Liquid ballast in CK rear tires

[rider7767]

I noticed a big difference when I had my CK20S back tires loaded. It added about 200 to 250 lbs per side. That is upwards of 500 extra pounds setting on the ground and not on my tractor's rear bearings. I still keep a box blade or loader on the back.

 

[Gittyup]

Has anyone had theirs filled with foam? If so what was the cost? As I said my R4's are filled with rim guard. Even still, they aren't worth a hoot in the snow. It believe it's the R4's themselves. Can't imagine how bad it would be if not filled with fluid. If I had to use my tractor for snow removal, I'd have to get chains. Luckily I have other options because I don't want to deal with chains every winter.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have Rimguard and R-4's (no chains) and I maintain 1000 foot of north/south driveway in North East Indiana, along with 3-4 elderly neighbor's driveways and MOST of the time I have absolutely no issues.
Last year I would run out of power before traction after the wind filled the cleared out trough back up, and that was the first time in 6 years since I got the Bobcat, so I had to "dig" it out rather than push it.
Digging 4 feet of snow can consume a lot of time :thumbdown:

 

[k0ua]

Using the loader today with the box blade on the back I would run out of power on the hydrostat before I ran out of traction. But it was nice and dry and that's without anything in the rear tires.

What range were you in?.. in Low range you should be able to spin your tires on just about any surface. Med, might be iffy on some hard surfaces.. HI is just pretty much for road transport, and does not have a lot of torque.

 

[tman1020]

I was in low range. I did not need the diff lock either. I looked into foam rubber option for the tires as well it is not recommended. Owners manual states not to use it dealer said does not allow the tractor enough shock absorbency. I guess guys were using it on skids steers. it was beating them and the machine to death. I did have it in the fronts of my old tractor and was very pleased with it did ride a little rougher but not horrible. I'm just not sure whether to fill or not if I can hit my Hydro relief before I run out of traction now. It's never happened when I've been pulling something but quite often when I'm digging into a pile of dirt.

 

[lilranch2001]

James, I know you are directing your question at Tman, but I will answer for me, I always plow in Med, that long of a driveway would take forever in low, and low would not help me out as far as time, as I would just start spinning in Low about as quick as I would run out of power in Med

 

[k0ua]

I was in low range. I did not need the diff lock either. I looked into foam rubber option for the tires as well it is not recommended. Owners manual states not to use it dealer said does not allow the tractor enough shock absorbency. I guess guys were using it on skids steers. it was beating them and the machine to death. I did have it in the fronts of my old tractor and was very pleased with it did ride a little rougher but not horrible. I'm just not sure whether to fill or not if I can hit my Hydro relief before I run out of traction now. It's never happened when I've been pulling something but quite often when I'm digging into a pile of dirt.

I wonder if your hydro relief is set a little low. On my Kioti, I can spin the tires on Low, in 4wd. on about any surface. Loaded tires, and about 800 lbs on the back. Med is iffy, I can spin sometimes on gravel, sometimes not. HI never spin, it will always go into relief.

 

[k0ua]

James, I know you are directing your question at Tman, but I will answer for me, I always plow in Med, that long of a driveway would take forever in low, and low would not help me out as far as time, as I would just start spinning in Low about as quick as I would run out of power in Med

Understand. That is the beauty of having 3 ranges. Hopefully you can find one that fits for the type of job you are doing.

 

[tman1020]

Yeah that makes sense it could be. I was kind of starting to think that. I don't think the Hydro on our tractors is adjustable though. Could be a defect.

 

[buickanddeere]

Should be able to able to just about stall the engine before the relief valve diverts.