Is Full Time Use of 4WD a Problem?

[batwing]

Waxman is being overly generous saying that I answered any questions in regards to this subject. Heheheheheh.


Since this subject has been touched on several times,,,, I'll open a new can of worms.

In regards to rear ballast. It's been stated that by adding weight on the 3pt you can reduce the load on the front axle. I say only under specific conditions is this true. (Can't believe I'm sticking my head in this noose)

Here's one scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that is raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast to the point the rear tires now have weight on them. Did I reduce the load on the front axle??? Only if the 3pt weight exceeds the weight currently displayed on the rear tires. If the 3pt weight is less than the current weight on the rear tires I only added to the load on the front axle.

Here's a second scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that is raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast, but the rear tires are still in the air. Did I reduce the load on the front axle. Not at all. Actually I raised the load on the front axle. Now the front axle has to fulcrum the previous load plus the added weight on the 3pt. I only increased the stress on the front axle and it's components.

Here's a third scenario. I've got a load on the FEL that doesn't even come close to raising the rear tires off the ground. I add 3pt ballast. Did I reduce the load on the front axle. Yes I did. I created the fulcrum action talked about earlier. Now the 3pt weight is offsetting the weight on the front axle,,,, using the rear axle as a fulcrum.

Okay ladies,,,,, discuss away..... But think before you reply... :laughing:

(Great Job) Ok, how about when you try to back up and the rear wheels come off the ground??

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, our posts crossed.. I edited my original query.

Sorry James, I should have looked up before I responded.

Okay, it's us Missourians against the World!!!

 

[TomSeller]

The farther out away from the back axe the 3 pt load is, the better as well. Big heavy brush hugs are nice for this.

 

[ovrszd]

(Great Job) Ok, how about when you try to back up and the rear wheels come off the ground??

See now, that was talked about earlier, I think by Bluegill, everything changes when you do that because the rotational forces reverse. That's why drag cars have traction bars to hold the front of the axle down and not the rear of the axle.

In that scenario, the more ballast you throw on the rear of the tractor the more weight that is being carried by the front axle.

Sidetrack,,,,, that's why I don't like to use 3pt ballast unless I need it. In certain conditions it does nothing but put more stress on the front axle. Such as backing up a hill. If it's not needed, don't use it.

 

[ovrszd]

The farther out away from the back axe the 3 pt load is, the better as well. Big heavy brush hugs are nice for this.

Yep, now we are gonna get geometric (is that a word)....

 

[k0ua]

Sorry James, I should have looked up before I responded.

Okay, it's us Missourians against the World!!!

Hey, we got your back Richard.:thumbsup:

 

[/pine]

I've learned a heck of lot reading the threads on TBN...and one of those things I've learned is that...there is a lot of TBN members that just can't let things go...!

cheers...!

 

[LD1]

Koua and ovrszd:

What you are saying is the same thing I have said many times.

Adding weight behind the rear is no guarantee to lessen the load on the front. If graphed, it would be an arc. Where adding rear weight increases the load the front may see. Up to a point. Then it starts coming back down.

With no ballast, the rears lift and all the weight of the load and tractor is on the front.

Add 200# ballast, and now all the weight + the 200# + whatever additional you can lift cause of the ballast...is all on the front.

Up until the point till the rears stay planted. Then the arc of the graph starts coming back down.

 

[dragoneggs]

Koua and ovrszd:

What you are saying is the same thing I have said many times.

Adding weight behind the rear is no guarantee to lessen the load on the front. If graphed, it would be an arc. Where adding rear weight increases the load the front may see. Up to a point. Then it starts coming back down.

With no ballast, the rears lift and all the weight of the load and tractor is on the front.

Add 200# ballast, and now all the weight + the 200# + whatever additional you can lift cause of the ballast...is all on the front.

Up until the point till the rears stay planted. Then the arc of the graph starts coming back down.

Yep... welcome to engineering statics. Once we all get a grasp on loads and reaction points (vectors) and free body diagrams, we can move on to dynamics!

 

[TexasBoy]

Koua and ovrszd:

What you are saying is the same thing I have said many times.

Adding weight behind the rear is no guarantee to lessen the load on the front. If graphed, it would be an arc. Where adding rear weight increases the load the front may see. Up to a point. Then it starts coming back down.

With no ballast, the rears lift and all the weight of the load and tractor is on the front.

Add 200# ballast, and now all the weight + the 200# + whatever additional you can lift cause of the ballast...is all on the front.

Up until the point till the rears stay planted. Then the arc of the graph starts coming back down.

So I guess the lesson is, if you are gonna use rear ballast, use enough to get meet the potential front load, otherwise you really arent helping things.

Correct?