Another R-4 and R-1 tear up grass lawn.

[Mudball]

I havent bought a new L2501 yet but Im on the edge of doing so. I know I want R-1 tires on the rear for sure. I do not plan on doing much yard work at all. In addition to a small garden spot that is surrounded by our mowed lawn, there is also going to be several times when Im working in another small two acre area and it would be very convenient to be able to turn around in the adjacent yard with grass that I mow.
Ive read on this site and other places where everyone warns me about the front R-1 tires tear up the grass lawn especially on 4wd models.
(1) What if I were to keep the R-1 for the rear and R-4 for the front tires on a 4wd ? (dumb idea ?)
(2) Or...I keep all 4 tire as R-1's and What about once I get to the grass area, I disengage the 4wd with the front R-1 tires and I turn relatively slower, and at a less aggressive radius ? Would it still tear the grass up ?
Thanks

 

[rjcorazza]

I wouldn't run R4's on the front with R1's on the rear. I suspect you could find a tire with the correct circumference, but it's also far from a sure thing.
R1's take a real hit on forums for turf damage, but my experience is that whipping around any tractor in 4wd is going to rough up the turf with any tire type. I've run R1's on nicely mowed lawns, and conservative operation doesn't mess it up (at least by my standards).
Even R4's WILL chew up turf in 4wd with aggressive operation.

 

[Technical Ted]

I've got a L3560 w/cab so mine might be a little heavier than yours, but a lot depends on how much moisture you have in your soil and how hard packed it is... Especially in the springtime, and especially when I have my FEL on, my front R1s sink into the ground big time in my yard! Where it's wetter, I can't even drive without the FEL without sinking in.

Even in the winter when the ground isn't frozen 100% when I plow and push snow off into my yard I will find ruts form... My tractor w/FEL is heavy up front!

So, I think a lot depends on your soil condition, but my advice is, if going with R1s in front, be prepared for sinking in some.

Edit: Oh, forgot... doesn't make any difference whether in 4WD or 2... it's a weight thing. But I'm sure tearing around in 4WD would make thing worse!

Good luck,
Ted

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

Unfortunately you can't mix and match R1 and R4 tires unless they have the same rolling circumference. The stock R4 front tires to my knowledge are actually smaller than the stock R1 tires so there may be some driveline issues if you do use different tires for the front. I've got the R1 tires on my L3901 and in the spring or if it's wet out they will tear the grass up a bit but realistically it's not a lawn mower so I try to keep it off the grass as much as possible. I think that if your going to be using it on grass a lot that you may want to go with turf tires and use a set of chains for any other low traction areas that you may need to go in.

 

[Mudball]

No mix and match...got it. Ive never had a tractor with R-1 front tires before and thats because Ive never had a 4wd. Mine have always been 2wd the ribbed front tires. Even the ribbed front tires can mess up my grass if I go too fast or turn too sharp.
My point is that it sounds like from the responses you all gave and from what Ive read from times before, that I will be fine as long as I control myself when turning on the grass. I believe I will go with the R-1s because of my dirt work applications but must go slow and easy on the grass. Just trying to get all the feedback I can.
Thanks for all the great replies.

 

[sdk1968]

any tire will tear up the yard in 4wd if you turn hard enough & throttle.

im running r4's & if its muddy or wet? i stay out of the grass/yard...

once its dry? you dont really notice it at all & i just make a mental note to keep moving over to have the swear spread out vs making a set up perma traks in the yard.

r1's are design to get traction/dig & grab... so if you want them for that plowing you are gonna do? then expect them to dig/grab, thats what they are made for.

you just gotta figure which compromise you want in your situation.

do you really need that much "grab"? you are already considering NOT doing r1's in your other thread because you might not want to do all that deep plowing in your area..

so you gotta kinda make up your mind which way you want to go.. & that will determine your real need.

if you really wanna deep plow? then go with the R1's & play with how to use them in your yard.

but for most things? the R4's are a good compromise.

only time mine get clogged up is if im in the clay trying to get up the hillside like you see posted in one of my early threads here.. 20* + & slimy!

s

 

[Mudball]

any tire will tear up the yard in 4wd if you turn hard enough & throttle.

im running r4's & if its muddy or wet? i stay out of the grass/yard...

once its dry? you dont really notice it at all & i just make a mental note to keep moving over to have the swear spread out vs making a set up perma traks in the yard.

r1's are design to get traction/dig & grab... so if you want them for that plowing you are gonna do? then expect them to dig/grab, thats what they are made for.

you just gotta figure which compromise you want in your situation.

do you really need that much "grab"? you are already considering NOT doing r1's in your other thread because you might not want to do all that deep plowing in your area..

so you gotta kinda make up your mind which way you want to go.. & that will determine your real need.

if you really wanna deep plow? then go with the R1's & play with how to use them in your yard.

but for most things? the R4's are a good compromise.

only time mine get clogged up is if im in the clay trying to get up the hillside like you see posted in one of my early threads here.. 20* + & slimy!

s

Sounds great.
Thanks

 

[Ramos]

Yep, there is no perfect tire for all things. The R-1 is specific to your field plowing type work, best traction on soft surfaces. The R-4 is extra stiff and designed to resist punctures and wear well on pavement. The Turf is best for, well, turf although it is also well suited to snow due to all the 'edges' on the tread.


All you can do is identify what your #1 priority is and choose accordingly. Then use your best judgment to minimize ground damage in more sensitive areas. R-1 on turf? Use 2wd, low speeds, wider turns and judicious use of turning brakes if so equipped.

 

[chim]

I have one tractor with R1's and the other has R4's (and a loader). Neither one hurts my grass. As others said, keep the tractor out of 4WD unless you really need it. Using 4WD when you have decent traction adds unnecessary wear on the tractor. I don't have the loader on the Kubota unless I'm using it. Without that weight and in 2WD I have to be going like a moron to damage the grass unless the ground is very wet.

 

[Missouribound]

If you are working on a lawn, or grass for that matter turf tires are the only way to minimize tearing up the ground. Mixing tires is never recommended because of the additional wear on the 4 wheel drive.
Turning in 4 wheel drive will tear up the ground unless you are extremely careful....and it usually doesn't work.
Get it with tires for the work you want to do and mow the lawn with a tractor.
Use your new tractor to make a turn around spot on the rougher area.

 

[tsafa]

Just make sure the grass is dry. In the Summer with the sun beating down it should be dry in a few hours after rain. In the spring or fall it could take a few days. I will mow with an L 3800 with R4 tires.


I normally now in 2 wheel drive. If the grass is wet I'll switch into 4 wheel drive to spread the traction out and prevent spinning the wheels to break the dirt. In four-wheel drive just don't take tight turns.

 

[Dave_eng]

Have a M7040 with R4's and 72" Landpride finishing mower.

I use it for the lawn around my farm home especially if it is hot as the AC in the cab is nice. The R4's leave marks in the grass but they quickly disappear once growing resumes.

If the ground is wet and soft the Landpride 2572 is a problem as its four wheels don't support its weight and sink a bit.

Dave M7040

 

[Mudball]

Thanks for everyone's really helpful replies.