Tire pressure with FEL?

[CliffordK]

When not doing FEL work, should the tire pressure be brought down at all? If you are mowing with R4s, is there an ideal pressure to reduce turf impact?

As mentioned, my problem is that the tire pressure is fine for driving, but when I use the FEL, the front tires smash and the tractor tips. Keep the tire pressures high.

 

[greg_g]

KISS principle: set loader pressure and leave it there

 

[megaboz]

Other than some traction and better ride, I would not "air down" the tires in between, and if you do, I would do it when you need it versus airing them up for when you need it. That way you are covered for the loads and sometimes you can live with the rougher ride if they are aired up. I find when they are aired up, they tend to not do as much damage to the turf then when there is lower pressure.

 

[sunnyside360]

Have had several compact tractors with FEL's and always set tire pressure to what is specified in the FEL manual which is usually slightly above what is stated in the tractor manual. I don't drop the pressures when the loader is removed. Have done this for many years and have never had an issue.

 

[milkman636]

I agree with keeping pressures higher in the fronts, but not necessarily at max pressure. On my smaller tractor I run the fronts between 35 and 40 even though the sidewall max is 45. The center of the tire seems to bulge out a little with an empty bucket at 45 psi. Its flatter in the upper 30's and the side walls still seem stiff with a heavy load, under 35 psi I have noticed some flex when turning with a heavy load. My larger tractor also handles heaped buckets fine with only 35 psi in the fronts. My thoughts are that just like with the rears, the fronts will probably perform better if they aren't running any higher pressure than necessary.