To fill or not to fill

[MoPops]

I was quoted $3/gal (over the phone + install) the guy at the home office is thinking 70 gal. (Max)

I need to get in touch with the local distributor. I have the industrial tires on my CT 225. The spec sheet lists 15 x 19.5 for the rears, but that's the AG tire. Anyone have the correct tire size handy for the industrial tires? Thanks

 

[k0ua]

I ran the first 40+ hrs. without filling then trying to decide if I wanted filled tires I bought the fill adapter at TSC and filled with water. Within a week I drained the water and filled with anti-freeze mix and haven't looked back. Besides adding stability, the operation I found most improved is traction loading the bucket. Without fill it was necessary to use 4wd just trying to scope loose topsoil I had delivered. With filled rears I can load he bucket in loose soil in 2wd just as easily as it was in 4wd non-filled.

If you do fill the tires continue to use rear ballast on the 3 point when lifting heavy loads in the FEL. Loaded tires help keep rear on the ground but do nothing to offset the heavy load on front axle with FEL loaded close to capacity.

This was pretty much my experience with my previous tractor a Kubota L3400hst. It was delivered with just air in the tires, and I used it that way for some time. I immediately set about building my ballast barrel, because without it, the tractor was scary.. Really scary around here on slopes with just a light blade on the back. I filled the tires and it made a big difference in the tractors ability to scoop, and push, and a big difference on the slopes around here also.

Of course I continued to use my 3pt ballast, but even with it on, I was still occasionally able to raise the rear tires off of the ground. After I filled the tires, that problem was solved. So overall I counted the filling of the rear tires as a good thing.. Of course I never had any punctures, so I might have change my tune if that had happened.

On my current tractor, I ordered it with filled tires, so I never operated it without. But you still need proper ballast on the rear when doing FEL work. Of course when you are operating for instance a rear blade, that ballast barrel is not doing me any good at all just setting there. And I am very glad I at least have the filled tires for some traction.

 

[k0ua]

I was quoted $3/gal (over the phone + install) the guy at the home office is thinking 70 gal. (Max)

I need to get in touch with the local distributor. I have the industrial tires on my CT 225. The spec sheet lists 15 x 19.5 for the rears, but that's the AG tire. Anyone have the correct tire size handy for the industrial tires? Thanks

I think the 15 x19.5 are the Industrial size.. That is what I had on the L3400.

 

[arrow]

I was quoted $3/gal (over the phone + install) the guy at the home office is thinking 70 gal. (Max)

I need to get in touch with the local distributor. I have the industrial tires on my CT 225. The spec sheet lists 15 x 19.5 for the rears, but that's the AG tire. Anyone have the correct tire size handy for the industrial tires? Thanks

15x19.5 are industrial tires. They take 34 gallons per tire at 75% fill according to Firestone chart.

 

[MoPops]

I think the 15 x19.5 are the Industrial size.. That is what I had on the L3400.

Perfect. I told the guy that sells the rim guard that 15x19.5 were the AG tire specs the industrials were close, maybe a bit wider. He thought closer to 50 gallons of juice. (@$2.40 gal) would be enough. So I'm set for Thursday to meet him up there.
I'm a little reluctant to admit it, but I've never worked out the rear ballast, or filled the tires. I've used the loader a lot. To haul a lot of logs, and dirt and rocks. I've had the rears off the ground too many times. Scared the crap out of me a few times. This is a start to making things a little safer. Saving a few $$ and taking too much of a risk. Of course, going to my 4th funeral this summer has me thinking about some things also. (Nothing tractor related in any of the funerals)
Glad this post got started. (Sorry for the hijack)

 

[MoPops]

15x19.5 are industrial tires. They take 34 gallons per tire at 75% fill according to Firestone chart.

Thanks! I know how much this'll end up costing now.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

MoPops, filling the tires is like getting a different tractor. So in reality, you are spending a few dollars to get yourself a different tractor, trust me, it will seem like a different tractor. A much improved tractor IMO, I know both of mine were.

 

[MoPops]

Good news. Thanks for the info. There's a ton of stuff I need (grapple) but I am limited on $$.
Decided this needed to be done.

 

[k0ua]

Good news. Thanks for the info. There's a ton of stuff I need (grapple) but I am limited on $$.
Decided this needed to be done.

When you get it done, come back and tell us what you think about the addition.

 

[buickanddeere]

In an ideal world the tires would be dry and enough cast iron weight could be bolted to the wheels.

 

[tman1020]

Well my tire size with the industrial tires is 15 x 19.5 also. I called the rim guard dealer by me today and I was quite a bit off on my price. He says it holds 29 gallons per tire which is approximately 75% full at $4.06 a gallon plus about a half hour labor to install. Total cost of $295. That still doesn't sound horrible for the premium product and 620 pounds of total weight added.

 

[MoPops]

When you get it done, come back and tell us what you think about the addition.

Be happy to. I really haven't had a lot of traction problems, but it seems like I'm in the timber a lot. No way could I work with too much sticking out on the 3 pt. I'd be hitting trees quite a bit.

 

[k0ua]

Well my tire size with the industrial tires is 15 x 19.5 also. I called the rim guard dealer by me today and I was quite a bit off on my price. He says it holds 29 gallons per tire which is approximately 75% full at $4.06 a gallon plus about a half hour labor to install. Total cost of $295. That still doesn't sound horrible for the premium product and 620 pounds of total weight added.

That sounds about right to me.

 

[radioman]

Well -- I never saw this thread till now. IMHO, if you added a 400 lbs cab - you raised your center of gravity on the tractor. filling the tires will bring the cog down lower. I wouldnt be so concerned about trailer capacity. its a tractor not a truck where every lb counts on the road and the tractor can handle the extra weight if needed.

 

[tman1020]

i agree adding weight to my tires would help lower my center of gravity especially with the cab. i am a bit worried that if it ever did get tippy with the cab that i would not have any warning and it would happen very fast with no way to recover. I'm thinking about filling them just for this. i have rolled a tractor before its not any fun I'm lucky to be sitting here typing this. the weight capacity i was referring to was of my transport trailer that i hall the tractor on. i plan on upgrading it soon but for now it will just have to do.

 

[MoPops]

Well, got it done right after lunch. Took about a half hour. He pumped them full until it was coming back out. Guesstimate total at 45 gal. Cost was $232. Included a $75 serv chg, and a $9 fuel chg.
All I will say is wow! It really made a difference. Both in traction, but mostly in using the FEL. It's like a different tractor. Wish I would have done it right away.
FYI, I'm about as far from an expert with tractor performance characteristics as you can get. If I can tell this much difference. You all will really be able to tell.
Went into the woods behind the house. I've been wanting to clear out some down trees. Muddy hillside. Heavy logs. Felt much more stable, and solid.

 

[tman1020]

thats great to hear, I'm glad you are happy with it. I'm surprised it only took 45 gal. That is a lot less than what i was told. they were saying more like 29 gal. per tire.

 

[MoPops]

thats great to hear, I'm glad you are happy with it. I'm surprised it only took 45 gal. That is a lot less than what i was told. they were saying more like 29 gal. per tire.

Surprised me also. He brought out 100 gallons, just in case. But he filled them until it was coming back out the valve. I ran it up and down the highway in high range at about 2500 rpm, just to see if they felt different on the road. I couldn't feel any difference. (Running at 30 psi, is that where you guys run yours?)

 

[pmsmechanic]

I run my tires as low a pressure as possible taken out of the owners manual. You have better traction and the ride is so much smoother. I rarely have heavy implimemts on the three point anyways.

 

[MoPops]

I run my tires as low a pressure as possible taken out of the owners manual. You have better traction and the ride is so much smoother. I rarely have heavy implimemts on the three point anyways.

Not really sure how I can lower the pressure. If I open up the valve stem, beat juice comes out. Ha
I'm sure it'll destroy a normal gauge.
Thx