Tilting the Tractor

[Bird]

In my humble opinion (which of course could be wrong), your concern about the momentum of the liquid in the tires is good in theory, and of no concern in reality for a couple of reasons: (1) you're not going fast enough and changing directions fast enough for it to have much effect, and (2) properly filled tractor tires; i.e., 75% or to the top of the rim, means that the volume of liquid "sloshing" about is negligible. Liquid in the tires is recommended in the manuals, has been used for many, many years in tractors, and as fast as I've ever been able to run a tractor, change directions, etc. (whether my compact or a neighbor's big one), you would never know they had liquid in the tires unless you'd used them without it first and found you had more stability and more traction with the liquid ballast.

Bird

 

[beenthere]

I will agree with Bird. You won't be able to detect any difference between the liquid (other than it seems there would be more weight at the bottom of the tire - where the rubber meets the road, where you want the traction, and way below the center of gravity) and the steel wheel weights.

However, I have heard of tractors losing control (pitching wildly) from liquid in the tires when someone lets them coast down hills at excessive speeds. Kick them into neutral, and let them roll. Somewhere in the 35-45 mph range, the liquid starts to roll over the top in the tire, and causes severe stability problems. Most sane people do not let their tractors get up to that speed. As a kid, I was cautioned not to do this, but heard of others that unfortunately did do it.

 

[MReeter]

I hold your opinion very high.I know that liquid is the "extra weight" of choice.On a large Ag tractor,I would'nt think there would be any problems at all.I'm just stating what a retired Kubota Service Manager of 25 years told me.On small compacts ;B7500, that loading the rear tires puts a definate strain on the rear axles and trans.These tractors are much more agile than there big brothers,and move and change direction much quicker, thus the "momentum theory".I can't say one way or the other,I've never loaded any of our tires.I have operated larger Ag tractors when they were new and then after tires were filled,and yes you could tell a big difference in traction and the ride.I would assume you would get the same results on a compact.It's just in my opinion,I would opt for Steel Weights.

 

[Bird]

Mike, I would definitely defer to a 25 year Kubota service manager./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif And I would even have a little preference for wheel weights over the the liquid if the cost were the same, but since the weights cost more, and since my manual recommends the liquid, . . .well I guess I'll leave it in there./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[MReeter]

I think we can both agree that either liquid or steel would help traction and stability of any tractor,no matter what size it might be!!!!

 

[Bird]

Yep, that's a fact./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[glennmac]

Whatever the merits of the sloshing momentum theory, it shoulnt apply to Arnco Superflex foam fill. It cures into solid rubber that completely fills the tire. This is the tire ballast I would prefer if I did it over again, except for the fact that the cost is so high. I've now run across prices ranging from .99 to 1.25 per pound.

 

[r0GuE]

Glennmac
You are correct in your assesment that any weight added below the CG makes the vehicle less prone to flipping over. I would like to expand on that however;
The amount of distance from CG does indeed make a difference. This distance from the CG is called "moment" The greater the distance, the less weight you need to add to get the same result in stability. In an small airplane (or any airplane really), a pilot must calculate weight and balance to insure the proper loading. This makes the plane balanced. If the plane is not balanced (tail heavy) it could tip up (high angle of attack) and be unable to sustain flight (stall). If you were to move all the weight toward the front of the plane, this can usually be eliminated. That is unless you have grossly overloaded the aircraft like was done in the case of Aaliyah (singer whose aircraft crashed at the end of an airstrip when it impacted trees). My guess is that it was overloaded.
I digress.. Keep the weight low for max impact on performance.

Rogue