Operating loader without rear ballast

[cartod]

The only thing I would ad is that by using a quick detach on the 3pt. (like the JD Imatch) will extend your rear implement back another 6" giving even better ballast by increasing the length of the lever. I have nose dived my front end by not having enough balast. no fun!

 

[wrooster]

Redneck IT says "Tractors have brakes only on rear wheels and if those lose traction (and they will without a ballast) going downhill you will have very exciting ride to the bottom. "
...but, even if the back tires are completely off the ground, wouldn't pressing the rear brakes still stop you if you're in 4WD?

If that happens do not touch the brake pedal but instead immediately consider the "FEL down" control as the brake. Otherwise you are not going to like the results.

Wrooster

 

[Redneck in training]

Redneck IT says "Tractors have brakes only on rear wheels and if those lose traction (and they will without a ballast) going downhill you will have very exciting ride to the bottom. "

...but, even if the back tires are completely off the ground, wouldn't pressing the rear brakes still stop you if you're in 4WD?

That is exactly the point. You have to use four wheel drive to be able to use brakes.

 

[powerpace]

No one has mentioned the fact that steering with added weight in the bucket is a little different. It is very easy to roll the front tire off the rim if turning too sharp. Proper balancing will help prevent this.

 

[CobyRupert]

Adding rear ballast does add stress to the front in the sense that now you can pick up a greater weight with the FEL without lifting the rear tires, and thus place more stress on the front.

 

[RaydaKub]

Adding rear ballast does add stress to the front in the sense that now you can pick up a greater weight with the FEL without lifting the rear tires, and thus place more stress on the front.

But I'd be willing to bet that the design of the FEL and front axle take that into account. The hydraulic system has limits with the bypass. It would be really stupid to put on a hydraulic pump and cylinders that would allow you to lift 5000 lbs, but then only put a capacity of 2000 lbs into the front axle. And the whole idea of putting the ballast on the rear end *behind* the axle creates that 2nd fulcrum that actually makes the front end lighter and less stress than no with ballast.

 

[john_bud]

OK! Here's my question. Want to use my EX450 for truck garden farming. If the rear tires are loaded, will this tend to compact the soil and negate the tilling process? Would it be better to load the rears or to fabricate a load box that could be picked up on the 3 point when using the FEL and dropped when farming?

Actually, it's better to do both! The FEL will be more effective digging and more stable when transporting a full bucket with more weight on the rear tires. When farming, the ground engaging implements will be more effective with more traction. If there is too much tire slip, that will wear out the tires or leave you not moving. or both!


On compaction, I think it was Gary Fowler that said some is good. Yes, he is 100% spot on correct. For pastures especially, after tilling and spreading seed, running a cultipacker over it is highly beneficial for for greater germination rates. Before I found a rreasonably priced one, I would drive over the ground as much as possible to compact it and the seeds tight together. It's also better for erosion control to pack it. But like all things, moderation and balance. Just because some is good, that does not make too much better!

 

[Redneck in training]

Front end of some FWD tractors is not designed to transfer full engine power to the ground. That is a reason some dealers will not sell tractor without loaded rear tires. They want to avoid warranty repairs of broken drive shaft or gear in front axle.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Front end of some FWD tractors is not designed to transfer full engine power to the ground. That is a reason some dealers will not sell tractor without loaded rear tires. They want to avoid warranty repairs of broken drive shaft or gear in front axle.

I read here on TBN about a guy who was going downhill in 4wd, turned his wheels or hit a rock or something, and busted his drivetrain. Lost front-wheel drive entirely, although the tractor still worked in 2wd. It turned out that his model of tractor contains a sacrificial gear in the drivetrain that is designed to break under extreme stress and protect the other drivetrain components. I thought that was pretty cool.

 

[Redneck in training]

I read here on TBN about a guy who was going downhill in 4wd, turned his wheels or hit a rock or something, and busted his drivetrain. Lost front-wheel drive entirely, although the tractor still worked in 2wd. It turned out that his model of tractor contains a sacrificial gear in the drivetrain that is designed to break under extreme stress and protect the other drivetrain components. I thought that was pretty cool.

The sacrificial part is usually the drive shaft (its spline strips) because it can be replaced without taking the tractor apart.