Feeding Tractor in slick mud 3 rib or 4 on front?

[JW IN VA]

I've been happily running used 16 inch pickup tires on the front of my tractor. 265/75 16 is close to the 10.00-16 it came with. Get them free plus 8 ply.Since the snow melted and heavy rain,steering can be difficult and front sliding side ways is a concern.
I can get a 265/75 16 recap with a four rib tread or a 235/85 with a three rib. Both 8 or 10 ply. Tire height is roughly the same.
Will the four rib help or should I use the three? I'm not worried about the flotation as much as steering. I'll run used 265s in drier conditions and during hay making.

 

[Hogfarmer10]

Personally, I'd prefer the 3 rib in that situation. 4 seems to pack up with mud worse anyway. I've always heard 4 ribs are better for flotation, 3 get a better "bite". I've also heard 4 rib will stand up better on a loader tractor.

 

[JW IN VA]

Thank you. Don't want to hold on to it.

 

[M.Magis]

Just an FYI, if you're buying tires solely for better steering in the mud, save your money. Ribbed tires slide just the same in the mud. In dry dirt they provide some extra steering traction, but in the mud they're no different than slicks. Just have to steer with the brakes.

 

[JW IN VA]

Just an FYI, if you're buying tires solely for better steering in the mud, save your money. Ribbed tires slide just the same in the mud. In dry dirt they provide some extra steering traction, but in the mud they're no different than slicks. Just have to steer with the brakes.

Always glad to save money

 

[SBMF 2015]

I run 3 rib tires on my feeding tractor. They're better than four rib. Still have to use breaks sometimes.