Loaded tires vs wheel weights

Anonymous Poster · Sep 22, 2001

I will be ordering a front end loader with my 4300 and would like some advice before I close the deal. Is it necessary to load the tires? I don't like the idea of using calcium choride (corrosive). Maybe wheel weights are a better plan. The tractor will also be used for grass cutting and snow blowing. Please share your experences, expertise and advice.

kerr · Sep 22, 2001

Im thinking wheel weights myself.A boxblade or something must be on the rear also.

Hillbilly · Sep 22, 2001

My tires on my JD 4400 are filled with an alchohol mixture front and rear . I agree calcium is damaging.
Bird is a good man for advice,or John Miller,or Glenmac.

Chris in IN · Sep 22, 2001

I opted for wheel weights for my 4400. Everyone I talked to said not to fill the tires. I found 4 wheel weights at the local farm machinery salvage yard. They came off of a MF 510 combine & weigh a total of 450 lbs. The bolt holes lined up perfect with the ones in the R4 rims. I also made a 3 pt weight bracket that will hold 8 100 lb suite case weights.

Hillbilly · Sep 23, 2001

Why did they say not to fill the tires? There is a lot of tires filled around here at the JD dealerships and tire shops. Just curious to the reason why.

Chris in IN · Sep 23, 2001

The main reason was corrosion. The next was that tire shops in this area do not want to work on filled tires. There are very few places that will fill tires in this area. The ones that do would not recomend doing it. I grew up on a farm & my older brothers also remined me of the problems with filled tires. With weights I can remove them if I want to lighten the tractor. If I have a flat tire all I have to do is patch it and add air. I have $340.00 in my 3pt weight bracket & 1100 lbs weight. Not alot more than the cost of filling the tires once in this area.

TerryinMD · Sep 24, 2001

Another option is to buy or make a ballast weight for the 3ph. I opted for the JD ready made. I paid about $150 for it. It will hold approximately 6-7 80# bags of ready mix concrete. If you need, there is an extension to increase the weight.

One of the nice things about the 3pt ballast is that you can use it at your pleasure.

Terry

Hillbilly · Sep 24, 2001

Makes sense to me!!

Anonymous Poster · Sep 25, 2001

I like the idea of having a 3pt hitch weight. This is something I could have customized for the tractor. I would like to see some current designs. I think my 2nd choose will be wheel weights. They have the benefit of just bolt on and forget. Of course cost will be a factor, especially after the cost of the tractor.

cowboydoc · Sep 26, 2001

James,
I went with wheel weights. I have 300 lbs. on each tire. I went this way as I usually need both my front end and rear end for implements and I would never use a 3 pt. weight. For reasons already mentioned I didn't want my tires filled. Also if you ever need less weight it's a 15 minute job and you have no more weight. I've also got a heavy duty 6' woods box blade that I use as a 3 pt. weight as well. Instead of putting the money into a 3 pt. weight or ballast buy one of these. Then you have something useful as well as for weight.