[Darryle]

I currently have R4s on our 3032e, but I really want R1s, if for no other reason than we use it in the garden and field tilling and subsoiling. We also mow quite a bit and occasionally do dirt and road repair work, mainly grading the driveway. I also have a finish mower for the field that I use in the fall and occasionally in the yard when the grass on the perimeter gets to tall for the zero turn.

If you were in my shoes, would you worry with swapping tires and wheels?

Thanks Darryle

 

[ddinham]

You only need to answer one question. Are the R4 tires not getting the job done? Tire switching is expensive.

Dave

 

[Darryle]

I don't feel they have the bite of a set of ag tires would. Usually while subsoiling, I have to either "lock" the rear diff or go into 4wd to get thru an area, I don't think that would be the issue with the ag tires.

 

[Brads Vineyard]

I tried to run R4 tires on my property and because of the loose sand and hilly terrain they just would not work for me. So I always run R1 tires on my tractors. In my experience they have much better traction. If you switch you will probably have much better traction.

The real question is, would the improved traction be worth the cost of buying new tires and wheels?

If you could find someone with a tractor that had R1 tires that was looking to switch to R4 that would be ideal.

 

[ddinham]

I use the 4WD on my 4066R with R4 tires quite a bit due to lack of traction, even when plowing. That is a lot cheaper than switching to R1 tires. Have you priced them? I suspect you could run $2000 or more. Since I mow my yard with my 4066R, R1 tires are out of the question for me.

Dave

 

[Darryle]

I just got off the phone with Ag Wheel Express, ordered the appropriate factory wheels and they were $700 shipped, Carlisle tires locally are $720 mounted with new tubes and valve stems.

I am going to sell the R3 and R4 sets I have for this tractors once they arrive and are mounted. I ordered a set of weights from Taylor Foundry, they are close enough I can go pick them up and they will powder coat them in JD yellow. I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet on Beet Juice, not because of the price, because I have to deal with the local Kubota dealer.

 

[ddinham]

Are you also replacing the front tires? Remember that with a 4WD tractor, you have to make sure to maintain the same relationship between front and rear tires. If you are replacing with same size tires, you will be OK.

Dave

 

[Darryle]

That was 4 wheels and 4 tires

Two 5" x14" front wheels, two 10"x24" rear wheels, two 7x14 Carlisle farm specialist tractor front tires and two 11.2x24 Carlisle farm specialist tractor rear tires

Those that haven't searched Ag Wheel Express, they beat every place I looked online as far as pricing.

 

[akadave]

R4s are durable and offer a good compromise between traction and turf damage. You won't like the ag tires on the lawn. I know some complain about traction, especially on snow and ice, but with proper ballast that has never been an issue for me. I'd stay with what you have.

 

[Darryle]

The current R4s are loaded and still slip, my problem is soil composition, it's heavy clay and any little moisture or dry period makes traction tough.

 

[Treefarmer]

The current R4s are loaded and still slip, my problem is soil composition, it's heavy clay and any little moisture or dry period makes traction tough.

Since you've made the decision, be sure and let everyone know how it works out for you. Everyone's situation is a little different but we can all still learn from each other.

Treefarmer

 

[ddinham]

The current R4s are loaded and still slip, my problem is soil composition, it's heavy clay and any little moisture or dry period makes traction tough.

I suspect that wet clay will still be slippery. Not much you can do about that, except possibly chains. Those R1 bar grip tires have to be able to sink in the ground to get traction.

Dave

 

[Herminator]

I have a set of R3 turfs and a set of R1's. Check with your dealer on a price as well but looking at what you said they were to order it will be more. 1400 comes to mind but I might be wrong.

I found the R1's are far superior for field type work and for snow removal on both gravel and blacktop. There is no comparison, I also went to studs to make changing them easier.

 

[Tlyons83]

Darryle, have you considered the Goodyear R14t tires for your tractor? I was very unhappy with the R4 tires that came stock, for my application the R14 was a great option. I was able to reuse the same wheels and trade in my old R4s to offset some of the cost. I use my tractor for working in the pasture, grading to roads, tillage, snow, and cutting the lawn. This is my first season with the R14s but I was able to use them in the snow and woods for getting firewood.

 

[Darryle]

Since you've made the decision, be sure and let everyone know how it works out for you. Everyone's situation is a little different but we can all still learn from each other.

Treefarmer

Well, I talked to Ag Wheel Express this afternoon and ordered the factory take off wheels, they will be here Friday via UPS. Called my tire guy and he's going to have a set of Carlisle tires and tubes here first of next week. I called Kubota and they never called me back. I will try again tomorrow and if I have no success, I will try to find a different Rim Guard/Beet Juice dealer.

The price of the wheels were what was holding me back, JD isn't friendly when it comes to the wheels. The wheels alone from JD were $1300, I will be in the tires and wheels for a little more than that.

This escalated fairly quickly after I found Ag Wheel Express, very friendly family owned business in Iowa.

Spoke with Taylor Foundry and was told that they had the weights in stock and powered coated ready to pick up. So I will head up there next week and pick up a set of 4 of the rear weights.

Found this article a while back and he came up with a simple solution for nesting the weights and using all 4 bolt holes in the wheel and weights.

West Texas

zooroomtechnologies.com

I originally considered the R14t tires but could not find any dealer willing to order them combined with the cost, made me give up.

I have found several manufacturers that make a 11.2x24 radial tire, this may be something I explore in the future. Having run 18.4x38 radials on my 4430 back in the day, I am well aware of how much more traction they provide and how much better they ride.

 

[JD Driver]

I have found several manufacturers that make a 11.2x24 radial tire, this may be something I explore in the future. Having run 18.4x38 radials on my 4430 back in the day, I am well aware of how much more traction they provide and how much better they ride.

Agree. I have mentioned this on GTT before that the big cushy radial tires and air ride seat on my 6 series has the most amazing ride over a rough field that I have ever experienced! Mowing in that tractor with a HX15 batwing is sure a pleasure.