They're loaded

[NoTrespassing]

They\'re loaded

Well, I loaded the rear tires with 30 gals. of washer fluid each. They're 17.5-24s so I'm just guessing they're about 40% full right now. Is that a pretty close guess? Is there any reason 40% would be any more harmfull to the tractor than 75% full? I figure 240lbs. / wheel is a good start and a heck of a lot better than ZERO ballast. I was able to go up my gravel driveway in 2WD for the first time without locking the differential halfway up. I was also able to go down the hill in 2WD without skidding sideways. Now all I need is a good set of chains before winter. Oh and a snowblower, blade, 6ft. rotary cutter, plug aerator, tiller, and a nice backhoe! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Guess I better buy some more lottery tickets.

Peace
Kevin

 

[DavesTractor]

Re: They\'re loaded

Your math matches mine. I show the tire would hold 55 gallons at 75%, 75 gallons at 100% (which you would never want to do) and 30 gallons at 40%.

It's amazing what a little ballast will do for a tractor.

 

[Henro]

Re: They\'re loaded

Hi,

I think I read somewhere that if a tire is only half full and the tractor is run at high speed, like on a road, that you can get sloshing and this can lead to instability.

I don't know if this is accurate or not. Seems reasonable.

I filled mine to the valve stem...but my tractor is smaller...

Curious why you only filled to 40%...

Also, less fill puts the weight below the axle and does more to lower the center of gravity. This is good on a slope. BUT if you get into trouble, and the ballest shifts to the top side, then it hurts you and contributes to the possibility of a roll over.

Just a couple things to consider. May or may not be of any use...

 

[NoTrespassing]

Re: They\'re loaded

Well I guess I only filled 40% for several reasons. 1.) I like the idea of lowering the C/G 2.) I figure if anything 480lbs. will be less wear and tear on the drivetrain than 880lbs. 3.) I didn't feel like buying 110 gals. of washer fluid. 4.) I'm a little cheap. 5.) I'm a little lazy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I can tell you it feels a lot more stable. We'll see how it feels the next time I've got some gravel to move. This tractor almost never sees high gear.

Kevin

 

[Typhoon]

Re: They\'re loaded

how do you load tires anyways? How do you get the fluid in there?

 

[chrisjbell]

Re: They\'re loaded

They make nifty little adapters that attach to the valve stems to fill tires. As I recall, about 8 bucks or so.

Also, I've heard that "sloshing" (is that really a word?) can cause instability, but I'd still think that any ballast is better than none. Can't argue with the "I'm lazy" reason, though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Since I filled my tires (after about the first 50 hours) I fill 'em about 75% (up to the valve stem at around 11 o'clock). Next set of tires will be foam filled.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: They\'re loaded

Will washer fluid cause rusting on the rims? I know plain water will. That's one reason a lot of people fill tires over the top of the rims from what I understand.

Did you fill just the rear tires or all four? Is there any problem with filling just the rears or filling all four? Does it matter whether it's 2WD or MFWD?

 

[NoTrespassing]

Re: They\'re loaded

Gary, thats a good point about the rusting issue. I've always heard that about calcium chloride. It would be interesting to see what others have to say. I only filled the rears. I've read where guys have filled the fronts too, but from what I've experienced, the front seems to be plenty heavy with the FEL. I haven't noticed it being light even with 600lbs of box scraper going uphill. Having said that, I guess I have gone up our hill in 2WD before the tires were loaded, it was with the box scraper on the back.

Typhoon, I filled em like several other guys mentioned. I used a pump that fits on a hand drill that I got at Menard's for $4.00. I jacked up the rear on one side, let the air out of the tire, removed the valve core, and pumped the fluid in. I let the pressure off every 5 gals. or so. When I had the 30 gals. in I aired the tire back up. As far as sinking in the yard, I've got mostly clay here. Unless it has just rained a whole bunch I won't sink a bit. Heck, I don't think I'd sink even if it had rained a lot. The water just seems to run off around here.

Kevin

 

[bky]

Re: They\'re loaded

thats a good point about the rusting issue. I've always heard that about calcium chloride<font color="blue"> </font>

a tub in the tire would prevent this

 

[skiprox]

Re: They\'re loaded

My dealer has said that if the tires aren't loaded 100% (with water) the oxygen remaining in the tire will rust the rims, but with them fully loaded, he hasn't experienced rusting in 20 years. Then again, we don't have multiple consecutive days of hard freezes in central Texas which could present other issues as the water freezes and expands.