Tires Filling rear tires

[art]

I wonder if it's because today there is more of a hobby farmer consumer instead of the way it use to be. Seems to me the middle man farmer is becoming a thing of the past, it's either a huge farm or a hobby farm. I know NY was the 3rd largest milk farming state not all that long ago, but I have seen many farms go under at a fast rate. Not sure where the state ranks now, and have to wonder if other states are noticing the same trend. Sorry for the ramble just trying to understand about the ballast not being as big a deal. I do realize machines are changing but lets not fool ourselfs they have not changed that much. Even if they have, wouldn't a machine with ballast still out perform one without?

Just a couple of notes to help you with this, liquid doesn't compress only the air does! So when a tire hits a bump it is actually beyond it by the time it can absorb it! Whats been found is that about 3/4s the weight is needed with cast to be added to equal the liquid ballast.
Farmers today realize that they can't expect compacted ground to grow good crops.

As I always stress, set the tractor up for what the majority of the work to be done. It does take weight to move weight and where the weight is often sets as to how much can be moved. Work smart!

Quick note from past tractor pulling--- the clutches go out in far less time with filled tires vs the cast ballast. Let your imagination run with that!

Currently are largest requests for filled tires come from compact tractor purchasers. For those that we set up with cast very few have ever ask for more.
Most commonly we find over inflated tires with traction complaints from compact tractor owners. (As well as farmers.) No wonder why we need better seats! Many are not allowing the tires to work for them.

 

[ljohnson778]

Just a couple of notes to help you with this, liquid doesn't compress only the air does! So when a tire hits a bump it is actually beyond it by the time it can absorb it! Whats been found is that about 3/4s the weight is needed with cast to be added to equal the liquid ballast.
Farmers today realize that they can't expect compacted ground to grow good crops.

As I always stress, set the tractor up for what the majority of the work to be done. It does take weight to move weight and where the weight is often sets as to how much can be moved. Work smart!

Quick note from past tractor pulling--- the clutches go out in far less time with filled tires vs the cast ballast. Let your imagination run with that!

Currently are largest requests for filled tires come from compact tractor purchasers. For those that we set up with cast very few have ever ask for more.
Most commonly we find over inflated tires with traction complaints from compact tractor owners. (As well as farmers.) No wonder why we need better seats! Many are not allowing the tires to work for them.

Actually, you're kind of making the point for liquid ballast... If the clutches go out faster in filled tires vs. cast weight, then there is clearly more traction provided by the liquid ballast. The engine needs to send more power through the clutch to get the machine moving, hence greater traction(and more clutch wear). I'm not saying that a pulling tractor is a great analogy to what we are seeing in the field, just that your observation supports the theory that liquid ballast provides greater traction. Resistance to axle spin(traction) increases the load on the clutch.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My local tractor dealer suggested tubes for my Rim Guard install. He said it would make it a lot easier if I had a puncture later, easier on the repairman and easier to salvage the remaining fluid. So I got the tubes along with the Rim Guard

 

[20 20]

I just read my manual again, it clearly states use ballest either loaded tires wheel weights or a combination. It mentions loading the tires more then once.

 

[rockshaft]

Liquid may not compress, but unless your tire is completely filled with liquid ballast, any air occupying the tire will compress, regardless of where its located in the tire. Given the minimal amount of deflection you would expect running a properly inflated tire over an obstacle- I would speculate no difference in the "feel" of a liquid ballasted vs an air filled tire.

 

[art]

Actually, you're kind of making the point for liquid ballast... If the clutches go out faster in filled tires vs. cast weight, then there is clearly more traction provided by the liquid ballast. The engine needs to send more power through the clutch to get the machine moving, hence greater traction(and more clutch wear). I'm not saying that a pulling tractor is a great analogy to what we are seeing in the field, just that your observation supports the theory that liquid ballast provides greater traction. Resistance to axle spin(traction) increases the load on the clutch.

Actually quite the opposite for the most part! Larger diameter weight or mass to get started does take more power! Tractors with out the liquid and with the cast do better.

 

[art]

Liquid may not compress, but unless your tire is completely filled with liquid ballast, any air occupying the tire will compress, regardless of where its located in the tire. Given the minimal amount of deflection you would expect running a properly inflated tire over an obstacle- I would speculate no difference in the "feel" of a liquid ballasted vs an air filled tire.

Our customers relate the difference as riding on a elephant to a cat. There is only minimal deflection when using the liquid. Problem is by the time the the liquid passes the needed deflection to the air, it needed to tdo that ten feet back!!!!!!

 

[countryboycansurvive]

I have to say that my tractor rides much better after loading the tires. It seems that without loaded tires the back end wants to bounce a lot more when going over rough ground. Since I can add more weight with liquid vs. cast (looking at the limits of cast wheel weights in the manual), it costs much less, and liquid provides a lower center of gravity it's a no brainer for me, liquid it is. Another benefit is that there isn't as much inertia to overcome when bringing the tractor to a stop. Cast wheel weights are basically low speed flywheels. Now if I were a dealer I'd probably promote cast weights since I'm sure the margin is much higher.

 

[RFB]

And in different parts of the country, different practices may be the norm.

My environment is quite different than what passes for rural in the eastern U.S. My county, a relatively small one, is 1400 square miles, with a population of 3600, and not one traffic signal in the entire county.

Lots of ranching and farming. Granted, I have not met everyone, but I don't know anyone without loaded tractor tires. The only question here is what you use (mostly CC), and some rim guard types, but all loaded.