1460 poor traction, gets stuck easy

[m5040]

Well I started a job on a fairly steep hill and was very disappointed in how easily the 1460 spun the wheels and soon couldn't move up the hill. Went to get a tractor with a log winch and ran out of fuel, gage doesn't go below 1/4, guess it was one of those days.
Anyway when I got the 1460 back into the shop, I checked the tire pressure. 12x16.5, 10 ply with 40 psi and a 5,500 lb load rating. So one tire could carry the complete tractor.
I took out the valve core on a rear tire, as they have the most load when the loader is empty, and watched for sidewall bulge. When I thought it looked good, I put the core back in and measure 8 psi. Far cry from 40.
I went and got a 2,000 lb weight and did the same with the front, found they looked good at 15 psi.
Tried the 1460 back at the hill and it was a completely different tractor. Did the whole job without getting stuck and it rides better now too.
Why they send them out with 40 psi is beyond me.

 

[SpringHollow]

I believe for the 1850, they recommend 8 - 10 on the rears and 12 - 20 on the fronts.

 

[m5040]

Good, that is in the range I thought, except for the 10 ply tires. As the air was coming out and the pitch was slowing, I started to wonder if the tires would squat if they had no air, but they eventually did.

 

[MossRoad]

My guess is they over-inflated the tires to seat them on the rims and that's that.

 

[ponytug]

Thanks for posting this!

Can you post a photo of "good" squat?

Thanks.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

"Can you post a photo of "good" squat?"

I looked and it is hardly noticeable and would not show well in a picture. If your tires are over inflated, I would take the valve core out and just watch close as it deflates, when you see any bulge, put the valve core back in and measure what you ended up with. If you ever see pulling tractors and how low they air them down it would give you some reference. That is an extreme and some have the tires screwed to the rim so it doesn't spin in the rim.
If you have a maxed out load on the front and the tractor rolling along, you should see the tire squatting noticeably and if I had to quantify it, maybe 1/2" wider then the unloaded portion (when fully loaded).
Hope this helps

 

[ponytug]

That helps. Thanks! I barely see the 1/2" on mine, but they are also loader tires.

All the best, Peter

 

[m5040]

IMO Loader or loaded tires, you would still want the tire to flex to match the ground contour. Mine are loader tires too, with 40 psi you could drive over a baseball and the tire wouldn't deform.

 

[5030]

Probably the wrong tires. I run R1 radials on both mine, cast weights on the rear not loaded. Don't believe in loaded tires.

 

[m5040]

Probably the wrong tires. I run R1 radials on both mine, cast weights on the rear not loaded. Don't believe in loaded tires.

Thanks for the suggestion. I would love radial tires, but until they come with them from the factory, I don't think I will wear out the originals. My problem was severely over inflated tires, problem corrected and it works like it should. Power Trac has the engine in the back so it doesn't need any added weight. Unless you see a FREE ad on Facebook and need to have it. But when I get home I ask why?
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