Ballast Filled R3’s for lawn

[Diggin It]

Any impact at high speed? I could see myself driving this machine on-road at 18 mph to some of the places where I do work or harvest wood, within a mile or two of my house.

Make certain you're in 2WD. You can destroy your front end if you use 4WD on pavement. Be aware of an effect called 'porpoising' where you end up undulating front to rear as you travel, just like a porpoise swimming across the surface.

 

[WinterDeere]

Re: Filled R3痴 for lawn

Sounds pretty much like my place. That's the main reason I got R4s loaded, all four of them. Get used to being in 4WD and Lo most, if not all of the time. It can get mighty unpleasant right quick if you don't.

Wow... I had only planned on filling the rears, since I figure they give the greatest stability both for nosing the machine and side/side stability. Did loading the fronts buy you much?

I had filled R3s on the 4010. The rears were kinder to the lawn, but the fronts grip better than R4s and can tear up the lawn in turns; whereas, the R4s mostly skid, often requiring turning brakes to make a turn.

Just rears, or all 4?

The R3s gave problems with the FEL, leaking, coming off rims, etc. Never any problems with the R4s. Just a VERY HARD ride with them.

I had 6PR turfs on the front of my old machine, and they were great. Ironically, the previous owner had 4PR R4's and they had all of the same problems you had with your R3's. I think the ply rating of front tires probably matters even more than the tread type, for loader work.

Make certain you're in 2WD. You can destroy your front end if you use 4WD on pavement. Be aware of an effect called 'porpoising' where you end up undulating front to rear as you travel, just like a porpoise swimming across the surface.

Yep, always 2wd unless I'm on a slippy surface or headed down a steep hill with a load in the bucket.

 

[RalphVa]

If you go downhill at all, have it in 4wd. Otherwise, the rear wheels will skid, and you have NO front brakes.

Ralph

 

[WinterDeere]

If you go downhill at all, have it in 4wd. Otherwise, the rear wheels will skid, and you have NO front brakes.

Ralph

Yep. Learned that about ten years ago, the fun way. Now, if I have a heavy load in the bucket it’s in 4wd, and I usually prefer to go reverse down the hill to keep as much load as possible on the rear.

 

[WinterDeere]

I’m really surprised I haven’t been able to find any YouTube videos of lawn impressions before/after filling. Conditions might be tough to replicate, the firmness of my lawn in cold weather changes throughout the day, but still... you’d think someone would’ve wanted to contribute some evidence to this age-old debate.

 

[Threepoint]

Re: Filled R3痴 for lawn

I知 really surprised I haven稚 been able to find any YouTube videos of lawn impressions before/after filling. Conditions might be tough to replicate, the firmness of my lawn in cold weather changes throughout the day, but still... you壇 think someone would致e wanted to contribute some evidence to this age-old debate.

I see an opportunity there for you!

Seriously though, I'd make a video, then fill your rear R3s. I have filled R3s on all my loader tractors, and they leave very little impression unless the ground is very saturated. The gain in stability and control will be worth it, IMO.

 

[Woody65]

Excellent, thanks @Woody65! I just looked up spec's on your 4300, and it's almost identical to my 3033R in weight and HP. What are your uses for this machine? Any impact at high speed? I could see myself driving this machine on-road at 18 mph to some of the places where I do work or harvest wood, within a mile or two of my house.

Sorry for the long delay in responding. I use the tractor to mow about 2 acres of lawn, brush hog 6 acres twice a year, skid logs out of the woods to my sawmill, FEL to move dirt and gravel, grapple to move whatever I need it to move, tow trailers of firewood around. Never had wished I had different tires on the rear. Heavy FEL use and the tires squat a little in the front. Switched to 6ply and no issues.
I never drive on the roadway so no advice there. Sorry.