To load or not to load; That is the question.

rtd · Mar 26, 2012

I hadn't thought of that, but...

If the backhoe bucket were in the ground and the operator was pulling up to remove a tree root or rock, the downward force on the outriggers could be much greater the the several hundred pounds of liquid ballast.

powerstroke444e · Mar 26, 2012

Only thing I could see is the braking issue but not the lug nut story???
On these little tractors its hard to keep the rear on the ground during loader operations no matter what you have on the back.

Ductape · Mar 27, 2012

rtd said:
I hadn't thought of that, but...

If the backhoe bucket were in the ground and the operator was pulling up to remove a tree root or rock, the downward force on the outriggers could be much greater the the several hundred pounds of liquid ballast.

These aren't commercial TLBs anyway.... you shouldn't be jacking the tractor off the ground when using the backhoe, so I don't see an issue.

rtd · Mar 27, 2012

Getting back to the original question - loading the rear tires:

Are you almost totally certain that you'll never get a flat tire? If the chances of running over a Honey Locust or Hawthorn thorn(s) are about zero, then load the tires.

crazyal · Mar 28, 2012

Load them and after using the backhoe check your lug nuts and see if any loosened up. I don't see them loosening but who knows, better safe than sorry.

rockshaft · Mar 28, 2012

I've read this about not using loaded tires with a back hoe as well.

I ordered my machine loaded with Rimguard, and I intend to throw some wheel weights on as well- I guess I'll really be putting this to the test!

magicheater · Mar 28, 2012

whistlepig said:
I wonder why they would recommend removing the ballast when using the backhoe.

Normally the outriggers pick up the rear end of the tractor when working. Just a guess but maybe they are covering some cylinder warranty issues?

rockshaft · Mar 28, 2012

magicheater said:
Normally the outriggers pick up the rear end of the tractor when working. Just a guess but maybe they are covering some cylinder warranty issues?

IME the outriggers are more than able to lift the machine's tires off the ground, but my manual says they aren't to be used for this purpose- just to stabilize, in which case I don't see where more tire weight makes much difference.

magicheater · Mar 28, 2012

rockshaft said:
IME the outriggers are more than able to lift the machine's tires off the ground, but my manual says they aren't to be used for this purpose- just to stabilize, in which case I don't see where more tire weight makes much difference.

Hence the warranty claim issue. I don't "Know" why they say that, just guessing. Perhaps the dealer might shed some light on it. Are you enjoying the machine?

rockshaft · Mar 28, 2012

magicheater said:
Hence the warranty claim issue. I don't "Know" why they say that, just guessing. Perhaps the dealer might shed some light on it. Are you enjoying the machine?

I haven't received my 1026R yet, but I've read that this topic applies the same way it did to my 4310. If I was doing lite work with the 4310 hoe I wouldn't even bother to drop the stabilizers. The newer stabilizers look a little less hefty- so if I had to make a guess, I would say the warnings have to do with either damaging the stabilizers or the subframe.