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escavader
Veteran Member
Got them loaded my dealer loads all new tractor rears and a block heater(except bx) for free
Load tires or not?
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griesheimer
New member
I got into a discussion yesterday with the local Kioti dealer regarding tire loading. He strongly recommended loading the rear tires only, though for 22 years I have operated my Kubota L4200 4WD with all 4 tires loaded. I've never noticed a problem with front wheels loaded, other than a tendency to get stuck in wet soil if I work too soon after winter rains.
I work (FEL) somewhat hilly forested land, and I need all the traction I can get. Can anyone offer experience / advice re front tire loading? I notice that some setups allow front weights to increase front traction on 4WDs. It seems preferable to load front tires, rather than use front weights, because tire loading doesn't add to the front wheel bearing load. It also locates weight at the lowest possible center of gravity.
Comments?
I work (FEL) somewhat hilly forested land, and I need all the traction I can get. Can anyone offer experience / advice re front tire loading? I notice that some setups allow front weights to increase front traction on 4WDs. It seems preferable to load front tires, rather than use front weights, because tire loading doesn't add to the front wheel bearing load. It also locates weight at the lowest possible center of gravity.
Comments?
tman1020
Veteran Member
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- north west indiana
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- Bobcat ct225 and Bad Boy zero turn
I loaded my front tires before but I used rubber. Some places offer it. It is a little expensive but you will never have a flat. when you replace your tires you will have to cut them off. It was very handy. It does make the tractor ride a bit rougher but not a big deal. And it is very heavy. On my current set up I have not needed it yet.
WranglerX
Super Member
IF you have a hoe on it you have equivalent of loaded tire or 3PH added ballast.... I prefer to NOT load tires and put on or take off the approximates 600 ballast box depending on what I am doing with tractor... Bu them I don't have a hoe for tractor either...
Dale
Dale
PhysAssist
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- Aug 22, 2011
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- Kubota B2320
My Kubota dealer flat refused to load my front tires when he beet-juiced the rears for me, but I never heard of loading with rubber- it makes a lot of sense when you think about it- likely is higher density, and no flats is awesome.
jeff9366
Super Star Member
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- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
Few need more traction working downhill.
Working uphill, assuming unburdened FEL, probably 65% of tractor weight is distributed on the two rear tires.
What liquid you add to front tires is pretty limited relative to 1,000 pound weight of FEL.
Front wheels and front axles have a lot of weight on them from a burdened FEL bucket. No need to add additional weight to the front axle through loaded front tires.
Steel or rubber front tire chains may be more effective supplying traction and steering.
All four of my tires are inflated with air. However, my Florida land is flat, I operate over turf regularly and you have more power to apply to the ground.
How many engine hours is 22 years? I replace front R4/industrial tires at about 1,600 engine hours.
Cannot chance a front tire blowout with the heavy FEL loads tractor carries.
Last edited:
MechanicalGuy
Platinum Member
Loaded front tires would not add any weight to the front axle at all from a load bearing standpoint. The axle would not know it or feel it.
Henro
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I have been running foam filled tires on the front of both of my tractors, to eliminate flats, for about 15 years.
No issues to report. I think I have about 1800 hours on the larger tractor and about 1300 on the smaller one.
Extra mass of the wheels would not be felt by the front axle when the tractor is parked, but there should be some difference dynamically when things are moving. Still, hard to imagine that filling tires would be harder on the front end of a tractor than installing and using a loader would...
No issues to report. I think I have about 1800 hours on the larger tractor and about 1300 on the smaller one.
Extra mass of the wheels would not be felt by the front axle when the tractor is parked, but there should be some difference dynamically when things are moving. Still, hard to imagine that filling tires would be harder on the front end of a tractor than installing and using a loader would...
Diggin It
Super Star Member
My dealer loaded the fronts without question or hesitation, though he did charge for it. Loaded rears for no charge. I have a couple of steeper hills and clay soil that turns to goo when wet. I need to be in 4WD whenever I take the slopes, wet ground or dry. I have the loader bucket on at all times, but not always carrying anything. If I carry a load, I always keep the bucket as low as possible, just above skimming the ground. Loaded R4s make for a rougher ride, and aren't the best on wet/slick mud, but they hold up to the weight.
