Lifting Heavy Objects

BobRip · Jul 14, 2005

When I have 110 pounds of weight on my rear bumper, the relief valves kick in before the pucker factor. They do work but are set a little higher that the pucker factor.

Bob Rip

KentT · Jul 14, 2005

That's great info to know...

I'm pretty sure that I'll load my rear tires, which should add about 125 lbs or so, though not out as far from the fulcrum as your weight hanging off the back hitch. I have wheel weights that I can bolt on temporarily, to see what the result would be, before I load the tires with WW fluid. That's the experiment I have in mind, since wheel weights function much like loading the tires -- they're just a pain if you want to remove the wheel to clean off the wheel motors, for example... so, they'd be temporary.

Like you, I just can't see where another 100 - 150 lbs on the back will have that big of an impact on the reliability of the tractor's pivot pin or steering. Every garden tractor I have has the rear tires loaded, and I hang an additional counterweight on the rear when using heavy front attachments like a 42" snowblower.

I want to be able to safely lift the max weight the tractor's hydraulics can handle, on level ground, since I'll have to lift lower amounts in my woods because of the pucker factor caused by the slopes. There's a few spots, like down by the lake, where I must work facing downhill if I work at all -- much like you've described working in/near the creek. I don't want the rear end lifting on a slope, just because there's more hydraulic power than there is weight to hold it down...

BobRip · Jul 14, 2005

Clint Blake has filled his rear wheels. Prior to that he was somewhat disatisfied with his 422. He now is happy with it. Even if you are only carrying say 300 pounds, it gives the rear wheels more traction and keeps you from getting stuck. With some other four wheel drives, if the weight is shifted then the torque can go to the loaded wheels. With the hydraulic drive the torque will not shift to the loaded wheels. I like the weights since they can go on an off in seconds. Normally I only run 55 pounds, and that works pretty good.

Bob Rip

FOURTEEN · Jul 16, 2005

( I'm pretty sure that I'll load my rear tires, which should add about 125 lbs or so )

 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif At 8# per gallon you'll need 16 gallons of water for 128#! How will you fit 8 gallons into each little PT-425 rear tire!!??!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

RegL · Jul 17, 2005

( ( I'm pretty sure that I'll load my rear tires, which should add about 125 lbs or so )

 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif At 8# per gallon you'll need 16 gallons of water for 128#! How will you fit 8 gallons into each little PT-425 rear tire!!??!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif 

)

And if you can, do you really want to deal with 150 pounds every time you need to change a flat? After having the pt for two years, the repair I have had to do the most often is change flat tires out in the field.

BobRip · Jul 17, 2005

I think you need a total of 125 pounds. 110 pounds on my bumper is enough.

BobRip

FOURTEEN · Jul 18, 2005

( I think you need a total of 125 pounds. )

 Since I already have 7# of air in each rear tire, all I have to do is use my compressor to add an extra 55# of air to each tire!!

KentT · Jul 18, 2005

I'm guessing that 23x10.50s will hold between 7.5 and 8 gallons -- I KNOW that 23x8.50s will hold around 6.5 gallons since I've done it several times...

While still leaving a large enough air pocket above the rim to soften the ride and adjust the pressure, BTW...

ClintBlake · Jul 18, 2005

My guess is you are correct in thinking they will hold 7.5+ gal. I put 5 gal in each of my tires and it did not come up to the valve stem with the tire rotated to have the valve stem at the top. As far as dealing with the weight if you have a flat, I don't know how much the tires on my 1 ton van or my wife's excursion weigh, but I am sure they weigh at least 50 to 60 pounds and I deal with those every time I rotate tires. I have had nothing but positive results from loading my tires and I didn't even reverse them on the tractor.

RegL · Jul 18, 2005

( My guess is you are correct in thinking they will hold 7.5+ gal. I put 5 gal in each of my tires and it did not come up to the valve stem with the tire rotated to have the valve stem at the top. As far as dealing with the weight if you have a flat, I don't know how much the tires on my 1 ton van or my wife's excursion weigh, but I am sure they weigh at least 50 to 60 pounds and I deal with those every time I rotate tires. I have had nothing but positive results from loading my tires and I didn't even reverse them on the tractor. )

 I was not being critical when I brought up the weight problem when changing flats, just bringing attention to it.I was thinking of the time last year when I carried a spare on my shoulder for about half a mile back in the woods after getting a flat. You know what though? I bet you could build a spare tire carrier on the back of the PT and that would add even more weight.