Tires Tires, filled or not?

[gerard]

Why do you think that there is no advantage to having the fronts filled?

You get better traction, the tire holds a load better and in my opinion, the tractor rides better.

I wouldn't fill the fronts. While you WILL get a little better traction from your front wheels, you really don't want the traction there, you want it on the rear tires. (Look at the gearing sizes for each differential. Which do you want to feed more power to? Fronts are made to assist, not do the bulk of the work. They also do nothing for ballast since in that case you need the weight on the rear for loader work. I agree it probably won't hurt but for the negligible advantage, I won't do it)

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I wouldn't fill the fronts. While you WILL get a little better traction from your front wheels, you really don't want the traction there, you want it on the rear tires. (Look at the gearing sizes for each differential. Which do you want to feed more power to? Fronts are made to assist, not do the bulk of the work. They also do nothing for ballast since in that case you need the weight on the rear for loader work. I agree it probably won't hurt but for the negligible advantage, I won't do it)

They do nothing for ballast for loader work as you have said, but for about any rear implement work it is a help. If the front end won't hold up to the minor amount of additional mass that the fluid adds, then I have the wrong tractor. The fluid mass in the front tires is no where as damaging to the tractor as the weight and bouncing of the FEL is. As far as the little advantage that filling the front tires adds, in my book every little bit helps, it can make what I do just a tad bit easier.

Just my opinion on what works for me in my circumstances.

 

[Gittyup]

I have filled rears and love the added traction and stability. But, I thought of loading the fronts because they are nearly useless with a heavy 3 pt implement driving forward up hill. But, if I do it, it will probably be foam not rimguard. The only issue is how much added weight will it actually give me, 60 - 100 lbs? Might be better off with front suitcase weights.

 

[lilranch2001]

My manual also said not to have your tires foamed, I would like to have them foamed if only for the "no flat tire" aspect

 

[SPYDERLK]

I wouldn't fill the fronts. While you WILL get a little better traction from your front wheels, you really don't want the traction there, you want it on the rear tires. (Look at the gearing sizes for each differential. Which do you want to feed more power to? Fronts are made to assist, not do the bulk of the work. They also do nothing for ballast since in that case you need the weight on the rear for loader work. I agree it probably won't hurt but for the negligible advantage, I won't do it)

That weight in filled fronts helps when you want down pressure -- backdragging or digging. Also the weight is not supported by the axle bearings like chassis borne weights which is good. The front gearing of some tractors is quite strong. I know the 7520 is because I can lift 2 tons with the loader and push. The fronts are doing everything and its pretty easy to get enuf traction for them to stall 2nd gear.
larry

 

[littlejohn2009]

If the front end won't hold up to the minor amount of additional mass that the fluid adds, then I have the wrong tractor. The fluid mass in the front tires is no where as damaging to the tractor as the weight and bouncing of the FEL is. As far as the little advantage that filling the front tires adds, in my book every little bit helps, it can make what I do just a tad bit easier.

Just my opinion on what works for me in my circumstances.

Just remember that the counter wts on the front are on the frame. Where the fluid in the tires put the wt below the pivot point of the axle. There might be more stress there then necessary.

One thought of fluid in the front tires is the affect it has on steering, and the load it puts on the power steering cylinders in soft ground.

My vote is for counter wts. that you hang and remove on the frame.

 

[captin_insano]

I dont fill my tires because of the hydraulic resistance it creates. Not a big deal if your just plowing a field in lower gears but if you spend more time mowing and moving faster the fluid eats up a bit of power. probably not a concern for gear tractors but with the HST I prefer to just add and remove weight as I need it.

 

[dex3361]

I would not fill the front tires on the CUT type tractors. The front tires unfilled air space acts as shock absorber compressing and dampening the shock loads. If you fill the fronts there is not enough air space to compress enough to provide adequate dampening. The larger Utility sized tractors with larger Front tires would have enough air space to allow for compression. You can add front wheel weights as this or bumper weights would not effect the shock absorbing ability of the tires.

 

[Gil Case]

My CUT Kioti ck20hst was very light in the front end with the backhoe on and you cannot use front weights with Fel - no room. So I had the fronts filled with foam- they now weigh more than 100lbs each. Now I can steer going up hills with fel empty. Rears not filled since I have back hoe on most of summer and snow blower all winter.