Nearly went over.

[Gee Ray]

Incorrect.

When the tractor rear comes off the ground, the front axle is the fulcrum and both rear wheel weights and loaded tires provide some counterbalance.

However, the same rear wheel weight and/or loaded rear tire weight on the Three Point Hitch is much more effective due to leverage of weight positioned further to the rear.

The wheel weights and loaded tires do nothing to transfer the weight of the load from the front axle. The front axle remains the fulcrum. This results in the wear and tear of the front axle. It also stress the front tires which results in the tire coming off the rim due to an overload.

Ballast on the rear of the tractor will make the rear axle act as the fulcrum. At this point the larger stronger non-steering axle can hold the weight. The steer axle will now be lighter thus reducing wear and tear as well as reducing the possibility of damage to overloaded front tires.

The weight added to the rear axle allows the tractor to pick up more of a load. However it does not allow the stress of the load to be transferred from the front axle to the rear axle.

A semi truck is setting on a scale and the front axle is to heavy. You can add all the weight you want to the rear axle and the front axle will remain to heavy. Move the 5th wheel behind the rear axle, making the rear axle the fulcrum, and the weight will lighten on the front axle.

 

[cqaigy2]

Generally doesn't the weight on the rear wheels act like a longer lever on the front wheel fulcrum and resist lifting of the rear wheels? Not talking about weight transfer.

 

[Gee Ray]

The problem is more involved then simply making a longer lever so the tractor can lift the load. As you know the front axle is mounted on a pivot. When the front axle is the fulcrum you need to balance both front and back in addition to left and right. This is not ideal. The added weight behind the rear axle is required for stability. With the rear axle as the fulcrum the tractor becomes more stable. The rear tires firmly planted on the ground prevent the twisting of the tractor. This benefit is improved when the rear axle is the fulcrum for the loader. This is addition to reducing the load and wear on the front axle.


People use the larger tractors without the rear ballast but that does not mean they should. Just like speeding down the highway. You get away with it until you do not.

 

[Alien]

I have had a couple of frights when the rear wheel has run onto a rock while I'm working. Fronts offer no stability whatsoever. My little Kioti can only lift about 300 KG but the loaded rears can still lift up if I'm not careful.
Most of the time my Flail mower is on the back which helps a little.

 

[bunyip]

I plan on getting a hay spike or forks for the 3pl so i can pick up a round bale on the back and two on the front next hay cut, will save a few trips a i can fabricate a pallet to put on thus making it a carry all.
Was going to get a flail mower but the council cut the front of our new place every month, that has saved me a bit.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A guy does feel a bit smug when ones saves the day with fast reaction. Not just fast but appropriate reaction.

 

[Alien]

IF you do decide on a Flail, check out the Hayes line. I have been very happy with mine. Hayes are down in Vic. Mine was about $1800 at the time.

 

[bunyip]

Have a few Hayes implements, they are good but pity about the colour

 

[Alien]

I like it!

 

[Aquamoose]

IF you do decide on a Flail, check out the Hayes line. I have been very happy with mine. Hayes are down in Vic. Mine was about $1800 at the time.

Nifty! Is yours with knives or hammers?

 

[Alien]

I have the hammers. They do a beautiful finish cut on green grass. Mind you mine cut everything. .

 

[Aquamoose]

I’m looking to have a flail chop up small forest stuff for the purpose of reducing fuel. Think this will do well?

 

[Alien]

Mine chops green stuff up pretty good up to about 3/4" without hurting the hammers. Dry hard stuff it smashes and splinters up. I try not to use it on dry brush as maintenance would ultimately be higher. It chops lantana pretty good. In the 4 or 5 years I've had it I have sharpened the hammers properly just once. Gave them a touch up after some hard work another time. If you are doing brush then you will have to touch up your hammers if you plan on doing grass after.

 

[i7win7]

Rear wheel weights or loaded tires do nothing for ballast.

Loaded tires, the added weight is resting on the ground, not added to the frame. A rollover has to lift the extra weight beyond the tipping point. It does add some FEL ballast and lessens the chance of a rollover. I use loaded tires and 3pt ballast to keep my shorts where they belong.

 

[Jstpssng]

Why do you load tires if not for ballast? Using my 3301 with unloaded tires was like a carnival ride until I bought wheel weights; the rears were constantly coming off the ground. They still come up a bit easier than I would like but it's better than what it was.

 

[user.69169]

Tractor loader funny situation, boils down to 2 levers acting in opposition. Some argue is worst possible combination but one dat works best. Look at some de early cable loaders on tractors and argument pretty good.

Back few years used to be able to grab lot of spare tires companies hung under trailers pulled by owner operators at truckstops. OO used to help dem fall off rack to cut weight he pullin. Dey real poor fer tire, but dey hold air. Best had tubes. Really good fer weight in back of pickup fer winter traction, better if air replaced wid water. Even better fer counterweight on back of tractor wid loader.

Make pipe slips thru centerhole of wheel fer tire to ride on and you got maybe 800 pound counterweight you can easy mount er dismount as mood makes you in. Makes good back bumper too. Carry low fer best result.

 

[TheMan419]

The posting style of a single member is not the topic of this thread.

Amen. People should realize there is also a block function.

As for the OP topic, I rolled my tractor not too many months ago. So I understand. For me it was a task I had done a thousand times before. I just got too complaicant and the right front wheel got up in the manure pile and was enough to send me over. Rear tires are now loaded with Rim Guard. Also if I have a lot of loader work to do I hook up the tiller as extra ballast. That is 600 pounds against a lifting capacity of 1000 pounds for my loader. Makes everything much more stable.

Your 500kg addition will help. That and the loaded rears that you already have are a good thing.

 

[TheMan419]

Filled tires don't do much for lifting. You need weight on the 3 point.

My tires were not loaded until after I rolled the tractor. I would disagree. The tire is heavier now than it was and thus harder to get off the ground. It lowers the center of gravity of the tractor so makes it harder to tip.

It is not the end all be all and sufficient weight on the 3 point is certainly in order. OP is talking about adding just over half the weight of the item he is lifting to the 3 point. That will help out quite a lot.

 

[JethroB]

Why do you load tires if not for ballast? Using my 3301 with unloaded tires was like a carnival ride until I bought wheel weights; the rears were constantly coming off the ground. They still come up a bit easier than I would like but it's better than what it was.

Traction. We have to remember that tractors were originally designed for pulling and were 2wd.

 

[Rebeldad1]

As far as I am concerned he should be banned from the forum, it's quite obvious he does it intentionally. His post are nothing but spam at this point as I don't read them either. I plan to start reporting them as well.

Really? what are you going to report? that he talks different than you?
Just skip past like others do.