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.

View attachment 163511 View attachment 163512 View attachment 163513 View attachment 163515 View attachment 163518

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.

 

[BAP]

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.

View attachment 163507

You aren’t comparing the same size tires. That’s going to lead to some load capacity differences. Also, if you are going to use the tractor that hard to blow out the tires, then you are buying the wrong tractor for the job. You something that is more rugged. R4 tires suck in mud or slimmy situations compared to other types of tires.

 

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

You aren’t comparing the same size tires.

They are the tires that you get if you order an MX. I looked at them on the lot - the actual tires I would get. Seems like a fair comparison, no?

Also, if you are going to use the tractor that hard to blow out the tires, then you are buying the wrong tractor for the job.

I want to pick up a 2200-ish lbs (fork + bin of firewood) and drive it across the yard. Will an R14 do this well? Is the MX the wrong tractor for this?

R4 tires suck in mud or slimmy situations compared to other types of tires.

Are you referring to the new R4 the added grooves?

 

[jyoutz]

They are the tires that you get if you order an MX. I looked at them on the lot - the actual tires I would get. Seems like a fair comparison, no?


I want to pick up a 2200-ish lbs bin of firewood and drive it across the yard. Will an R14 do this well? Is the MX the wrong tractor for this?


Are you referring to the new R4 the added grooves?

Related to your question: is the MX the wrong tractor for this? You will be at maximum capacity with a 2200# bin. On my MX me forks weigh about 300# and when I pick up a 2000# pallet I feel like this is maximum weight for the 2400# lift capacity of the 1065 loader.

 

[IWantAnOrangeTractor]

You will be at maximum capacity with a 2200# bin. On my MX me forks weigh about 300# and when I pick up a 2000# pallet I feel like this is maximum weight for the 2400# lift capacity of the 1065 loader.

Sorry I meant total weight. I edited to correct. I want to be near what it it is spec'd to lift.

I don't suppose you're doing this on R14 are you?

 

[McMXi]

@IWantAnOrangeTractor, I've had R4 tires on two MX6000 tractors for a combined 5 years. A little over a year on the first MX6000HST and four years on the current MX6000HSTC. I have over 600 lb of wheel weights and liquid ballast in the rear tires. I have zero experience with R14 tires but do have R1 tires on the M6060.

As for R4s, as others have said, they SUCK in the snow! If I need to move through a foot or more of snow, typically close to 3 feet at my place in the winter months, the M6060 is the tractor of choice. It'll climb a 30 degree hill in 3 feet of snow without any trouble at all, and knowing my idiot CA neighbors I'll be pulling them out of the snow again this winter as I did five times last year! I should add that I've never had any vehicle as capable as the M6060 when it comes to deep snow. The R1 tires, the ground clearance and the creep range are a superb combination for walking up very steep hills in deep snow. The M6060 will go places that the M-1078 (recently sold), my Jeep TJ or either of my Super Duty trucks simply couldn't go.

I use the MX in the winter months with a rear mount snow blower and front mount hydraulic blade and don't need to be in fresh, deep snow since I'm always clearing a path ahead of the tires. I improved traction by grooving the tires which works well, and I never have any mud to deal with.

When it comes time to buy new tires for the MX will I choose R4s or R14s? I don't know the answer to that question at the moment. R4s have worked well for me so I'd probably be inclined to stick with what I know, but I'd have to do some research for sure. The fact that I have the M6060 with R1s does factor in as well since I don't need to have good snow performance. I need a tire suitable for mowing and loader work that has good sidewall strength and puncture resistance, as well as decent traction on asphalt and gravel driveways in the winter months. So far the R4s have proven to be more than adequate for those tasks.

 

[jyoutz]

Sorry I meant total weight. I edited to correct. I want to be near what it it is spec'd to lift.

I don't suppose you're doing this on R14 are you?

R4

 

[Shawn T. W]

Here is a video of tire options ...

The part number for the R14 front tire is a Radial tire, it will ride much better, and will do better in snow than the R4.