R4 Tire tread question

Dieselrider · Dec 4, 2016

This message is a reply to an archived post by BigTone on May 03, 2012 at 07:54:43.
The original subject was "R4 Tire tread question".

R-4 s are the worst tire ever invented for anything other than packed earth or concrete. Next to zero traction in any soft ground condition. They may be good for loader work as long as you are on very solid ground. Any soft ground or mud, or slope. They are just set and spin tires.

Dean · Dec 4, 2016

That's exactly what they are designed to do.

R-4s are designed for use on construction equipment such as loader/backhoe tractors. On such machines, you do not want to dig holes when the tires slip.

Dean

jm. · Dec 4, 2016

With all that said I can say we sell well over 300 new Kubotas a year with r4 tires. In the utility tractor that is not going to see field or farm work the R4 is the answer or at least the public sure seems to think so. In the L series 30/50HP 86% of the units sold are on R4 tires. very few ag or turf. Now when you go over 50 hp and get to farm tractors the mix changes.

Eldon (WA) · Dec 4, 2016

(quoted from post at 14:20:57 12/04/16) With all that said I can say we sell well over 300 new Kubotas a year with r4 tires. In the utility tractor that is not going to see field or farm work the R4 is the answer or at least the public sure seems to think so. In the L series 30/50HP 86% of the units sold are on R4 tires. very few ag or turf. Now when you go over 50 hp and get to farm tractors the mix changes.

Mostly sold to city folks that bought acreage out here, and don't know any better...

Robert Major · Dec 4, 2016

I don't know why we are replying to a post that's over 4 years old you found, But anyway I just got a JCB 3D3 backhoe loader thats 2 wd and has a set of R4's on the back. considering it weighs over 7 tons, and the fields and yard on the farms so wet it's crazy after rains this year. I personally don't think mine are that bad from where I have been with them,compared to the chore tractor with R1's,and front assist.

unless something happens with those backhoe tires to need changing I won't be replacing them with tractor lugs like I thought i was going to have to,when i got the machine. I feel if mine are making that much mess and I can't move as its sinking or spinning that bad, It won't matter what treads I have. It's to wet to be out on the land with the machine, and i'd be stuck or making a bigger mess if it had tractor lugs or it was a front assist with regular tires..

Dieselrider · Dec 5, 2016

I have them on a skid steer and hate em. I would bet the farm that even up ag tires are 10 times better for traction. The people buying them on compact tractors are NOT using these things for field work.

I found this thread from four years ago while looking for whomever is responsible for the foolish design of this tread. They may work for construction on hard surfaces but they are an absolute design flaw for anything off road.

Texasmark1 · Dec 5, 2016

I bought a 24 hp tractor for around the farm chores and deliberately chose R4s . The rest of my corral runs R1s. I wanted the 4s for a smoother ride but failed to consider the stiff sidewall and 6 ply. Even at 10#, still rough.

After several attempts at solving the problem with home made alternatives, I found an air suspension system on ebay for $375, free shipping.....guy has 7 left at that price if anybody is interested. I don't need the seat part which cut the price in half over complete air seats offered. I know that will solve the rough ride problem. 4wd helps make up for the lack of traction in some of the odd jobs and I loaded them to help in offsetting the FEL weight on the front axle. The other problem with small tractors is odd tire sizes. Makes for a narrow selection market availability.

R4 Tire tread question

Dieselrider

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Dean

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jm.

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Eldon (WA)

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Robert Major

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Dieselrider

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Texasmark1

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