4WD tractor, tires vs tracks, good and bad

[4GFarms]

Looking to upgrade our 4WD. What does everyone run and what do you like dislike about your 4WD? We are not one brand only so will be looking at all kinds. Tracks vs tires, only have experience with tires but would look at tracks. Any opinions would be helpful.

[furrowtickler]

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.

[RD414]

We have big hills and the quad tracks win hands down over duals or triples. Twin tracks pull good going straight but are done when you try turning. Used quads will get a little harder to get because the big guys are switching to the big singles like Furrow said. And we still refuse anything with Goodyear tires.

[4GFarms]

Thanks furrow, can only imagine what replacing a 1400 tire would cost. Maybe you can upgrade from your versatile to one of those and then sell me your versatile 😜
I would like the tracks for how narrow they are compared to triples. Tracks do demand a premium compared to tires. Don’t see too many triples and probably won’t be going much faster than 8-10 in the field. Triple might be a pain on a grain cart also.

[furrowtickler]

Thanks furrow, can only imagine what replacing a 1400 tire would cost. Maybe you can upgrade from your versatile to one of those and then sell me your versatile 😜
I would like the tracks for how narrow they are compared to triples. Tracks do demand a premium compared to tires. Don’t see too many triples and probably won’t be going much faster than 8-10 in the field. Triple might be a pain on a grain cart also.

That Versy will be the one we put the big singles on when the time comes .

Will probably get a longer life from the 1400’s then a set of tracks and have near zero maintenance if keeping for a long time as we generally will do with tractors
The ole 9270 we bought new is over 12,000 hours now

[GDR]

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.

wow those are quite the tires, wonder what kinda air pressure they would run? Kinda wonder if they would bounce or power hop worse? Better in the mud I bet.

[jdg364]

We have tracks and tires.. if you have hills go the track route but be prepared for the higher cost upfront and maintenance costs.

Our most recent tractor we chose to put on 800 LSW’s and they seem decent. They are an improvement over the old 800r38’s. I like that I don’t have to worry about idler bearings, alignment issues and defacing boggie wheels.

[Highlander]

When pulling heavy loads on loose soil the 1400 Lsw’s don’t perform like the tracks. Dealer told me of instances where tires come off the bead on the rim when trying to get max power to the ground. Trials were done on caseih 620. Nice for road travel but prefer the tractor to perform to its potential in the field.
Have put 7000 hrs on one set of tracks with minimal expense. Bogy wheel seals fail at times but new improved seal eliminated the problem. We run 3 620s and 1 600 and all have been rock solid. High speed work on the grain cart is probably biggest detriment

[furrowtickler]

If you can afford the up front costs , tracks are great , but for an all around slightly more affordable unit for seeding , higher speed harrowing , pro till or grain cart I like the idea of the 1400’s . But I have no experience with them , just think more from an affordable angle than tracks .

[shtferbrains]

If you can afford the up front costs , tracks are great , but for an all around slightly more affordable unit for seeding , higher speed harrowing , pro till or grain cart I like the idea of the 1400’s . But I have no experience with them , just think more from an affordable angle than tracks .

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.

[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