Wheel weights

[crazyal]

Anyone ever think about making wheel weights out of sheet metal and cement? I was thinking that if I made two circles out of 1/8" plate. By drilling holes that are the same as the wheel where the weights bolt on simple threaded rod could be used to bolt the 1/8" plate to the wheel and it could extend into the area to be filled with cement to reinforce the cement. I could cut up an old 55 gallon drum to make the outside of the form.

To fit my wheels with some clearance around the outside the weight would need to be 10" thick, half would be a diameter of 20" while the other half would be 14". If I leave an 8" hole in the center I can get to the lug nuts.

If I remember correctly an 80 lb bag of cement is .6 cubit feet. If I've done my math right each weight would be 3.34 cubit feet and when filled would weigh approx 400+ lbs.

Well, do my numbers add up?

This is not a great image but it's close. The blue lines would be the threaded rod. The lightest orange would be the 55 gallon drum shrunk down to 20" and 14". The medium orange would be the the 1/8" plate while the dark orange would be the inner 8" hole to access the lug nuts.

 

[Wolfy]

I tried to make concrete weights and got awful results. On two different pairs. Not saying you can't do it. But it's harder than it looks.

 

[crazyal]

I got home where I have access to a real calculator and I think the one I was using squared after multiplying the radius and pi so I think my volumes are off by quite a bit.

 

[crash325]

I'm pretty sure it can be done.:thumbdown:

But is a bad idea, everything will be out of balance and stick out too far. :2cents:

 

[easygo]

:thumbdown:

But is a bad idea, everything will be out of balance... :2cents:

:confused2::confused2::confused2::confused2::confused2:

I think you should give some details on that particular opinion. What exactly will be out of balance and what will undo said balance?

Or all those companies for all those years have been "putting tractors out of balance" by installing wheel weights and loading tires?

I for one think it can be done and I will post some pics later how I did it. Concrete is a light material unless you have lots of space like when making a ballast for the 3ph. I used gym weights but I would be better off having plate custom cut-to-fit. that is too much $$$

 

[crash325]

:confused2::confused2::confused2::confused2::confused2:

I think you should give some details on that particular opinion. What exactly will be out of balance and what will undo said balance?

Or all those companies for all those years have been "putting tractors out of balance" by installing wheel weights and loading tires?

I for one think it can be done and I will post some pics later how I did it. Concrete is a light material unless you have lots of space like when making a ballast for the 3ph. I used gym weights but I would be better off having plate custom cut-to-fit. that is too much $$$

Wheel weights themselves are not a bad idea, nor do they unbalance the wheels.
Home made Cement wheel weights will be nearly impossible to center, balance and keep straight. What ever the weight 200 / 400 pounds? not in balance bolted to the wheels or axle in not good for the the tractor. 1/8" Steel plate is far to thin and will soon bend or rip out.

Big difference between Static weight (ballast box) and a rotating weight.

Loaded or filled tires is another whole story and he didn't ask about that.

 

[High Compression]

Probably 30 year ago, my Dad got a hold of a couple of lead ingots. He found a mold that fit perfect in his wheels. Made a little blast furnace and commenced to foundry a couple of lead wheel weights. I don't remember how much they weighed but I know the current owner of the tractor and weights still has them in use today.

On a different note, I'm a fan of "RimGuard". I have it in both tractors and my zero turn now. It' weights 11 1/2- 12 lbs per gal. and won't corrode your wheels cuz it's beet juice. In my bigger tractor it added over 700lbs of weight. U can't get that with concrete weights. Not enough volume.

 

[Kernopelli]

I remember one of the TBN members made some nice weights a few years ago. I think this was them. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/106373-little-concrete-wheel-weight-project.html

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Wheel weights themselves are not a bad idea, nor do they unbalance the wheels.
Home made Cement wheel weights will be nearly impossible to center, balance and keep straight. What ever the weight 200 / 400 pounds? not in balance bolted to the wheels or axle in not good for the the tractor. 1/8" Steel plate is far to thin and will soon bend or rip out.

Big difference between Static weight (ballast box) and a rotating weight.

Loaded or filled tires is another whole story and he didn't ask about that.

I dont think it would be an issue...City here has a fairly new CAT Challenger with a boom ditch mower and the LH wheel has a "Factory" Cement wheel weight which pretty much fills the rim 98%...

 

[crash325]

I dont think it would be an issue...City here has a fairly new CAT Challenger with a boom ditch mower and the LH wheel has a "Factory" Cement wheel weight which pretty much fills the rim 98%...

" "Factory" Cement wheel weight" End of story.