I did not want to add fluid as we have a ton of mesquite at our ranch and flats are common. My tractor came with R4’s which don’t have any provisions for mounting wheel weights. I did some research and found that Kubota M5 500lb weights would fit in the wheels so I bought a couple and installed them. It was a bit of a chore but I am very pleased with the outcome.
I had to undo the valve stem and push it in so the weight would slide past it but once in it cleared. I then used wood shims to center the weight and hold it in place.
The holes in the weight are 7/8”. I wanted to use 7/8” bolts but I couldn’t find a 7/8” drill bit 10” long to drill down through the weights. I had a 12” 1/2” bit so I used a piece of 3/4” pipe in the hole to keep the bit centered and drilled a 1/2” hole in each of the four locations. I then took three pieces of 1/2” all thread and secured the weight to the wheel, flipped it over, and enlarged the holes one at a time to 7/8” adding bolts as I went.
I didn’t like how the bolt heads set up against the angled wheel.
I went and picked up some wedge or beveled washers commonly used when bolting I-beams together and it took two on each bolt to get the head to sit flush.
Wrestling the heavy wheel back in the tractor wasn’t easy by myself but I got it done. This would be much easier and safer with a helper. If this sucker fell you could be squashed like a bug.
I had to undo the valve stem and push it in so the weight would slide past it but once in it cleared. I then used wood shims to center the weight and hold it in place.
The holes in the weight are 7/8”. I wanted to use 7/8” bolts but I couldn’t find a 7/8” drill bit 10” long to drill down through the weights. I had a 12” 1/2” bit so I used a piece of 3/4” pipe in the hole to keep the bit centered and drilled a 1/2” hole in each of the four locations. I then took three pieces of 1/2” all thread and secured the weight to the wheel, flipped it over, and enlarged the holes one at a time to 7/8” adding bolts as I went.
I didn’t like how the bolt heads set up against the angled wheel.
I went and picked up some wedge or beveled washers commonly used when bolting I-beams together and it took two on each bolt to get the head to sit flush.
Wrestling the heavy wheel back in the tractor wasn’t easy by myself but I got it done. This would be much easier and safer with a helper. If this sucker fell you could be squashed like a bug.
