Nuru,
I filled the fronts for several reasons:
-to maintain proper weight distribution when carying or pulling an implement because I have 4 wheel drive and want to get as much traction as possible with the fronts.
-for more tire stability (reduced flattening) under loads of heavy FEL work
-for more over-all stability, rigidity and less "bounce" during all operations and working on slopes.
-for overall added weight to the tractor thus less bearing load on axles as opposed to "hanging" extra weight on the tractor for the same reasons.
I used a tractor ballast guide
Ballast guide to help attain proper weight distribution. The guide refers to ballasted weight (static) but I figure the theory should still apply when filling tires...I know it's a little different than hanging weight on, but weight is weight and benefits from adding weight should be along the same line. There's also a section that tells you how to determine what proper traction is and how to achieve it.
Regardless how you do it, the whole idea behind adding weight is to acheive traction and balance.
There's an interesting example of adding 100lbs in front of the axle.
"Adding ballast to the bracket on the front of a tractor reduces the weight on the rear axle. For example, adding 100 pounds on the front increases total tractor weight by 100 pounds but may increase the weight on the front axle by 150 pounds and reduce the weight on the rear axle by 50 pounds."
Table 1. Front and rear weight distribution.
Tractor design / Implement type Front Rear
Two-wheel drive / Trailing implement 25% 75%
Two-wheel drive / Semi-mounted implement 30% 70%
Two-wheel drive / Mounted implement 35% 65%
Front-wheel assist / Trailing implement 40% 60%
Front-wheel assist / Mounted implement 45% 55%
Four-wheel drive / Trailing implement 55% 45%
Four-wheel drive / Mounted implement 60% 40%
It's obvious many will dispute front tire filling for fear of hurting the front gear drive train, but I doubt many will dispute the advantages gained by having more front wheel drive traction that is desired and beneficial when working the tractor. Personally, I use the heck out of my 4 wheel drive option...I'm in 4 wheel drive all the time. I have it so why not use it to it's fullest extent? To me, it's much like a buddy who buys a brand new truck but doesn't want to load anything it or take it hunting for fear of scratching it?
I WANT to use it. If it breaks... well then it breaks and I'll fix it....that's just me. Filling the fronts gives me that much more traction (undesputible) and also for the reasons stated above.
