Gate Post Removal

[BobRip]

Clint Blake has filled his rear tires with I think antifreeze/water mix. He seems very pleased.

I have two weights on the hitch pin each is 55 pounds. Most of the time I only have one in place. It makes the machine move much better when the bucket is loaded, since the rear wheels will spin when they are lightly loaded.

Bob Rip

 

[catsco]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On that note... has anyone loaded the tires (especially the rears) on their PT to add weight and improve traction? )</font>

I had considered adding wheel weights or loading tires on the rear as they seem to spend a bit of time off the ground!

BUT, I think the biggest possibility of damage would be to the link and bosses of the bearings at the middle joint.

You could add weight, reinforce those joints, weld stiffeners on the lift arms, etc., but then you'd have the next higher model.

HOWEVER, just for traction if you're careful not to lift more than you would without the extra weight, loaded tires would probably really help.

I sometimes get quite a bit of wheelspin (using bar tires) when backing up fairly steep grades.

The loaded tires wouldn't add strain to the bearings as they are not added weight to the parts (half the tractor) that is carried by the bearings. Inertia and additional weight moved would have virtually no effect other than, other things being equal, you could go down hills faster!

Mark H.

 

[jol1269]

not only that but the added weight could possible bend the pivot point on the loader arms . if there is no pt pucker then something has to give but that would take away the possibility of rewelding in a new pivot linkage on the lloader arms . but hey just my opinion. i think ill stick with the weight pt intended as im not that big on fixing what isnt broke . lol .

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="blue"> The loaded tires wouldn't add strain to the bearings </font>


<font color="red"> Air is compressible. Liquid is not. The soft, low pressure tires are the only 'suspension' the PT has. Filling those tires with liquid makes them nearly inflexible, and, therefore, all the shocks and bumps are transmitted directly to the bearings!!

If you want to add weight to the rear, at the risk of over lifting, go ahead, but keep those tires soft (Front = 11#, Rear = 7#) to absorb the bumps!!</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Marks481]

The turf tires I have specify 10# max inflation pressure (not that I think 11# is going to cause any problems)

What is the reasoning behind the 11#/7# inflation of the tires?

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The turf tires I have specify 10# max inflation pressure (not that I think 11# is going to cause any problems)

<font color="red"> I developed these pressures experimentally for my PT-425 with Bar Tires. The Bar Tires have a max inflation pressure of 20#. </font>



What is the reasoning behind the 11#/7# inflation of the tires? )</font>

<font color="red"> The 11# Front is soft enough to allow full width bar contact with the ground, and provide a soft ride for the PT and me, but are hard enough to carry a full load without possible bruising or rim damage. Note the front tire shape with this 'full load' !!

The 7# Rear provides full width bar contact with the ground, and a soft ride.

Since the Turf and Bar Tires are the same size similar pressures should work well. 10#/7# should provide similar performance with the Turf Tires.

Being soft and flexible, these tires somewhat 'wrap around' obstructions such as logs or rocks. Since they provide a larger softer footprint, they tend to damage tender surfaces much less.
</font>

 

[Egon]

Surprizing how fast the rear end will lift. My little tractor spends much of it's time in the same type of position when trying to dig out stumps or pick up logs/rocks that are a tad on the heavy side.

My turf tires have about 25 PSI. Steers easier and less prone to punctures.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="blue"> (My turf tires have about 25 PSI. Steers easier and less prone to punctures.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )
</font>

<font color="red"> If it is a PT-425, with 25# it also rides harder, is more likely to damage the wheel motor bearings, provides less traction, is more likely to damage tender ground surfaces, exceeds the tire manufacturer's maximum pressure rating, and is more likely to bruise or blowout!! Otherwise, it sounds like a fine idea!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif


PS: The 11/7 recommendation is for the Bar Tires on a PT-425. Other tractors will obviously require other pressures!!

</font>

 

[ClintBlake]

Three years ago I put 2gal antifreeze with 3gal water in my back tires to keep the back end down when moving my #7700 gross trailer. There is still air in the tire so the tire still flexes to soften the ride. I was so pleased with this in the back that I later did the same thing to the front which helps when pushing snow with the blade. Some (including PT) didn't like the idea, but it made more sense to me than adding weight to the frame because the added weight is on the tire not the axle. I wouldn't even consider going back to just air and may even try to add more in the future.

It is really easy to do, just take the valve off one of the portable air tanks, fill it with your water/antifreeze mixture, put the valve back in and pump it up with your air compressor. Let the air out of the tire and fill it from the tank with the valve down.

 

[BobRip]

I feel that the weight on the rear (110 pounds) has made the PT422 feel like a different and much better machine. I don't see how adding 110 pounds on the rear is much worse that carrying 800 pounds on the front.

Bob Rip