Ballast question; John Deere 5055E;

[Stonewall Cardinal]

I am trying to determine the proper rear ballast for my 5055E. I have a 520M loader that has a max lift of over 3k lbs. I want to lift at least a ton and trying to determine rear ballast. The manual for the loader shows two options for a cab tractor and one option for OOS. I have an OOS. The two for cab are: (1) 2094lbs on the 3pt hitch plus 441 lbs on the rear axle; or (2) 2315 lbs on the 3 point. The one option for OOS is 2094 lbs on the 3 point plus 1213 lbs on the rear axle.
My questions are: Why are there two options for the cab tractor and only one for OOS? And does the number on the rear axle include or exclude the weight of the tractor itself on the rear axle?

Relevant page of loader manual attached for reference.

Thanks in advance. I'm just not sure how to read this information.

 

[kneedeep]

I always loaded the rears with water. To prevent rust in the last ones, I used drill lube. Got it in a 5 gal bucket and got it thinned enough to pump half a bucket in both tires.
Plan to remove the calcium in other tractor and add the drill lube, some day.
Here is a chart that might help.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/farm-management/structures-and-mechanization/200-series/210104-1_calcium-water_table_for_tractor_tires.pdf

 

[Seven Gables]

I am trying to determine the proper rear ballast for my 5055E. I have a 520M loader that has a max lift of over 3k lbs. I want to lift at least a ton and trying to determine rear ballast. The manual for the loader shows two options for a cab tractor and one option for OOS. I have an OOS. The two for cab are: (1) 2094lbs on the 3pt hitch plus 441 lbs on the rear axle; or (2) 2315 lbs on the 3 point. The one option for OOS is 2094 lbs on the 3 point plus 1213 lbs on the rear axle.
My questions are: Why are there two options for the cab tractor and only one for OOS? And does the number on the rear axle include or exclude the weight of the tractor itself on the rear axle?

Relevant page of loader manual attached for reference.

Thanks in advance. I'm just not sure how to read this information.

It excludes the tractor weight on rear axle. JD wants you to load the rear tires on the OOS because it doesn’t have the built in cab weight.
I have a 5085e with 540m loader . I’m using 2 wheel weights per side and about 1700lbs on 3 pt hitch, no liquid in tires. I find it’s plenty for my uses however the longer wheelbase and increased weight of the 5085e over the 5075e is big factor.
I think you should heed the jd recommendation and load the tires along with about a ton on your 3 pt hitch.

 

[oosik]

I have 1550 pound of RimGuard in the rear tires plus a 1000 pound Rhino rear blade on the 3-point. There are still a few times I get "light in the loafers" when lifting a really heavy load.

My lift limit - 3200 pound. My comfort level - around 2700 to 2800 pounds.

 

[LD1]

Yup, Id follow JD recommendations.

I would definitely load the tires cause I doubt you bought a tractor that size to keep it light for "yard" work. Loading will help with traction and stability whether you have loader on of off.

As far as the hitch....you can reduce that weigh if you have a heavy implement. Meaning an attachment that hangs back a ways is gonna be equally effective with less weight due to leverage.

A 1500# 7' bushhog would likely be just as good as 2200-2300# of weights on a bar or in a box that is much closer to the rear