R4 Tire tread question

BigTone · May 3, 2012

I have been looking at some new utility/compact tractors and I continue to see them with the R4 tread tires and not AG tires. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to having R4 vs. R1 and vise versa?

*I understand this is an opinion question and I would like to hear peoples opinions, positive/negative exeriences, expertise.

Thanks guys, Anthony

paul · May 3, 2012

R4 are designed to wear well on paved streets. They will last forever even on paved surfaces.

Small acreage folks have found they don't rip up the sod very much when mowing lawn with their tractor, so they are very popular there.

The disadvatage is that they have much less traction in fresh dirt, sand, mud, and snow. If you plan to pull hard - plowing, or working in a sand pit, or real muddy conditions, that sort of thing - they won't have as much traction, you'll spin.

Positive is they are easy on the lawn, the negative is the opposite of course - they don't pull as well in tough conditions.

Dean · May 3, 2012

R4s are considered a compromise between turf and ag tread designs and popular for small CUTs.

The R4s, though not as forgiving turf tires, are less damaging to your lawn than AG designs while providing marginally better traction than turf tires. AG tires do, however, provide MUCH better traction than either R4s or turf tires on other than hard surfaces.

Dean

Mike in Mn. · May 3, 2012

R4's aren't as aggressive as R1's, won't tear up the dirt or sod as bad. The lugs are wider and they wear better on hard surface and blacktop. But for ag use with max bite, R1's will come out way on top.

glennster · May 3, 2012

i just took a set of r-4's off my loader backhoe and put firestone field and roads on it. made a huge difference in the traction on the machine. working in sloppy ground, the machine would always get stuck, then you'd walk out with the dipper. with the r-1's on it now, i rarely get stuck, and when it does, ya need a big tractor to pull er out.

VicS · May 3, 2012

I agree with all of the above. We have had both. The biggest down-side to the R4's is they ride rough. Have Ag tread now, but have to be careful with the finish mower. Just can't use it if is wet. Good think is will go almost anywhere in the mud.

jm. · May 3, 2012

Big T Just read all the post and they pretty well summ it up but let me give you my experience. Been a Kubota Dealer for over 25 years. On the 20/40 hp L series tractors 86 % of them sold are 4 wheel drive then the second figure is about 85 % of those are sold with r4 tires. What happens is the r4 is just a more all around tire. The negative is the self cleaning on a old red clay bank where the soil is real slick. All depends on the intended use. I can tell you from a dealer,s stanpoint it will be worth more with the r 4 s at trade in. Hope this helps.

RGMartin · May 3, 2012

And then there are the "aggressive" R-4 tires like a Goodyear IT525

Ken Macfarlane · May 3, 2012

One other plus for r4's, if you have a loader on, you don't need to run them so high pressure as they are wider. More load capacity.

jm. · May 4, 2012

Ken My experience is exactly the opsite. We always advise to up the air about 4 lbs in the R$ when we install loaders. The reason is the wider tire will is prone to roll off the rim with any preasure less than 16 lbs on the front. Usually try to go on up around 24/25 in the fronts..

R4 Tire tread question

BigTone

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paul

Well-known Member

Dean

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Mike in Mn.

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glennster

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VicS

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jm.

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RGMartin

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Ken Macfarlane

Well-known Member

jm.

Well-known Member

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