Half filled tires? Safer?

Paddy · Apr 23, 2005

I have a KAMA 454 she weighs in a 4100lb with out the FEL or rear wheel weights.

I live in hilly country, Southern IN. Not that I need more weight but in terms of Center of gravity, I was considering to have the tires 'half filled'. This would put all the weight below the Center of gravity.

Any one done this?

Patrick

RoyJackson · Apr 23, 2005

What are you planning to fill the tires with? If CaCL, you definitely want to at least cover the rims (~ 75%). Since you're going ½ way, another ¼ shouldn't be much of a stretch. It would be that much more of a margin of safety too.

Paddy · Apr 23, 2005

Cover the rims for effects of reaction rim CaCl?

Patrick

RoyJackson · Apr 23, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Cover the rims for effects of reaction rim CaCl?

Patrick )</font>

If you've been cruising TBN for a while, by now you know the corrosive effects of CaCl. As long as the rims are totally submerged, corrosion won't be a problem. There's a lot of old tractor around that have had calcium chloride filled tires for years...decades.

Henro · Apr 23, 2005

Paddy,

Even if you filled your tires completely with something like foam, the added weight would be below the tractor's center of gravity and aid in stability.

One thing to be concerned about with half filled tires is sloshing. This can show up if running the tractor fast, like down a road and lead to instability from what I have read.

Also, if you do get in a bad situation on a slope, it is possible that the liquid in the half filled tire could shift and have a negative impact on the situation...at least in theory...

If you are interested in maximizing the stability affect of loading your tires, I would myself fill them 75% with liquid or even better, although I might not be able to afford it in rear tires, 100% with foam...

The center of gravity of a loaded tire is at most no higher than the axle, so it will always lower the overall center of gravity of the tractor and make the tractor less likely to tip on any given slope...everything else being equal.

JerryG · Apr 24, 2005

Patrick,
Here is something that might be something that you could use. If you don't have a belly mower or subframe backhoe, mount a steel weight box under the tractor, just ahead of the rear tires. The box wouldn't have to be very large or hang very low if it is filled with lead wheel weights.

Scozz · Apr 25, 2005

Patrick the tires on your KAMA have 3 width adjustments ... do you have them at maximum width? If not that should be your first step in gaining stability ... Scozz