Loading both front and back tires on a SC2400 ???

[AxleHub]

Greetings,

When buying a new sub compact tractor with a need for mmm grass cutting on steeper hills . . . is there a reason why you wouldn't load both your front and back tires ? It seems normal to have rears loaded . . . but other than cost . . . wouldn't loading the fronts be a good thing ?

And how long does loading last before it needs to be redone? What negatives are there to loading tires?

 

[davesl708]

If you need the traction then adding weights to the front frame will get you more weight. the small tires on the front will not give you much weight for the cost of loading them.

 

[Gods Country]

If you need the traction then adding weights to the front frame will get you more weight. the small tires on the front will not give you much weight for the cost of loading them.

Yup. The gain from loading the front tires would be insignificant, IMO.

 

[bsinhc50]

I used to own a SC2400 and it was one heck of a machine so I agree with the other 2 guys, loading the fronts isn't worth the time nor money because, for the size of the tire, you'll gain very little. For mowing on the hilly areas, I took loader off and added suitcase weights to the front while the rears were loaded and never had an issue. Another thing I did that made a difference was to swap the rear tires from one side to the other which made the wheel base wider and the tractor more stable on hilly terrain.

 

[AxleHub]

I used to own a SC2400 and it was one heck of a machine so I agree with the other 2 guys, loading the fronts isn't worth the time nor money because, for the size of the tire, you'll gain very little. For mowing on the hilly areas, I took loader off and added suitcase weights to the front while the rears were loaded and never had an issue. Another thing I did that made a difference was to swap the rear tires from one side to the other which made the wheel base wider and the tractor more stable on hilly terrain.

Just so I understand . . . By swapping the tires and rims on the back . . . It gave you an effect like using spacers ???

Any negatives to doing this ?

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings,

Different responses and points of view are welcome. In my case . . when I do order my sub compact tractor . . because I'm going to be belly mower cutting blue grass lawn on 15 to 20+ degree hills . . I'm looking for the best advantages for it.

The idea of loading front tires by some opinions is that its an insignificant improvement. Others think front weights etc can be a help.

Obviously no front end loader when I'm doing the hills because of leveraged weight forward (my opinion). But I also don't think I'd choose weights either . . just because its axle weight.

I'm considering loading the front tires because any weight gain is ground contact weight . . not suspended axle weight - (best weight possible . . I'm guessing). But I'm happy to hear contrary opinions or reasoning.

So cost vs. gain is something I hear stated. So if I did it myself to keep cost down . . . would RimGuard still be the best choice? Or is another method preferred or another product a better consideration?

I'm planning on ordering turf tires rather than industrial . . but I'm also open to opinions on tire choices . . dealers seem to suggest industrial tires.

Factors to consider:
15 + 20 degree hills with up down and side hill cutting
Sub compact tractor
Blue grass
Turf tires
Belly mower attached and fel not attached
Rimguard or something else for loading

And of course can this be self loaded to keep cost/benefit in line for front tires?

 

[gordyy]

You can load them yourself with a $10.00 tool from tsc or any farm supply store. I used a plastic barrel hooked a hose to it and put a few pounds of air pressure in the barrel to speed it up. but that said your only going to get maybe 20 lbs per tire in the front? didn't look it up but rimguard used to have a guide that gave volume for tire size and don't forget don't fill up over rim level. Also the smaller size tire more RPMs you might get lifting when travelling fluid lifting in the tire from centrifical force is an awesome out of balance experience!!! been there never want to go back.

 

[bsinhc50]

Just so I understand . . . By swapping the tires and rims on the back . . . It gave you an effect like using spacers ???

Any negatives to doing this ?

If I recall it correctly, the tractors width gained about 7 inches, (3.5 on each side) which made it a lot more stable on hilly terrain. There was no negatives to it at all and it was done by my dealer when I had the tractor in for some service. After the dealer did it to my SC2400 he did it to every SC he sold and, as far as I know, nobody complained nor had any mechanical issues with it.

 

[scoutcub]

OK I'll weigh in here....
I have 3 compacts, SC 2400 being one of them. I loaded them all up on my trailer and brought them to the local tire place that sells rimgaurd. Wouldn't consider anything else, rimgaurd is essentially beet juice and environmentally friendly....and not so corrosive to tires/rims. Didn't even have to unload them from the trailer, they just undogged the chains and lifted the back end with a jack. Personally I prefer to let them do it with the correct equipment and knowledge, and the pumping/service fee was nominal.
As for loading the fronts.....it can be done but I also wonder what the weight benefit would be with such a small tire. If I were mowing with my SC I would keep the loader on..... unless there was clearance issues. Then add a weight box to the 3-pt for counterweight. More weight with a wider stance will greatly improve the slope abilities.

As for reversing the tires/rims....yes it can be done and will give you extra width/stability. Keep in mind the tires are essentially directional.....and by reversing the rims you are reversing the tread pattern on the tires.....but only for R4's and R1's. To be factory standard, you would need to dismount each tire from the rim and switch the tires around to face the opposite direction. Not a factor for turf tires, you can switch around as tread pattern remains constant.

 

[AxleHub]

Scoutcub,

In general a nice post . . especially relating to the tire direction. I kept wondering why no one said anything . . As it seemed the ag and industrial tires would have a decided traction disadvantage when reversed.

Keeping the fel on for added weight might be fine on flat land grass cutting . . but sidehill cutting could be a significant issue unless the hills are very tame angles. That elevated front bias but downhill leverage on a sidehill (even at 8 inches off the ground) . . would be not fun for me.

I'm especially intrigued that they could fill tires while still on the trailer . . very convenient.