Loading Turf tires

[Scotty Dive]

I remember reading in the operation manual not to ballast turf tires. Is that really true? Does that mean loading the tires or adding ballast to the 3pt?

And if so....why isn't it a good idea?

 

[284 International]

I don't know what the logic behind not ballasting turf tires would be. You are definitely safe to put a ballast box on the three point. Tractor tires are designed to carry the tractor with a load on the hitch.

I have ballasted turf tires before. I haven't operated them for the 30 years or more that my R1 tires have been ballasted. I don't see how there could be any issues. The general point of turf tires is to run on soft or delicate surfaces, like....turf. Heavy machines will cause ruts in the soil, so maybe the logic is to minimize rutting by keeping the machine as light as possible. You can fill a turf tire with much more ballast than an R1 tire of the same height.

 

[Thomas]

For years I had rear ballast plus loaded turfs,that extra bite of traction means lot when it comes to mower or fel use..more so on slopes.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I have slopes so its important to me. Is there any reason to partially fill a tire or should it be filled to normal capacity?

 

[Thomas]

Had my rear tire fill about 3/4...just remember when you check air pressure stem at top,than quick burst of air before taking reading.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Finally got my tires and rims....just installed. I haven't tried them out to see how well they do on uneven terrain but ran them over the lawn while it was soft and wet. It was also raining - no problems, no ripping it up.

BEFORE:

AFTER]Yanmar 2020D - Public pictures by divedivediver - Photobucket[/url]

 

[284 International]

Those sure look nice! Did you ballast them? What did you use, and how much? Let us know how you compare them for loader work, pulling ability, and so forth.

 

[winston1]

My mouth sort of drools. Can you tell any difference with your ground speed in gears. My understanding the turfs are just a little bit smaller diameter. Just wanting first hand info whether you can tell any difference.

 

[Ginormous]

Looks very, very nice. I'll have to add those to my wish list. :thumbsup:

 

[Scotty Dive]

So far I cannot tell any difference on ground speed - but I am probably not the guy to ask since I do not mow or use the tractor at consistent speeds. I did have them ballasted with 31 gallons each of rim guard. each tire/rim weighs in at 460#. I have to add that I was pretty concerned about how hard it would be to install a loaded tire onto the tractor. Even with the tires flat on the ground I could lift them vertical and roll them into place...with a little finnagling - I got each of the rears on in about 5-10 mins. Very easy for a guy who weighs in at 170 lbs.

They are a little shorter then my rice tires. I measured a before an after for ground clearance and it dropped about 1 inch. I was glad that it wasn't more as I use this tractor over rockly uneven terrain.

Also - these are 13.6 X 16 (rear) and 25 8.50 X 14 (fronts).

Next step is buying some chains for added traction in the sloppy parts of my property and for the snow....Any suggestyions on where to get chains? 2 link or 4?