Filled my rears. WOW

[b73]

Finally had time to fill the rear tires and use the tractor.What a difference!I read someone's post on here saying it was like getting a new tractor.That sounded far fetched but now I agree.I also see now how you could break something if not careful.
Worked so good I'm gonna fill the fronts just because.

 

[weedpharma]

I recall reading something about NOT loading front tyres. Can't recall why.

Weedpharma

 

[ber72564]

I filled my Fronts and Rears with Rim Guard. Approx 220 lbs total. I have many hills and side mowing. The tractor is Rock Solid now. I have no problem allowing my son or wife mow the hills. Also when using to pull 2-4 inch shrub stumps, no slippage. Just makes sense to put the weight on the ground below the center of gravity as opposed to above the axle, or having to mess with wheel weights. Can add wheel weights in the future if more needed.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

All four tires are filled on both my 75hp and 32hp tractor. Keep in mind that loading the fronts only gets you more traction and better tire characteristics for loader use. It does not help out with stability.

 

[ber72564]

It sure seems having the extra weight in the fronts is keeping the front solid and controllable when traversing significant grade hills up, down and sideways. But mine is just a small 24HP L&G tractor not a serious tractor tractor.

 

[TripleR]

The pivoting front axle really keeps the weight from affecting stability very much. I was filling washouts yesterday and the front end remained level in spite of one front wheel or the other dropping into a hole I was filling or packing. I use to feel otherwise and I know some tractors are different, but on mine, I see no increased stability to be gained; maybe I'm wrong...

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah Larry, this is a much debated subject. I think the results vary greatly depending on the tractor in question. I only load the rears. With the FEL on the M9540 I certainly don't need any extra weight up front. When mowing with the JD2210 I want the rear tires to remain on the ground if crossing something that maxes out the front axle oscillation.

For me, only time I would benefit from loaded fronts is when carrying my 3pt mounted 10' brush cutter on the M9540 with no FEL.

My Brother's L3240 has fronts loaded. Remove FEL and carry 6' brush cutter, see improvement. Put FEL back on and see none.

 

[TripleR]

Richard, my 5740 is the same way, if I'm mowing in the hills I have to leave my FEL on.

 

[wolc123]

The arguments against loading are mainly corrosion, fuel efficiency, and lawn damage. The corrosion thing is licked today by non-corrosive liquids (like rim-guard). There is not much you can do about the decrease in fuel efficiency, or increase in lawn damage. As you have seen, there are giant increases in stability and traction from that loading, which nearly always make it worth it, especially on a tractor with a front loader. Some will argue that it is a lot better to add iron weights as needed to the rears. Putting them on or off is no "piece of cake" however. There are definitely times I would not want loaded tires, such as on my tricycle-front, log dragging tractor. That thing really minimizes "rutting" of the woods. Also, lawn-mowing is very obvious. Any job that benefits much from greater traction, or greater stability is helped a lot by loading the tires.

 

[ovrszd]

I guess I don't understand the "traction" gain of loaded front tires on an FEL tractor??

As for stability on a side slope, it's only gained when the front axle has oscillated to the stopper. By then the operator is generally retreating from the situation. When climbing vertically the FEL will keep the front tires on the ground on all but the most extreme situations, which again will be retreated from.