When purchasing a compact tractor, there are two primary types of tires you’ll choose from.
At most dealerships you’ll have a choice between R1 agricultural tires, sometimes referred to as “ag tires”, and R4 industrial tires. There are other options, but these are the most common.
Most dealers will default to R4 for compact tractors with a loader.
Choosing the right tire for your needs can make a big difference in your tractor’s performance, so you should weigh your options carefully.
It should be noted that the exact tread patterns will vary by manufacturer, but tractor tires are generally designated with an R classification, as shown below.
| Model | Nickname |
|---|---|
| R1 | Agricultural, Deep Lug |
| R3 | Turf Tires |
| R4 | Industrial Tires |
| R14 | A hybrid between R1 and R4 |
R1 – Agricultural
R1 agricultural tires are designed for use in agricultural settings, where the tractor will be used primarily on soft or uneven terrain.
R1’s are your standard old school tractor tire that we are all familiar with. They have a deep lug tread pattern which provides optimal traction in muddy or wet conditions.
R1 tires are great for fields, pastures, and woodland areas. They excel at pulling ground engaging implements.
R1’s are less likely to get you stuck.
R4 – Industrial
R4 industrial tires were originally designed for construction and industrial settings, where a tractor is used on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt. But, don’t rule them out for agricultural or woodland settings!
R4’s have now become the most popular choice on compact tractors with loaders, and that’s for good reasons.
Industrial tires feature a shallower flatter tread pattern with smaller lugs. They still provide good traction, but are far less likely to tear up the ground.
R4’s won’t rip up the ground of your fields and trails, and won’t usually produce deep ruts. They are also a tougher tire than R1’s.
R3 – Turf Tires
Turf tires are generally NOT the preferred option for small property landowners that use their tractor for all-purpose use.
They are more expensive, and lack the traction that most small property owners need from their tractor. Because the tires are basically slick, they’re also not very good with loader use in wet or slippery conditions.
R3 turf tires are usually best left to specialized uses, such as for landscapers. We won’t be discussing turf tires as a legitimate compact tractor option here.
R3 (turf) tires are not good when it comes time for resale. Most used compact tractor buyers don’t want turf tires, and it is cost prohibitive to change them out.
R14
R14 tires are a newer option that came out in 2019. This model of tire splits the difference between the R1 and R4, thus the name R14.
If you need slightly more aggressive traction than the R4 can provide, R14’s are worth a look. Just know that you will be venturing back into the realm of a tire that tears up the turf.
Our discussion here will focus on R1’s vs R4’s, as those are by far the most common choices.
Comparison of R4 and R1 Tractor Tires
Below is a comparison between the 2 most common tire types for compact tractors.
| R1 Ag Tires | R4 Industrial Tires |
|---|---|
| Great traction | Good traction, but not as good in muddy conditions as R1 |
| Tears up soft ground | More gentle on turf |
| Frequent passes = deep ruts | Better for repeated passes (less rutting) |
| Narrower tire and stance | Wider and more stable |
| Cheapest | Approximately $700 more* |
| Best for ground engaging implements | Most common choice for compact tractors |
| Wears more quickly | Most durable and more puncture resistant |
| More prone to pop off front rim with loader work | Best compromise between ag and turf tires |
| Rounded tread profile | Flatter tread profile |
R4’s are the most popular choice for compact tractors with a loader.
7 Considerations When Choosing Tractor Tires
1. Loader Use
If your tractor has a loader, tire consideration is especially important. The extra weight in a loader can cause your front tires to want to slide around.
In soft and muddy conditions, you’ll get better performance from R1 ag tires. Especially on a 4wd tractor, the deeper lugs will track better in soft ground.
In contrast, industrial R4 tires are better for loader work on hard or dry ground where R1 tires are more prone to slide around, especially on slippery hard surfaces.
R4’s are better for typical loader work on dry ground.
2. Traction and Stability
R1 Tires Have the BEST Traction
Although ag tires tend to be tall, rounded, and skinny, the deep lugs provide great traction, which can be especially important in muddy conditions. There is a tradeoff to this traction.
The deep rounded lugs of an R1 will tear up soft ground in a hurry. I think this is the main reason the majority of compact tractor owners have moved away from R1 in favor of R4 tires.
Ag tires are more prone to pop off the front rims with loader work than R4’s are.
R4 Tires Are More Stable
R4’s are wider and flatter with shallower lugs than R1’s. This design better distributes a heavy load over more surface area of the tires which provides a more stable machine, especially for loader use.
Industrial tires excel on slippery hard surfaces, and do not damage the ground as much when transitioning to softer surfaces.
However, they won’t be quite as effective as R1 on soft ground. Let’s be honest, industrial tires are still pretty good in the traction department.
R4’s are much less likely to tear up lawns, driveways, and food plots.
3. Durability and Toughness
R4’s don’t wear out as fast
One of the primary reasons I chose to go with R4 tires on my Kubota was the toughness of this style of tire.
They are made from tougher materials and have an overall tougher design. The construction of R4’s is such that they are very durable, and simply do not wear out as fast as ag tires.
R4’s are more puncture resistant
Because R4 tires have more rubber in them, they are more resistant to punctures from nails and screws. This includes the sidewalls which are also toughened to resist punctures from the side.
Industrial tires handle heavier payloads
R4’s are capable of working with heavier loads, and are simply a tougher tire all around.
4. Implement Usage
For plowing or tilling, R1 tires are the ideal choice. Any heavy ground engaging implements will benefit from the use of agricultural tires.
For general use tractor work, such as mowing, grading, and moving things around, industrial tires are usually the better option.
R1 ag tires are better for ground engaging implements.
5. Price
While there isn’t a huge difference in price, there is usually a difference.
For the budget minded, R1’s are the cheapest possible option.
When I purchased my Kubota, I think I paid $600 or $700 extra for the R4’s, which were considered the standard option. Downgrading to R1’s would have saved me some cash.
6. Terrain Usage
| Terrain | Best Tire Option |
|---|---|
| Muddy | R1 |
| Hard surfaces | R4 |
| Fields and trails | R4 |
| Dry ground | R4 |
| Delicate lawn areas | R3 |
| Puncture prone areas | R4 |
| Gravel roads | R4 |
| Golf courses | R3 |
If you plan to frequently use your tractor in soft muddy conditions, R1 tires will provide additional traction that you simply can’t match with other options.
However, if you plan to use your tractor mostly in dry conditions, or on hard surfaces, either R4’s or R14’s are the better choice.
For frequent usage in places where you really don’t want to tear the ground up, R3 turf tires should be considered. Golf courses and lawns, for example, call for turf tires.
7. Comfort
R4 tires are generally quieter and have less vibration, thus providing a smoother more enjoyable ride.
R4 tires seem to have become the “jack of all trades” option for compact tractors.
Conclusion
A tractor is a huge expense, and the tires you select can have a significant impact on how pleased you are with its performance.
It’s certainly worth some thought to try to make the best possible decision up front, as swapping tractor tires can be quite expensive after the fact.
Any style of tire has pros and cons, but generally speaking, R1 tires are better for pulling power, and not getting stuck. R4 tires are more durable, won’t tear up the ground as bad, and they’re better when doing loader work in dry conditions.
Good luck with your tractor purchase!
Augustus Clay
You should know that some tires require different rims, so it’s best to make your final choice up front. Changing rims later can be quite costly.
