Loading the rear tires is good to add stability to the tractor but it is not enough weight when you are using the loader. If you are just lifting light loads on a level surface just the loaded tires might be enough but anything more than that you need more weight. With the backhoe on my
BX23 I think it feels well balanced when doing FEL work - and that is about 600 pounds. With the box blade on the back it feels good too and that is about 500 pounds. The rear blade is about 270 and I don't think it feels as stable.
If you are going to load the rear tires there are 6 options as far as I know:
- water - cheap but freezes if you get temps that low, also does not add as much weight as other options
- antifreeze - pretty cheap but is poisonous if it leaks and is not as dense as other options - freezing is not a problem
- windshield washer fluid - again pretty cheap but probably less dense than water (there is alchohol in many washer fluids) and can be poisonous. Also prone to freezing if temp gets low enough
- calcium chloride - doesn't freeze but will rust steel rims, poisonous if it leaks and is more expensive than previous options. Adds more weight because it is denser
- beet juice or Rimguard - not poisonous if it leaks, can be somewhat expensive, high density so it adds more weight than other options, not prone to freezing except at extreme low temps, will not rust rims. This is what I put in my
BX23.
- foam fill - doesn't leak, can be expensive, prevents flats, can't be removed once inserted into to tire, tires have to be cut off rims.
I would load the tires and add weight on the back when using the FEL.
