Traction BX front ballast?

[corey9212]

My 2660 has a snowblower on the front and has a three point bale spear on the back and I am using it to move around large square bales (1000-1200 lbs each) the three point lifts them with ease and the tractor doesn't even know they are on there even at low rpm's.

But the snowblower isn't enough counter weight for the bale and the front tires lift off the ground just enough to lose traction, I do this a couple times per week and it's a massive pain in the rear to take off the snowblower and quick attach ten put the mounting bracket on then the weights move a couple bales and then reverse the process to put the blower back on.

Getting another tractor is out of the question at the moment, I do know the manual says not to do it but the kubota mechanic said it would be ok. I don't do very much FEL work, most work is done off of the three point hitch.

So giving the issue is it ok to put liquid ballast in the front tires to give it that little bit extra front weight?

 

[chucko]

How much water/weight do you think that would add? They are kind of small tires right?

 

[radioman]

tires are 18-8.5 so I am going to guess it holds about 11 gallons. if rimguard is 11lbs per gallon so it would come out to ~121 lbs.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

@corey9212, I can't contribute much except to say I feel your pain.

The whole loader, grille guard, weight bracket, weight hassle on my '24 is a pain.

Z.

 

[corey9212]

I was told about $40 to fill both and would add about 50 lbs/tire. I don't need much more as long as I got something on the front my worry is strain on the axle and steering.

 

[newdeal]

The loader is far heavier than the blower is, especially if you fill it with dirt. Plus it sticks further forward and doesnt cut into your ground clearance like the quick htich for the blower does.

 

[newdeal]

I was told about $40 to fill both and would add about 50 lbs/tire. I don't need much more as long as I got something on the front my worry is strain on the axle and steering.

I highly doubt 50 pounds per tire. As i recall the manual states the rear tires loader only add 80-100 pounds per tire and the rears are way bigger than the fronts. I wouldnt be surprised if the fronts would only take 3 gallons which would be around 25 pounds per tire i think

 

[corey9212]

The loader is far heavier than the blower is, especially if you fill it with dirt. Plus it sticks further forward and doesnt cut into your ground clearance like the quick htich for the blower does.

Yeah I have considered that but I only use my FEL twice per year and the rest of the time it sits in the garage.

I highly doubt 50 pounds per tire. As i recall the manual states the rear tires loader only add 80-100 pounds per tire and the rears are way bigger than the fronts. I wouldnt be surprised if the fronts would only take 3 gallons which would be around 25 pounds per tire i think

I thought it was a little on the heavy side too, my manual says the rears min is 99 lbs and max is 123 lbs. seeing as how it says to only add 75% of full capacity I imagine it would be the same for the fronts.

 

[corey9212]

I'm getting my tires back today and will post how much weight is put in but am wandering what psi do I air them up to? Do I keep them at 22psi like before or do I have to increase or decrease the psi? Also do I need a special air gauge to use to check filled tires?

 

[radioman]

yup - you need tire/water gauge. TSC has them for 6 bucks. you can tell its made for liquid ballast as it has a ball at thee end of plastic part. most pencil type gauges is square or flat end.

I tried to use to spec pressure and found them TOOO stiff of a ride so I went 10lbs under on the rears. The front might be different though.