Tires Loaded tires

[cat fever]

I have a question about loading the tires on my tractor. I understand the benefit for loader purposes; my question is will the tractor act differently at higher speeds like moving from one field to another, and will it be more or less stable turning while going at higher speeds?
Thanks I look forward to the replies.

 

[whis]

unless your tractor will do 50 mph you won't know the difference

 

[4570Man]

It does ride worse, but it is well worth the downside.

 

[cat fever]

Thank you both. For the most part I will be staying in my own field, but sometimes I go to a gravel pit just a mile away. I was not sure if it would feel like a tire out of balance.

 

[oosik]

Properly filled you will never notice any negative differences and the added weight will increase stability and traction. I would suggest that you use any of the many fluid types available - other than a salt solution.

 

[cat fever]

Properly filled you will never notice any negative differences and the added weight will increase stability and traction. I would suggest that you use any of the many fluid types available - other than a salt solution.

That's what I want to hear. I plan to use Rim Guard. Thanks...

Is is worth filling the front tires also?

 

[motownbrowne]

I've driven mine about 14 miles round trip to rototilla field for a good friend of mine. My rears are full of rimgaurd and it was absolutely no problem. I certainly wouldn't worry about 1 mile at top speed.

Is is worth filling the front tires also?

That's a heavily debated subject right there. You certainly don't gain as much traction as when you fill the rears, because the volume in the fronts is much less. Furthermore, you don't really gain any stability since the fronts pivot anyway. The "for it" camp says you get extra weight to counter weight that's on the three point hitch without putting extra stress on the front axle (since the weight isn't being carried by the axle). The "against it" camp says that the extra weight puts stress on the kingpin assembly, which isn't necessarily designed to lift an axle that heavy (like when you lift the front wheels by pushing the loader bucket down). They also say that it puts extra stress up front when steering. Kubota advises against it in my owners manual for whatever that's worth. The New Holland I just bought has filled fronts and rears. I can't say as I've noticed any benefit, but I've also pretty much only used it for clearing snow with a back blade so far.

 

[LD1]

If extra front weight is needed to offset something heavy on the 3PH then I would fill the fronts. But I wouldnt do it for the reasons of increased traction. Just not enough there to make a difference. Fluid in the fronts is cheaper than buying suitcase weights.

 

[nybirdman]

I can't see any reason to load the fronts;you load the rears to take weight "off" the front.

 

[motownbrowne]

I can't see any reason to load the fronts;you load the rears to take weight "off" the front.

Mmmmm.... Not sure about that. You load the rears for stability, and traction. You hang weight on the three point to take weight off the front axle. I can't see how adding weight to the rear tires achieves that.

 

[LD1]

Filling the tires takes nothing off the front. And if anything, allows you to load the front EVEN HEAVIER.

With nothing in the tires and nothing on the 3ph, the MOST the front will see is total weight of machine +whatever the FEL will lift before rears leave the ground.

With loaded tires, you now have a heavier machine, AND can lift more before the rears lift. So the additional you can lift+the added weight of the fluid is all on the front, which is alot more than before.

Actually, there is no load combination that rear fliud lessens the weight on the front. Only way to do that is something being the rear axle.

 

[cat fever]

Thanks all,
I think I will just fill the rears and call it good.

 

[pmsmechanic]

This is a subject that I have definite opinions on. The only time I put my rear three point hitch weights on is when I'm doing front end loader work that requires the stability. My front wheel assist tractor doesn't need any weight added for any other work that I do.

I had a 285 Massey tractor. 18.4 x 34 tires, two wheel drive and no loader. 65 hp I believe. When I got it the rear tires were full of fluid. I sold the fluid because for what I was going to use the tractor for I didn't need it. I ended up selling the tractor because my plans changed and my buddy bought it. He was going to put the fluid back in but ended up pulling the tractor hard several times and realized that the tractor had more than adequate traction without the extra weight.

 

[cat fever]

When I use these two pieces of equipment my tires spin a lot if in two wheel drive. Four wheel drive it pulls just fine.

 

[Qapla]

Two additional questions ......

If the tractor has a sub-frame backhoe does it still need extra weight in the back? (like filled tires)

What about filling the tires with foam instead of liquid?

 

[LD1]

With a backhoe, as long as it is on the tractor, you probably dont need anything else for ballast.

Foam is better than liquid IMO. Heavier, and tires never go flat. But it does ride a bit rougher, you cannot remove it, and it is really expensive.

 

[cat fever]

With a backhoe, as long as it is on the tractor, you probably dont need anything else for ballast.

Foam is better than liquid IMO. Heavier, and tires never go flat. But it does ride a bit rougher, you cannot remove it, and it is really expensive.

I have never heard of foam in tires. Dumb question maybe; when the tire needs to be replaced (bald) how do you get it off the rim? I am assuming the foam sets up.

 

[4570Man]

Two additional questions ...... If the tractor has a sub-frame backhoe does it still need extra weight in the back? (like filled tires) What about filling the tires with foam instead of liquid?

As long as the backhoe is attached no extra weight is needed. I still recommend loading the tires because few people leave their backhoe on 100% of the time.

 

[LD1]

I have never heard of foam in tires. Dumb question maybe; when the tire needs to be replaced (bald) how do you get it off the rim? I am assuming the foam sets up.

They have to be cutoff.

And "foam" is a but misleading. It a urethane rubber that gets poured in there. Basically makes them a solid rubber tire.

 

[PILOON]

The previous owner had filled my fronts with calcium. The small 12" tubes were not designed for filling and the valves both rotted out resulting in trashed rims.
Based on my experience I'd not suggest filling them.
When I did manage to renew the front rims (without loading) I never noticed any change in stability or performance.
There is major differences between stem designs meant for loading.