R1 tires on grass

[thebuildist]

I'm considering getting a set of these:
https://www.farmtirewarehouse.com/brand ... ac-ii-r-1/

It will clearly help traction for loader operations.

But am I going to hate it for routine mowing? Is it going to tear up my grass?

Bob

[Eugen]

Those tires look good! I'm afraid when they say "request a quote".

If the ground is even a little soft you will hate them. Using your loader with turf tires you will hate. Get a second pair of rims and tires and be happy. I know you got limited space but two wheels can be hung high up on the ceiling, when you are as inventive as you Bob.

[thebuildist]

Thats' good advice. I suppose I'll need to fab up some of those "instant change" hubs like they use to change tires in Indy cars!

lol

Bob

[Gordy]

Those tires look good! I'm afraid when they say "request a quote".

Whats the old saying, OH yah. If you have to ask, you can't afford it

The 6 ply would probably be a rougher ride than you would like when mowing. But with the loader and counter weight the ride should smoothen out.


Gordy

[DavidBarkey]

The 8 -16 R-1 's is what I have on Frankie in the summer . He weight 2314 lbs with loader on , 3 pt blower and me in it . Only is an issue when ground is soft (from raining a lot ) . I do not mow with him . For you , because you need a do all tractor I would recommend a hybrid tire like a R-3 or go for a good lug Snow tire radial run at low pressure will have good bite and soft ride.

Dave

[Eugen]

I actually don't like myself to make such strong statements about other people's feelings, so maybe you won't hate them. This is what I don't really like about Ag tires on my tractor. Our ground stays soft for quite a while after a rain, and because I usually have the tractor pretty heavily loaded, it leaves big marks on the ground. Now, we have less than stellar lawn, but if I cared about the lawn a lot, it would bother me greatly. On the other hand, this is not the tractor I use for the lawn. You are in a difficult position having the same tractor for double duty. This has been discussed in another thread, but on loader duty, I had trouble with the original 644 tires! They are not shaved, but pretty worn out, and I could not push well into a pile of crushed lime stone. With the new 8-16 Ag tires on, it does that so much better.

Maybe your best compromise is to have another set of wheels, as I said. Yet it's a pain to change the wheels in the summer when you probably mow often, and need to use your front loader. I predict that you will use your loader with the turf tires, perhaps with chains on. And you will be fine as long as you don't expect to load your bucket fully. This is my opinion. Truth is always found on the ground and in the doing.

[crazycase]

Hello guys
I have a AG's on one of my 444's when mowing I make sure "no tight turns"
But I have a low spot were there's water standing and if I didn't have my AG's on I'd still be sitting in the middle of the low lands
Also have a few nasty hill's to climb the stock tires would not get the job done, not a BIG Fan of slipping sliding ⛐ thank goodness
for the hold back value if you don't have one ya better just hold on your in for a real ride

My 644 came with some old Monkey Wards snow tires with some pretty good chains out back, I'd like a brand new set of AG's but ya know no one makes them anymore

cc

[Eugen]

@crazycase you know @sdunt uses Carlisle Ag 7-16s on his 646 obviously with 16" rims. I use Denmann Ag 8-16 on my 644 also with 16" rims. But @Harry beats us all with his monstruosly big tires.

[Harry]

Here is a pic of the tires on my 646. Bigger is not always better, but I can say I never got stuck with these guys in the rear. I can rut up the yard these these tires, so I stay off the lawn.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[thebuildist]

Having read through everything, here's what I'm thinking:

1. I don't want to just replace my current turf tires with R-1's. The 6ply ride is poor and it'll tear up my grass.

2. The ideal thing is to buy an extra set of wheels and put R-1's on them. Cost: $3,125.00
(275 used 44x tires on ebay, 300 for R1's, $50 to convert rear hubs to protruding studs and $2500 to find a new place to live after the wife kicks me out. :-p)

3. Tire chains may well be a reasonable option: They take less time to install than swapping rear wheels, and they offer decent traction on soft ground, excellent traction on ice. We very rarely get ice around here, but I have cleared ice with my old 442 using a home built belly blade and running on turfs with chains. I was surprised how well it did.

I have a set of v-bar 4-link chains. I've just ordered another set of v-bar 4-link chains ($42 shipped on E-Bay). I'll combine my current set of chains into a single wheel 2-link chain. I'll do the same to the new set when they arrive. That will leave me with liquid filled turfs with a 2-link chains option.

I know it's not the ideal option, but I think it's workable and, given the cost difference, my best option.

Thanks everyone for your helpful input!

Bob