Rear Wheel Weights

[RaydaKub]

Seems to me that more traction and more stability are opposite goals in this situation.

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes. They will lower your center of gravity but not by as much as the same amount of liquid weight inside the tires.
Also you can usually put more weight inside the tires then is practical to put outside in cast iron.

Kickin' the theoretical can here:
Isn't that statement based on the assumption that the center of gravity (COG) is above the axle to begin with (thus putting more weight at the axle height lowers COG)? Id say this is true for most tractors, by themselves.
...but if your driving that tractor with an implement (say on the 3 PTH) that places the COG of the unit below axle height, wouldn't adding wheel weights actually RAISE your COG?

 

[vtsnowedin]

Kickin' the theoretical can here:
Isn't that statement based on the assumption that the center of gravity (COG) is above the axle to begin with (thus putting more weight at the axle height lowers COG)? Id say this is true for most tractors, by themselves.
...but if your driving that tractor with an implement (say on the 3 PTH) that places the COG of the unit below axle height, wouldn't adding wheel weights actually RAISE your COG?

Yes that is the assumption and usual case. Adding a loader also raises the COC. Each piece you add on changes the exact position but you can look at each piece independently. Adding fluid in the tires lowers the COG as compared to the bare tractor. Adding the loader raises it whether or not you have fluid in the tires. Adding iron weights centered around the axle lowers it as long as it is not already lower then the axle level of the tractor. And adding weight to the 3PH can lower it if the load is held lower then the COG and raise it if the load can be raised above the present COG. The loader lifting a load above hood level is a real culprit here, the 3PH not so much as your talking feet with the loader and inches with the 3PH. It is the sum total of all the loads and their positions that resolves where the COG is but the order you add them up in makes no difference.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Kickin' the theoretical can here:
Isn't that statement based on the assumption that the center of gravity (COG) is above the axle to begin with (thus putting more weight at the axle height lowers COG)? Id say this is true for most tractors, by themselves.
...but if your driving that tractor with an implement (say on the 3 PTH) that places the COG of the unit below axle height, wouldn't adding wheel weights actually RAISE your COG?

Yes that is the assumption and usual case. Adding a loader also raises the COC. Each piece you add on changes the exact position but you can look at each piece independently. Adding fluid in the tires lowers the COG as compared to the bare tractor. Adding the loader raises it whether or not you have fluid in the tires. Adding iron weights centered around the axle lowers it as long as it is not already lower then the axle level of the tractor. And adding weight to the 3PH can lower it if the load is held lower then the COG and raise it if the load can be raised above the present COG. The loader lifting a load above hood level is a real culprit here, the 3PH not so much as your talking feet with the loader and inches with the 3PH. It is the sum total of all the loads and their positions that resolves where the COG is but the order you add them up in makes no difference.

 

[budepps3760]

Explain to me about setting your tires to the widest setting possible. Have no idea what ya'll are talking about or how to do it. Can any tractor have this done to it? Seems like it would place a strain on the axle system.

 

[vtsnowedin]

No not all tractors can be easily adjusted for width without adding in after market spacers. The rims they come with are one position only. Many mid sized and utility tractors have two piece rims and center disks that can be bolted up in up to eight different combinations to achieve the tread width that fits the row spacing of the crop being grown. There is more strain on the bearings at the wider settings but the tractors are overbuilt by design to allow for this. In the picture below I have my tractor set to the eighth(widest ) position PLUS have 4.1 inch spacers to give me the best possible side stability without adding dual rear tires.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Here's my spacers, between the center dish and the outter rim. Yes, it will accelerate rear wheel bearing wear. But the added stability might mean that I live to replace them, rather than widow my wife and orphan my kids.