Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction?

   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #81  
We have one member here who preaches the gospel of weight: Tractor Sizing - TRACTOR WEIGHT as ONE (1) CRITERION in TRACTOR SELECTION

My question is why aren't other alternatives being considered by the industry like this one:
My neighbor has a favorite saying - "no substitute for American cast iron". He has two New Holland compacts, with as much or more horsepower than my old IH farm tractor. But mine weighs twice what his does, and I have had to pull him out more than a couple of times. So I am on board with the weight being the most important factor. In snow and ice, chains of course are significant. We use my tractor to skid firewood logs, as he can't really accomplish much with his new machines in the woods, even with chains.

Tim
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #82  
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #83  
There are only two things that govern tractive force - coefficient of friction and the force between the surfaces (weight).

Changing the tire design changes the coefficient of friction.
The coefficient of friction (cf) would be highest in most cases if all tires could be lugged with chains- steel on hard surface, steel on ice, soil on soil. Reducing damage to the surfaces then becomes a concern.

Changing the weight changes the tractive force developed for a given cf.
So if the surfaces are what they are, and tires are a compromise between traction and damage, weight is the last variable, and the easiest to change, especially when choosing eq.
Exactly. However, steel chains actually reduce traction on pavement. They are best at improving traction on ice. Not sure what they do on mud.
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #84  
Gonna be hard to load those...;)
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #85  
My neighbor has a favorite saying - "no substitute for American cast iron". He has two New Holland compacts, with as much or more horsepower than my old IH farm tractor. But mine weighs twice what his does, and I have had to pull him out more than a couple of times. So I am on board with the weight being the most important factor. In snow and ice, chains of course are significant. We use my tractor to skid firewood logs, as he can't really accomplish much with his new machines in the woods, even with chains.

Tim
Power has a big impact on ability to run rotary equipment such as mowers and rototillers. But weight determines how much you can pull, unless you do not have enough power to pull even in low gear.
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #86  
Weight is one way to improve traction. 4WD is another. Chains is a third way. I have/do utilize all three. I hate chains. I've only ever had the ladder type chains. They do provide superior traction - they ride like a COB. I no longer use chains. If I were to go back to their use - the European style would be my choice.
Ladder chains.. Bronco busting. I bought Trygg -Nosted Multi Flex chains for winter snowblowing. Less bounce on roads not perfect but much better than the ladder style.
 
Last edited:
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #87  
I know zip about tractors, but as a lifelong builder and just generally that kind of guy, it seems if you're using a tool (tractor) to lift or move heavy things, you need a heavy counterbalance. Whether that be a heavy tractor itself or just ballast.......right?
Counterbalance using the rear axle as the fulcrum. It takes weight off the weaker front axles of the AG tractors. Weighted tires won't help in this case, you need weight hanging off the 3pt hitch. Then be careful when FEL is empty.
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #88  
They appear to be a wonderful innovation, especially for paved or smooth surfaces. I don't believe they'd have much gripping power in the dirt. Weight is not the only criteria for improving traction, the amount of tread on the tire or the addition of chains can be another factor. Weight is probably the simplest and least expensive way to improve tractor traction.
I have them on my RTV and use them totally off-road. Bought them because of constant flats as I am reclaiming overgrown farmland. They have great traction because the bottoms essentially torn into tracks, and they are tough.
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #89  
There are only two things that govern tractive force - coefficient of friction and the force between the surfaces (weight).

Changing the tire design changes the coefficient of friction.
The coefficient of friction (cf) would be highest in most cases if all tires could be lugged with chains- steel on hard surface, steel on ice, soil on soil. Reducing damage to the surfaces then becomes a concern.

Changing the weight changes the tractive force developed for a given cf.
So if the surfaces are what they are, and tires are a compromise between traction and damage, weight is the last variable, and the easiest to change, especially when choosing eq.
When I was learning to drive standard shift cars in slippery conditions around 55 years ago, I was taught to start off slowly in the highest gear that wouldn’t stall the engine. The theory being the piston stroke would be longer and smoother at the drive wheels, it usually proved true for me and I think the hst drive helps to provide the same effect.
 
   / Why is Weight The Only Solution Being Offered To The Problem Of Traction? #90  
There are only two things that govern tractive force - coefficient of friction and the force between the surfaces (weight).

Changing the tire design changes the coefficient of friction.
The coefficient of friction (cf) would be highest in most cases if all tires could be lugged with chains- steel on hard surface, steel on ice, soil on soil. Reducing damage to the surfaces then becomes a concern.

Changing the weight changes the tractive force developed for a given cf.
So if the surfaces are what they are, and tires are a compromise between traction and damage, weight is the last variable, and the easiest to change, especially when choosing eq.
False. Coefficient if friction times normal force is one factor and dominant for flat-on-flat surfaces. When you have aggressive tread, you have to factor in the load path and essentially how mechanically locked up the tread is with the surface you are driving against. At the limit, it could be like a cog railway where the tread is interlocked with the driving surface and the force you can apply is basically limited by engine torque.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2024 CTN 40' High Cube Container (A36337)
2024 CTN 40' High...
John Deere 2112C Soil Scraper (A36338)
John Deere 2112C...
2014 JLG 10-55A Turbo Forward Reach Forklift, (A35430)
2014 JLG 10-55A...
King Kutter L60 Mower (A34127)
King Kutter L60...
Allen Pro900 Power Trowel (A36337)
Allen Pro900 Power...
Unused 2024 7FT Work Bench with 20 Drawers (A36338)
Unused 2024 7FT...
 
Top