TC24DA Loaded Tires?

Tex22 · Mar 30, 2005

I've read all the posts on tire loading and wanted to here pro's and cons from guys with a TC24. I read somewhere that NH does not recomend it on the smaller tractors because it saps too much horse power. I know I'll need something. Just not sure if I should load tires or get a ballast box.
Thanks for the help.

Bob_Skurka · Mar 30, 2005

I'm pretty sure I read in my owners manual (I think the loader's manual?) that to get effective use of the loader you need to load the tires (or put wheel weights on) AND you need a ballast box.

I don't have mine loaded, but that is done on purpose (moist clay soil and a desire to have fewer tire ruts so the lovely Mrs_Bob doesn't yell at me). I do find the need to use the ballast box or a heavy implement when I use the loader with heavy materials.

Generally I can't imagine you could put enough weight on any small tractor to bog down the engine. You can easily overload the PTO on small tractors with big PTO powered implements, but as for sapping HP due to weight, that would be a real issue for a lot of other brands long before it would be an issue for the NH tractors. NH makes modestly heavy tractors, but just compare a TC24 to a Kioti CK20 or a Mahindra 2015 . . . both of those are good tractors, both are lower horsepower, both weigh more than the TC24 and I don't think either is underpowered for it's intended implement size. Again I think the thing that you can easily do to sap engine power is to put a great big mower deck, tiller, rotary cutter on a small tractor, and that is true for any brand.

EDIT: NH 12LA manual reads, Page 2-1 "Sufficient weight can be added to the tractor by filling the tires with liquid ballast, installing weheel weights or 3-point hitch counterweights. . . NOTE: Refer to page 3-7 for specific ballasing recommendations." Then on page 3-7 it gives combinations of liquid & solid wheel weights combined with recommended ballast box weights.

jwstewar · Mar 31, 2005

I haven't done it yet, but I was talking to Dad this weekend about loading my tires with windshield washer fluid. Dad changes tires for a living. Used to always to do the big ag type tires and forestry type equipment mostly. Now that he is getting older and starting to slow down a little (only 6 days a week now at work) he is down to doing just semi type tires and car tires. Light work, yeah. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Anyway, back to what I was going to say. I think we are guestimating about 20 gals. per tire. At roughly 8 lbs. per gallon, should gain me about 320 lbs. on the back. Don't really want it for mowing, but I do want it when using the cutter so it can't move the tractor around as much and for loader work.

Tex22 · Mar 31, 2005

Thanks fellas. I haven't taken delivery yet which is why I was asking and the dealer rep doesn't seem to know to much about the smaller tractors. I think I will go with ballast for now since I don't plan on any heavy loader work. Just want to be safe.

JW - There was a link on this forum that had a chart for tire size and added weight based on water. The 12-16.5 tire at 75% full will take about 21 gallons each adding 175 pounds per tire. I think WW would be about the same. There is also a beet juice based product made for loading which will add about 11 lbs per gallon .
Thanks for your help.

jwstewar · Mar 31, 2005

OK, thanks for the update on the info. I remember seeing that, but was too lazy /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif to go back and search for it. Was just using a swag, Glad to know I wasn't too far off. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

pekabu · Mar 31, 2005

My TC24d came with the tires loaded, an unexpected perk from my dealer. I believe it's calcium chloride. I've moved my tires around for the "wider" stance and it was'nt too bad, though I did not attemp to lift them. With my Midwest boxblade on, the back end still can get light with really big loads. I find the BH takes care of that.

I am kind of looking for a set of turfs for my tractors next role in life. The show up on eBay occasionaly.

If you are doing a lot of really heavy and hard loader work I would suggest it. If not, I would pass.

SacandagaBrad · Mar 31, 2005

( I haven't done it yet, but I was talking to Dad this weekend about loading my tires with windshield washer fluid. )

Jim - I had 20 gallons of washer fluid and tubes put in mine (same set up as yours, assuming you have turf tires) and it made a world of difference. I originally did not want any extra weight for mowing on my very soft clay rich lawn, but there are no problems with the extra weight. In fact, when running the tractor with the loader, even empty, it leaves less of a mark on the lawn because it balances out better. Before loading the tires, the front tires pressed into the lawn deeper. For loader work, much safer. I highly recommend it.

Brad

jwstewar · Apr 1, 2005

I have R4s. I think you made that statement somewhere else and that is finally what made me decide to do it. Thanks for the input. One of the things that I want to accomplish, a lot of times I'll be mowing along the front front ditch and the loader is on, I'll get the tractor at a weird angle and it'll pull the one back tire off the ground (no chance of flipping, just not enough articulation /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) so I'll have to use the diff lock or 4wd. I'm hoping to not have to do that w/ loading the tires.

SacandagaBrad · Apr 2, 2005

( I think you made that statement somewhere else and that is finally what made me decide to do it. )

I think it was in response to Compact1. The real kicker on mine was that the dealer had to locate my tractor from another lot and it came with turfs, tubed and loaded with calcium chloride. He said if I was willing to take it with the loaded tires, there would be no additional charge. Normally they will not allow a tractor of that size to go out the door with a loader unless the tires are loaded, but they knew I used to operate heavy equipment and understood the risks. What I didn't understand was the power of the loader and how unbalanced it was on a small tractor, so I was back with my tail between my legs within a few weeks to hand over a $100 bill for 40 gallons of bug juice, tubes, and the labor to fill them. I think the washer fluid was a good way to go, enough weight to make a significant difference, but not as much as if I had gone with the fully loaded CaCl tires. Live and learn!

Brad