I'm confused...

[JayC]

I\'m confused...

I was reading through the manual posted on JD's site for the 110TLB. I got to the part where it talks about using liquid ballast. I'll post the part that I have questions about:

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Damage to tires and drive train will occur if:

· Tire is more than 90 percent full. More solution would leave too little air space to absorb shocks. Fill only enough to cover rim completely with solution to avoid corrosion.

· Ballast is added when the backhoe is installed.

· Using rear mounted attachments weighing 567 kg (1250 lb) or greater.

· Ballast is added to the front of this machine or the front tires.

· Foam filling is used in either the front or rear tires.

The manual said damage can occur if ballast is added if the backhoe is installed. This don't make sense to me. Don't people fill their tires if they have a backhoe installed? What if you aren't using the backhoe but a far less heavy implement like a rear blade and wanted to do FEL work - would you have to put the hoe back on, take much smaller bites? Does it really hurt the machine if you have the hoe installed with liquid filled tires?

I'm also wondering about filling the front tires. I've heard people on this forum filling their front tires. Does it really hurt the machine in some way?

And one last thing, how can putting foam in the tires cause any damage? People do it all the time.

What about other machines like the 4000 Tens and Twenties? Will they sustain the same type of damage?

Maybe there is a good reason for the blurb in the manual, but being the mechanically inept twit I am I don't see it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: I\'m confused...

This is a perfect "ask yer Dealer" question. When I see something like this that defies logic, I get his take. He is the one who will be there to determine warranty issues and I'd rather he be the one to err (as long as he is willing to back up his advice)

The 110TLB is a whole lot heavier build than a CUT, and ballast may not be as necessary ...

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Re: I\'m confused...

If you go to the Deere web site, there is an e-mail address to ask questions. I've found that they can answer most questions if given some time.

I can see where some shock absourbtion would be lost if the tires are filled too full, or even if they are filled with foam. Air will compress when water (and maybe foam) will not. Don't know, but it doesn't sound unreasonable.

Cliff

 

[fire72]

Re: I\'m confused...

The only problem I've heard of with filling the front tires was valve stem corrosion. I looked into filling the fronts on my old Massey 135, and the tire dealer told me he could do it, but he couldn't get tubes in that size with valve stems that would handle the CaCl. Said I'd probably have to replace the tubes every year or two. Decided not to and coughed up the money for a front weight rack and suitcase weights.

Sounds like a good question for your dealer...

 

[JimR]

Re: I\'m confused...

My old Ford 8N that I had for 20 years had a backhoe and filled tires. I never had a problem with them. Sounds like someone is trying to CTA in case of a tire break.