Brian, I'm going through right now what you did. I got talked into R4s, and its been a huge mistake. I've always had R1s and traction was never a problem. Mowing the yard wasn't a problem either, and I never saw the marks that supposedly the R4s would eliminate. Now, with the R4s, I have no traction, and....MARKS IN THE YARD! I can't tell you how much I hate R4s! I personally think R4s are the biggest scam to tractor owners ever perpetuated.18 months ago i agonized over the same dilemma on my MX 5200. Went with R4s. They were bad in deep snow and horrible in mud or fieldwork. Last november i ordered the ag tires, sold the R4s and have enjoyed good traction ever since. Unfortunately i lost a $1000 in the process. Get the ag tires and dont look back.
I've contacted a few guys selling L tractors with R1s, hoping they would trade me for my nearly-new R4s, but so far no luck. Guess I'm gonna have to drop $1000 like you did.