Which tires for my MX: R14 or R4-TL2

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

I'm about to buy an MX6000 and can't decide between the R4 and R14

I like that the R14 is better in snow. Snow removal is not a primary purpose of this machine, but I can imagine at some point it could happen... to move some snow banks, or rescue my primary plowing tractor, or drive on a fire road to get some wood bins - who knows.

But I like the R4 because I've seen people claim:

• R4 will wear less on my 1000 foot asphalt driveway
• R4 will squat less when I'm using my loader and backhoe
• R4 sidewall will give more lateral stability, and I do have a hilly property
• R4 less likely to puncture when I go in the woods

I'm not plowing fields so don't care about that.

I understand the pros and cons of each, but without experiencing them I have no idea how severe (or not severe) the pros and cons actually are) to decide which is the better compromise.

Which would you get for my scenario, and why?

 

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

Looked up the actual tires on the tractors.. And wow, the load rating of the fronts differs significantly. Does this matter in practice? No idea.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Depending on what you plan to do with your machine, those specs you identified could be important.

Another spec item I would wonder before making decision are the outside tire diameters. IMO bigger diameter smooth the ride. Although if the R14s are a little softer that might be a push or very negligible at best.

if planning to fill with fluid for ballast, tire volume would give ability to add more ballast in tires if that matters. Not sure I have seen a spec for volume but diameter and width should be a good indicator.

personally I like the size, ride and appearance (stance) of the large R4s. They seem wide and taller than the AGs…I am not really sure the comparison to the R14s. Maybe appearance does/doesn’t matter for you

IMO buy once cry once…get the ones you want.

speaking for myself I am ready to see some pics of your machine. Happy shopping.

 

[JasonW]

For comparison the Goodyear 9.5-16 R1 load capacity is 1390lbs.
Which is what I have on my MX and even with the loader maxed out the tires handle it just fine. I keep the fronts at max pressure.

How many times are you planning to drive up and down your driveway with it?

Whichever tire you decide on definitely look into fluid filled ballast and/or wheel weights for traction and stability.

 

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

I would wonder before making decision are the outside tire diameters. IMO bigger diameter smooth the ride. Although if the R14s are a little softer that might be a push or very negligible at best.

According to the specs, the R4 are a little shorter actually. I updated the table above.

I don't mind shorter because I have a lot of hills, so lower center of gravity is good.

speaking for myself I am ready to see some pics of your machine. Happy shopping.

This is it! It has R14 now but they will swap the R4 off the cab MX they also have if I want them.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

According to the specs, the R4 are a little shorter actually. I updated the table above.

I don't mind shorter because I have a lot of hills, so lower center of gravity is good.



This is it! It has R14 now but they will swap the R4 off the cab MX they also have if I want them.

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Did you drive both? Might be interesting to see if they feel much difference going down the road. I’d want to drive and feel if any difference before decision.

 

[mikester]

The two styles don't look much different to me from my google search. I'd buy the ones with higher load capacity as I do a lot of loader work.

The TL2 tires look like what might happen to my R4's when I swipe the tires when they get older with a tire groover.

 

[JasonW]

I brought up the load rating on the R1 because they are quite lower than the others but work fine on this size machine.

What’s the load rating on the front axle?

It would be like putting 14ply trailer tires on a 3500lb single axle trailer.

 

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

Did you drive both? Might be interesting to see if they feel much difference going down the road. I’d want to drive and feel if any difference before decision.

No, I didn't unfortunately

The two styles don't look much different to me from my google search. I'd buy the ones with higher load capacity as I do a lot of loader work.

I think a slightly larger percentage of the R14 is open space, so the weight will be concentrated with more force on the R14 tread with more PSI. But I could be wrong.

But I think tire compound might be important as well. The R14 is slightly softer rubber

What’s the load rating on the front axle?

Good question. But the loader can pick up 2400 lbs. If there's no counterweight on the back of the tractor (which of course you should have) and the rear wheels started to come off the ground, that means all the weight is on the front axle. That is roughly 6,000 lbs of tractor + 2400 lbs of cargo = 8,500 lbs total on the axle, which is 4,250 lbs per tire.