times when they were used for some grading and dirt work but the work wasn't done in the mud.

 

[aesmith]

Thanks everyone. New tractor will be around 40HP, depending on what turns up.

Snow clearing is the most critical job, because if I can't clear our tracks, we can't get in or out. We use a snowblower so traction is needed to push into banks, but I guess less than if I was using a blade or plough. But we do have gradients.

The rest of the year it's mowing, and lifting and carrying. For these tasks it would be better to mark the ground less than ag tyres. But I can accept that damage rather than compromise snow performance.

Thanks for comments about R4. I was thinking they might be the right option, but it sounds like that would be an expensive mistake.

 

[aesmith]

This is an example of the choices on offer with a new tractor. Most expensive turf option adds around £2,500 over the basic ag option. R14 add £1,250.

(Putting it another way, tyre choice could cost nearly as much as adding a loader)

 

[chim]

One last thought. I didn't mean to imply the R4's were bad in snow by stating that they are primarily used on grass, paving or gravel. R4's do have that reputation with some posters. I believe grooving them is what makes them work well. Check Post #22 in this thread from another board:

L3560 LE Capabilities and Pricing

The L3560 grand is a great tractor, as for tires I have R1's but at times I wish I had of gone with R's. For me the tractor mainly gets used in winter so the R1's work well as R4's are useless without chains in snow. Good luck with it, keep your head high and your bucket low.

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[LouNY]

One other thought is that tires are reasonably priced to swap out.
That said, I detest R4's, I like R1's, I've been pleased with the R14's on my Kioti.
I did swap my Branson from R1's to BKT Ridemax and have been very favorably impressed by them.

 

[CoyPatton]

What size tractor are you looking at? Some of CUT size only offer R4 industrial, turf, and possibly the newer R14. Of these 3 options I suspect R14 but have no actual hands on experience. I do know that my experience with R4 is they are worthless on snow.

Turf’s (R3’s) are no better on snow/ice than R4’s! Both require chains for traction, sometimes merely to move the weight of the tractor.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I believe most tractors under 45-50 HP come standard with R4 industrial's ... The R14's though do seem to be more prolific than in the past ... Radial's could also be an option, not only improved ride, but better traction.

One thing to look into is load capacity, not all tires or even tread style have the same capacity ...

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I have R-4s because turf tires won't hold up to some of what I do...punched too many holes in too many tires...and R-1s tear up the lawn too much for much of the other work I do. If I had done my research better, I most likely would have gone for the R-14s. That is on a Kubota B2301, not the Cub in my photo, which had R-1s.

 

[aesmith]

Cheers. I'm looking for something 40hp or a bit more. Maybe a step up if something comes up used. Compact size is important, specially width. And I've seen some where turf look absurdly wide at the rear.

Not sure on changing tyres if those fitted aren't ideal. Looking at new option prices if R14 cost £1200 more than agricultural, it's going to cost more than that to change. I'd certainly have to look into that closely before opting for something used but with unsuitable tyres.

 

[aesmith]

With a quick look i couldn't see anyone actually selling R14 tyres in this country.

I think these are what we're talking about, Goodyear R14T. None of the tyre dealers who carry agricultural/turf/ industrial seem to list them. So no clue on cost.

Goodyear Farm Tires | 15-19.5NHS

www.goodyearfarmtires.eu

 

[tacticalturnip]

No one around you carries them? That's extremely frustrating, as they're excellent tires.

 

[leonz]

www.soltyre.co.uk

Check with the Soltyre people, they have branches in Bellshill, Brechen, Dumfries and Sowerby Bridge.

Kubota Canada equips its L6060 Nordic tractors with the Nokian R-14 winter tires.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I've only ever had a tractor with conventional agricultural tyres. Now I'm looking to replace the tractor i will need to consider firstly what type I would choose if it's a new tractor. And secondly if whatever is on a used tractor is going to be good or bad.

Generally my impulse would be to stick with what I know, which is ag. But there may be better options to consider.

Or disasters to avoid, for example finding that certain types are really unusable without chains, but are too wide or tight to even fit chains.

So assuming completely free choice, what sorts are best in snow?

And what are the absolute worst?
.

I have the R4s on my Bobcat. New, they grip just fine for normal work and plowing. Not enough if you get into the deeper muck where AG tires would get better bite and paddling ;-)

At 10 years old, they're much more worn and don't grip the hardpack snow or ice like they used to, so I'm considering chains. Probably get another 10 years of life out of them before having to replace.

 

[Mudfarmer]

R4s in my opinion were a compromise by manufacturers back in the late 2000s since the market was small landowners, small construction companies and landscapers; R4 tires give some traction but do not tear up the surface like R1s. I was unpleasantly surprised years ago when I traded in my old Ford 1700 for my JD 3005, the former with R1s, the latter with R4s. Suddenly I couldn't navigate winter mud on my hilly tree farm; the treads would pack and I'd be trying to drive up on slicks. Fortunately, I had R1s on a Kubota B7100 that I had at the time and could get around. I do like the wider stance and heavier fluid load of the R4s for summertime mowing since I don't bounce arounds as much on rough ground. I purposely ordered R1s on my newest rig, the Kubota B2650. It is now my winter tractor. One noticeable difference is the R4 equipped tractor feels more stable on side slopes than does the R1 equipped tractor, but then the B2650 is a bit narrower than the 3005.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

The R4's have much stiffer sidewalls, and tougher tires in general ... Yes a 8 ply R1 is tougher than a 4 ply R4 ... !