More is better...Less is better...

   / More is better...Less is better... #31  
<font color=blue>…Wheel weights and loaded tires are good, but 3pt weight might be better…</font color=blue>

Need both for optimum results… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The smaller the tractor (lesser mass) with a loader… proper ballast becomes an even more important issue…

Two things should be done…

1) by loading the rear tires either with liquid fill or use wheel weights or combination of both… this will make the tractor much more stable… (imagine tying a moveable anchor of say an additional 1500 lbs. to your COG)

2) use a 3-pt ballast weighted accordingly to take the stress and strain off the front tires and front axle (not uncommon to have 2000 lbs. hanging off the back)

With the right combinations of ballast, and while still maintaining control of your steering and keeping the front end on the ground… you will actually lift up and move a greater capacity of weight in your bucket than the mfr. spec’s indicate… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #32  
Here is an interesting tidbid from another thread:
<font color=blue>we have had Deere start to balk on paying warrantys on frontend failures when no ballast is used on the tractor

IMPORTANT: Total ballast requirements consist of:
An optional choice for wheel weighting, plus
Mandatory 3-point hitch weight</font color=blue>

You can click here</font color=green> to read the whole post.

1/29/03 11:21 PM Addendum

Sorry to all who have tried the "link" in this post. It worked earlier this evening when this post was originally made (09:06 PM). The blue text is a direct copy/paste from the "link". The "link" post seems to have been deleted.
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #33  
John,

You beat me to it.

<font color=blue>Wheel weights and loaded tires are good, but 3pt weight might be better.</font color=blue>

And both are probably best. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

OkieG
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #34  
Agreed. 3pt weight results in rear tires acting as pivot point, reducing force on front axle. Wheel weights or fluid ballast do not, although they do help to stabilize and keep rear down.
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #35  
John,

I use wheel weights on my BX2200 Kubota. I also use rear ballast on the 3PH when using the FEL. I had been thinking of adding liquid ballast to the rear tires for extra weight and traction. I then discovered that the Operator's Manual warns against using wheel weights and liquid ballast at the same time. It says it could cause transmission damage. I imagine that the larger tractors can use both at the same time without worrying about that kind of damage but owners of the Kubota BX models should beware of doing so.
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #36  
Just out of curiousity, what would be the upper limit of weight added to the rear tires? Both from the standpoint of the tires themselves and the tractor axle (though I guess there's not much wear on the axle since the weight is directed down?-I'm not a physics major!). I'm considering superflex, which adds 412 pounds to each tire. The tractor weighs about 3800 without the extra weight and is 35 hp.
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #37  
<font color=blue>Need both for optimum results…</font color=blue>

Well said John.

My manual states that the tires should be filled and or weighted and to add ballast to the three point hitch as well. It even goes on to state what the acceptable front / rear weight distribution is. I don't have it in front of me to quote exactly.

If I get a chance I'll sketch up a Fee Body Diagram showing what MDnick described.

Randall,
You are absolutely right, the front axle will last longer if you only lift what you can w/o using ballast. Problem is on the small tractors, they can't lift a usefull amount w/o the ballast. If my manual states to add weight, then I assume that they've designed the front axle to handle it for the servicable lifetime. Trouble is, how long is the service life?

Regarding the little screws that hold the tranny together. They are loaded in tension which is what screws do best. A grade 8 1/4" bolt will fail at around 4,000 pounds, a 3/8 will fail arounf 9,000# (per bolt). Yes tractors do split, but they are either grossly under-engineered or grossly abused.
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #38  
<font color=blue>Problem is on the small tractors, they can't lift a usefull amount w/o the ballast.</font color=blue>

Where ballast is real helpful is when lifting even a moderate load with bucket forks. The moment arm really magnifies the impact (leverage) of the item being lifted. It can make the rearend real light. I think that is a good demonstration (in reverse) of how effective 3pt counterweight can be at easing the force on the front axle.

A couple years ago our SAMs Club had broken up a section of parking lot concrete in preparation for installing gas pumps. A Deere TLB (probably a 310) was clearing the broken pieces from the parking lot to a dump truck. You know how little the front tires are on those commercial TLBs. The TLB operator dug his bucket deep into the concrete pile and began to lift. The concrete didn't budge, but his rear tires, including backhoe raised right up off the ground with no hesitation. Tires were a couple feet in the air before he eased them back down. Amazing power!...and amazing force applied to the front axle. I wonder if those commercial units have front axle trouble?
 
   / More is better...Less is better... #39  
Yes, they do, I have seen the front spindles of a couple that had parted company of the axle.
Construction equipment takes a pounding that most homewoner folks would never put their cut through.
As an equipment operator, I do work my personal rig on the high end of it's capacity, that is why I don't fill the tires, just have the mower or tiller back there. I do make more trips, but haven't had any problems with the axle or noticed any oil seepage from the trans housings either. Like one fellow said."that's my story and I'm sticking to it."
 

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