Tire chains and homemade wheel weights

[Huskerplowboy]

As part of my preparations for this season of snow removal, I upgraded my 2320 a little. First off, I installed a set of chains that dad had tracked down for my rear tires last winter but I never got installed. Then, a couple nights ago, just a couple days before the first real snow we've had, I made a pair of wheel weights.

I have quite a few of these precast concrete "cookies" left over from building my shop a couple years back. I"d estimate them at 35-40 pounds each. They just fit into the outer portion of the rims. A few holes drilled with a hammer drill and some carriage bolts and I've got a little more weight on the back tires for traction on top of the benefit of the chains. Now I can really get myself stuck!

I know these aren't a lot of weight, but they can't hurt. Besides, I've personally dropped about 40 lbs since July, so I needed to make up some lost ballast!

 

[rsewill]

Congrats on repurposing the concrete as wheel weights to make up for your loss. Most of us go the other way.

 

[High Compression]

I remember my dad making wheel weights when I was a kid for our 1975 IH Cub Cadet. He found an old iron skillet that was the same size as the back wheels. The then made a blast furnace out of a propane torch and commenced to melt a couple of lead ingots down. Poured the molten lead into the skillet. Let it cool, drilled holes, painted them and bolted them on. I think he figured about 110 lbs per side. Pretty cool for a pharmacist.:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[neilandy]

I have quite a few of these precast concrete "cookies" left over from building my shop a couple years back. I"d estimate them at 35-40 pounds each. They just fit into the outer portion of the rims. A few holes drilled with a hammer drill and some carriage bolts and I've got a little more weight on the back tires for traction on top of the benefit of the chains. Now I can really get myself stuck!

Its really very informative idea ...I also do agree with "rsewill" view that most of the people take the other option...

 

[8404]

I guess you take your wheel off and lay it on its side "level" plug all the wheel lug holes and stuff then poor the hot lead into the tire rim itself, then let it cool off and drill the holes to bolt the lead weight into place. i cant imagine buying that much lead anywhere though.
i forgot about the air stem i guess it would need to be done air stem removed.

 

[45LC]

My uncle was very involved in shooting, he cast bullets & did his own reloading, I remember him using a lot of wheel weights. Someone might be able to scrounge the lead from tire shops. Most important part of smelting lead is ventilation.

 

[RobertN]

Someone here a few years back, posted about making an adapter for his rear wheels. Then, he put "Olympic" weights on the adapter; the weights used in gyms while bench pressing etc. Worked well, and was easy to change as needed. I remember he could stack a few 45lb plates on each side.

Might be worth a search here on TBN...