Filled tires or wheel weights?

[Builder]

Looking for pros/cons of each. Want to stabilize the tractor more.

Filled tires are great, but I can't help think they're chewing up the insides of the rims and then there's flats and subsequent loss of fluid. How about "foam". What does filling tires with fluid do to ride quality?

I like wheel weights because they can be removed, but probably more expensive and I'm leaning that way.

Thoughts?

[SPYDERLK]

Too bad its PA vs NC or South or id suggest water. Do you park your tractor indoors? Filled tires offer an advantage in stability due the increased compression ratio in the tire - the tire deflects less in response to load change. Tractor feels more locked to the ground with only slight change in ride -- subjectively better. If you can use water you can tailor it at whim.
larry

[Jeepnford]

I don't know which is better but after having to remove a tire to add a remote to my DX35 I decided to try to avoid fluid. I can handle the tire empty but if it was full of fluid there is no way I could. If I find I need weight I'm going iron.

[Adiredneck]

I have filled tires with Rim Guard, but want more. I need the TPH free for towing my wood trailer & for skidding logs, so a ballast box is out of the question.

I checked a Kubota dealer last week for wheel weights. Kubota parts guys says I can get (3) 65# weights on each wheel, for the low, low price of $164.00 each.

No Thanks.

I'm thinking of looking for some olympic-type weights & making a spindle for them on my wheels.

I also thought of using the 1st section of a steel barrell & filling it with concrete & leaving some studs in the concrete to fit the wheel weight holes on my wheels.

I didn't ask the dealer if the $164 included shipping. I don't even want to know.

[Builder]

What's the cost for rim guard? How is it installed?

[jk96]

I thought about weights as well so they could be removed. I ended up filling the tires and am happy I did. Tractor feels like its "stuck" to the ground now. Ride is the same to slightly better. Soil compaction is slightly worse but not much. Most tasks including loader work can now be accomplished in 2wd instead of 4wd. I'm very happy so far. Would go the filled route again if given a choice. Tractor is a DX45.

[Builder]

I thought about weights as well so they could be removed. I ended up filling the tires and am happy I did. Tractor feels like its "stuck" to the ground now. Ride is the same to slightly better. Soil compaction is slightly worse but not much. Most tasks including loader work can now be accomplished in 2wd instead of 4wd. I'm very happy so far. Would go the filled route again if given a choice. Tractor is a DX45.

Great feedback-thanks.

What's involved in getting it done? What did you use to fill them? Cost?

[zzvyb6]

Wheel weights add rotary inertia to the driveline and will cost you extra clutch and brake wear. They are harder on a HST as there is a tendency to go quickly from forward to reverse, etc. The fluid adds weight but not that much extra inertia (it stays put within the tire during initial rollout). I've used both, prefer the iron cause its easier to change the wheel arrangements around. A loaded tire being swapped can get out of control and kill you if it falls on you.

[Builder]

Wheel weights add rotary inertia to the driveline and will cost you extra clutch and brake wear. They are harder on a HST as there is a tendency to go quickly from forward to reverse, etc. The fluid adds weight but not that much extra inertia (it stays put within the tire during initial rollout). I've used both, prefer the iron cause its easier to change the wheel arrangements around. A loaded tire being swapped can get out of control and kill you if it falls on you.

Great info. I haven't had the need for filled tires because every CUT I've owned up until now has haad a backhoe hanging off the back of it.

I won't be changing the wheel arrangement so fluid won't hurt me there.

[MtnViewRanch]

Rim Guard is big $$$$, but is very heavy. Goes in like any fluid, through the valve stem. I agree with SPYDERLK about fluid in the tires. The ride feels better to me, handles weight from the loader better and almost feels like you're stuck to the ground. Now the stuck feeling went away for me after I got use to it. But far better than no weight at all. I have 4 sets of wheel weights on now and 2 more sets that need to go on. I had tried wheel weights first and it just was not enough weight for me, put fluid in along with the wheel weights and oh what a difference.

Just my experience and what has worked for me, yours may be different.