4WD tractor, tires vs tracks, good and bad

[furrowtickler]

Shed antlers are the big tire nemesis. Can happen when they are brand new.
If there is somewhere that can vulcanize repairs it whould be good to know before you need them.

We had a cultivator shovel stuck in one of the triples a few years ago . They came out and patched er up .
We have been lucky , have never had an antler in any tire ever. The tire shop guy says not really an issue any more, they can repair effectively now in field

[4GFarms]

Would be leaning towards tires because of the initial upfront cost of tracks compared to tires. What is better between triples (520 to 650) or duals (710-800)?

[Quadtrack]

If you farm in an area with lots of deer, the appeal of cool looking LSW tires would wear off really quick. Sure some punctures can be repaired but some can’t. And picking up a shed in the field is like hitting a deer on the highway-it’s going to happen.
We have two track units and one on tires. The maintenance of tracks is not as daunting as gets talked about. One has 3500 hrs and other than 1 bogie seal, have only done oil changes in the wheels.
Tracks pull with near zero slip and also provide superior floatation in wet conditions. A heavy weighted wheel tractor might pull thru mud better but digs trenches while doing so.
Prior to putting track units in front of the drill, you could always see the tractor wheel tracks in the crop when seeding in wet conditions. When it’s dry less noticeable.
All things considered, I will not use anything but tracks to pull air drills. Lots of other jobs it matters less IMO. Not a chance we would ever go LSW.

[edl]

I have run duals , triples and tracks . All have advantages and disadvantages IMO
Our next update will be these ...


From most data I have seen a properly weighted tractor with 1400’s will pull as good or better than tracks , way less maintenance, cost between regular tires and tracks . Superior ride over both in field and road ... they say .
Unless you have big hills , then tracks probably slightly better .

We have a 535 with triples and it pulls very well and goes through a lot if need be .
But it is very wide and can be a rough ride on coulter harrows at 12 - 14 mph.

In some areas you would have a deer horn in tire like this several times a year.

[furrowtickler]

In some areas you would have a deer horn in tire like this several times a year.

Absolutely, but many areas don’t . We have never had a deer horn tire injury in this area . Maybe just lucky

[LEP]

Tracks hands down. If you get stuck you don’t dig a hole. Never had a flat in 2000 hrs. Ha. Only done a couple seals and changed oils.

However have picked up a shed in a 600. In the face out the sidewall. Needed replacement. Spent more on that in the first 300 hrs on having the tractor than in several years of tracks.

[Guest]

first 10 hours , new tires, was fixable though