Cement Wheel Weights

Leejohn · Mar 30, 2015

Cement Wheel Weights Update

A while back a guy was trying to put some he made into his wheels, never did find out if he got them in. After seeing that post I though I would give it a shot. Here are some pictures and tomorrow night I well have some pictures of how I did it.

DT86 · Mar 30, 2015

Looks great, how much weight have you added?

pmsmechanic · Mar 30, 2015

So can you take the cement out of the rim if you need to repair or change a tire?

GPintheMitten · Mar 30, 2015

Which tractor?

Leejohn · Mar 30, 2015

Each wheel is right at 80lbs, had to take a little back out of a 80 lb mix. I have rebar in them and that is why I said right at. This is my B7800.
I got it made so it should come out if ever need to. The tire can be changed without taking it out, in most cases. The 2 holes with the paper in them are for lifting rings. I well paint them after the cement gets all set up. People say cement shrinks up after it's all set up, I guess I well find out.

RedNeckRacin · Mar 31, 2015

OP, are your tires filled or is the cement the only ballast? Do you have anything securing the cement to the wheel? I would think after a little bit that the cement would work loose and banging around inside the wheel a bit???

Leejohn · Mar 31, 2015

RedNeckRacin My tires are loaded as you can see by the new pictures how I hold them in. Don't know if they well work loose yet only time well tell.

skyhook · Apr 1, 2015

You better get those balanced too.

varmint · Apr 1, 2015

Yep, cement, or conc., will shrink, and I am curious how you will keep them attached to the wheels?

Amvcane · Apr 1, 2015

I think there is a piece of threaded rod going through the three holes and welded to the rebar. Still a lot of work for about 80 lbs.

DavesTractor · Apr 1, 2015

Rim Guard would add about 200/lbs per tire by itself, mostly because the tire would hold more cubic capacity than filling the wheel. Another 80 lbs is always good of course, but concrete is not all that heavy. It's about twice as heavy as the heavier liquid ballast mixtures. 1 cu. ft. of concrete is about 150 lbs. I cu. ft. of Rim Guard is about 80 lbs. (I know that is an odd way to measure liquids). 1 cu. ft. of cast steel is right about 500 lbs.

Looks like a job well done though, congrats. Every little bit helps when using the loader or ground engaging tools.

Leejohn · Apr 2, 2015

Amvcane said:
I think there is a piece of threaded rod going through the three holes and welded to the rebar. Still a lot of work for about 80 lbs.

Yes I welded some 1/2" bolts to the rebar and just 1st one was alot of work, second one was easy. Have you priced wheel weights? The price is unreal and maybe would of not got 80# in each wheel.
I tried it out today and with a full bucket of very wet sand and gravel the rear had a good amount of weight on them. I was able to fill the bucket and move around good without tire spin. Done it all in 2 wheel drive.

Amvcane · Apr 3, 2015

I have been looking for wheel weights for my JD318 for the past few months and you are right prices are out of hand. Got lucky and found a set of no names from the 1970's. Painted the right shade of yellow they will look great. Are your tires loaded or have you thought about loading them? It looks like you are not in an extremely harsh climate and could probably do it on the cheep. Anyway, nice form and finish work. They look great.

Leejohn · Apr 3, 2015

Yes my tires are loaded. I have some good size hills and it's almost a must to have loaded tires or wheel weights. I have around $20.00 to $25.00 in them. BTY Thanks

pigpen60 · Apr 24, 2015

i'd like to see someone do this for the front.

Leejohn · Apr 24, 2015

I'm not going to do my fronts. I well be doing my L4240 as soon as I can, but that well not be anytime soon. Working on the BX taking the 2 inline fuel filters out and putting in 1 filter with a shut off on it. I'm not crawing under that tractor evertime I have to change the filters. Also got a big boat job today.

farm boy00 · Feb 22, 2016

Re: Cement Wheel Weights Update

I seen your other thread about this too. I also see that you put something on your rims before you put the cement in. What it like a lubricant that won't let the rim seal to the rim? ?

GPintheMitten · Feb 22, 2016

Interesting.

Leejohn · Feb 22, 2016

Yes I did on the 7800 I used a old shower enclosure on the stright part and on the 4240 I used a real thin foam rubber that was used for packing. The foam rubber worked better and that gave me about 1/8" between the wheel and cement. On the 7800 I didn't tape the top edge of the liner and that might of be a mistake. I then greased it down good and then added the tubes and rebar.