Consider cast weights instead of liquid in tires

[sixdogs]

My choice is cast weights over liquid in the tires. It wasn't always that way but happened fast after I got a flat in a filled tire two miles back in the woods in rural Maine. I was on my own and it was a big event. Some people need filled tires because of severe slopes but for most of us, take a look at cast weights if you need it.

If too much, I can take some off. If too little I can add some and when I'm done forever I can sell them for what I paid. Plus, I think they feel better over filled tires. They don't ride as hard either. What's not to love? Here are a couple pics to tell my tale and remember I'm biased because I live on flat ground.









These first pics are off my JD5520. I have two rear weights on each side and they are a great counter to the loader when I pick things up. On the front I have the starter weight block. I think it's 285 lbs. I think the back ones total 500 lbs. For the front I used to add up to 800 lbs of suitcase weights for tillage things or heavy lugging but since I got away from that they haven't been on since. Those are radial tires and that adds a few hundred extra lbs.



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These next two are of my Kubota L4300. It's FWA but is light in the front end and I often pick up 1000 lbs. Without the weights, it's bouncy. Sometimes I bolt some or all on securely and sometimes I just run a threaded rod through and put nuts on. If I'm around the house I will do that and in decades have never lost a weight that was just hanging there. Oh, this is a homemade front weight bracket and NH skid steer weight knock offs. I had the weights so made it work.




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These last two are on an MX5100. Sometimes I take two off so I can hook tie-down straps for trailering. If I'm not on concrete, the weight stays on and it makes the tractor handle much better when it has a heavy implement on the back.


That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Consider cast rather than fluid but that's just my personal opinion.

 

[nybirdman]

My understanding is that cast wheel weights do offer the same counter balance as filled tires.I too have had flats with filled tires;a PITA for sure but a necessity.

 

[sixdogs]

My understanding is that cast wheel weights do offer the same counter balance as filled tires.I too have had flats with filled tires;a PITA for sure but a necessity.

My flat was on an 18.4 x 34 tire and on the other side of the property and waaay back in the woods. There were no tire service trucks where I lived and no one but me and the incessant black flies and mosquitos. Plus it was Spring and the ground was soft and muddy. I started with a 2 mile walk home.

 

[bigtiller]

I like wheel weights too. I had 5 on each side to cover the stub axle on my 3020.

 

[TerryR]

... remember I'm biased because I live on flat ground.

What's flat ground? :confused2:

Terry

 

[TripleR]

I have filled tires and cast weights. but agree if you can get by with one or the other cast weights will work well. Cost keeps a lot of people from using them more and we have only fluid on some of ours.

 

[DJ54]

We went with weights on the IH 656 back in '1990 when the new set of tires went on. We also went with 5 sets on each side. Luckily, we found a eq. jockey that had stacks of the split weights that a lot of guys don't like, and got them cheap. Since we had to put them on by hand, we love them..!! Plus the fact of no calcium to kill grass/trees, if you have a tire leaking.

 

[varmint]

The logic of using them is hard to ignore. Plus, they put the weight on the outside, giving even more stability that loaded tires would. I think they can be pricey, but I also think they would hold their value, if they can be used on more than one particular model tractor?

 

[coobie]

I got both..Filled with added weights.

 

[redman135]

Cast weighs have their place, and for me that is the front of the tractor. Cast on the back adds width and there is always some moron thinks a tractor can fit through a gap smaller than the tractor. Then they blame you for being to wide. For me, is less hassle to have liquid rear. Also I am seldom far from the road. Horses for courses.