Loaded tires vs wheel weights

[TerryinMD]

Cowboydoc,

Why wouldn't you use a 3 pt ballast weight? Just curious.

Advatage to 3pt ballast weight is that you can adjust the center of gravity by raising or lowing the hitch.

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Terry,

I don't use a "3-Pt Dedicated Ballast Weight"...

The same as Richard, I use an "existing implement" as the ballast.

I agree with Richard, invest your money in an implement you can use for dual purposes, such as a heavy rear blade and ballast combined...

The only time I would think about using a "dedicated" 3 point ballast weight would be in very close quarters and using the loader, or such on a construction site and most of your work is with the loader per say...

 

[Bird]

I, too, have no dedicated weight; just use my box blade for the most part. And I have water and antifreeze in my rear tires for ballast, but agree with Cowboydoc that the wheel weights would be my first choice; easier to add or reduce weight, easier to fix flats, etc. I went with the liquid ballast for two reasons: (1) Kubota does not show to have wheel weights for my model and I didn't want to build my own, and (2) less cost.

Bird

 

[art]

In general the most efficient use of you money is with the lightest possible combination. I let people run the tractors knowing with a fixed cost of the options after using the unit. Many people leave them light, some add on the weight after, most stay light.

 

[Harv]

Terry -

No matter what my primary chore at hand is, I wind up using my FEL virtually every time I take the tractor out, so rear weight is a must. I leave my box blade on most of the time, since it is the second handiest tool I have, plus it is fairly heavy and compact. The only time I take it off is to use my rotary cutter, which is even heavier.

My rear tires are also loaded, mostly 'cuz they came that way. I still have 600 pounds of lead I was going to use for wheel weights, but just haven't had enough need to pursue it.

 

[TerryinMD]

Well... I guess I got enough reasonable answers to that question. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I suppose I'm the direct opposite to your situations. I have no need for a box blade and only have the FEL on about 25% of the time. Dang thing gets in the way. Most of my usage is in finish mowing, bushhogging, or tilling/plowing - pretty much in that order. I have just purchased a rear blade and have just began to learn how to use it. It does not provide enough ballast to offset a loaded FEL. So, for my application, a ballast box helps when moving a lot of materials.

So, I guess the best way to view it is that you have to look at your particular needs and equip your tractor accordingly.

Terry

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>I guess the best way to view it is that you have to look at your particular needs and equip your tractor accordingly</font color=blue>

Now that's a fact, for sure.

Bird

 

[TerryinMD]

James,

Looks as though the esteemed panel members have provided insight to your original post. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Terry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have now decided to go with wheel weights. I believe they are the most versatile and leaves your 3pt hitch open for other attachments. Thank you everyone for your opinions.

 

[cowboydoc]

Terry,
The only reason I wouldn't use one is because 90% of the time I've got something attached to the front and the backend. If I don't have a pounder, digger, backhoe, etc. on the back I put my box blade on the back for counter weight. If I didn't have all the other stuff to put on or need it then yes I would consider it.