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

[TBarD]

Just a guess, but it is standard backhoe technique to use the hoe to lift the whole backend of the tractor off the ground to line up on a trench, step over a ditch, etc. There is not a whole lot of point in having the tires filled with an extra thousand pounds when doing this. Probably wouldn't hurt much but the manufacturer's recommend unloading the tires for extended backhoe use. I don't think it would be an issue for the stabilizers, they should be plenty strong enough to deal with loaded tires.

 

[rockshaft]

Just a guess, but it is standard backhoe technique to use the hoe to lift the whole backend of the tractor off the ground to line up on a trench, step over a ditch, etc. There is not a whole lot of point in having the tires filled with an extra thousand pounds when doing this. Probably wouldn't hurt much but the manufacturer's recommend unloading the tires for extended backhoe use. I don't think it would be an issue for the stabilizers, they should be plenty strong enough to deal with loaded tires.

I don't think moving the machine around with the hoe was recommended on the JD4310 (or 1026R). But I don't disagree with your assessment about the extra weight making it more difficult. On a SCUT, the added weight of tire fill is ~150#, hard to believe that would be a problem for anything!

 

[TBarD]

I don't think moving the machine around with the hoe was recommended on the JD4310 (or 1026R). But I don't disagree with your assessment about the extra weight making it more difficult. On a SCUT, the added weight of tire fill is ~150#, hard to believe that would be a problem for anything!

You are right it probably depends upon the tractor and how the hoe is mounted (with anything less than a subframe mount you probably wouldn't want to lift the tractor with the hoe). On my TLB with integral hoe the hoe can easily lift the tractor, but the user manual still says to not load the tires when using the hoe (I haven't tried it yet but I suspect it would still be ok though!). Loading the rear tires adds 1200 lbs or so I think. For a smaller tractor everything scales down but probably a similar case holds.

 

[tractchores]

Just some thoughts as I have a B2920 w/ loaded rears and BH. I had the same recommendation in the manual, though the dealer claimed they loaded every tractor and never had an issue. I don't think its due to load on the stabilizers, mine lift the tractor right off the ground with no issue (I suspect the reason they don't recommend that is that you could actually tip the tractor with the BH by yanking on something if its up high, much harder to tip with the tires just touching). I don't think it's due to the moving the machine with the BH issue as I can move my machine around easily with the BH with loaded tires. The BH is really heavy, in my case almost as much as the bare bones tractor itself, so maybe the recommendation is because it does make the whole thing back heavy, though I haven't noticed any issues. Braking has not been an issue even on VERY steep hills with the BH on as well.

I personally would load the tires. It helps when using the FEL, but it also just makes a huge difference in overall stability if you have any kind of hills. The loaded tires may even help a bit when using the BH, at least in my case I can easily pull the tractor around if I catch a rock or particularly tough roots, so the more weight the better.

 

[schweizer]

My backhoe stays on the tractor most of the time, and I have filled tires. The outrigger cylinders are not able to lift the back end of the tractor off the ground w/ the tires filled. And I've never been able to move the tractor around w/ the hoe because of the extra tire weight (700 lbs x 2), presumeably.

Could it be because of these limitations they recommend against it?

Also, I can imagine lateral loads on the lug nuts being increased. Think about swinging the hoe quickly right <--> left. Air filled tires would be able to absorb the side-to-side shock easier. Water filled tires would not, and the side load/impact would transfer to the lugs and axle. Of course, the outriggers are also carrying a bunch of that load, too.

Marcus

 

[Verticaltrx]

Not sure why Kubota recommends not loading the tires, other than most people wouldn't need to. I personally can't see any reason not to. Also, Kubota has a tendency to say some weird things in their manuals, sometimes even contradictory in one manual vs. another (owners vs. shop manual for example.) I attribute this to the fact that some things get lost or misunderstood in translation and also that the Kubota Industrial division which makes the loaders and backhoes is a different entity than Kubota Tractor of Japan.

Regardless, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Can't see it being an issue with stabilizers, Kubota uses the BH77 on both the L3200/3800 and the Grand L3240, all of which are much heavier than the B's. Also the lug nuts should not be an issue, the machined shoulder on the end of the axle is what carries the weight, not the studs. The B's use the same style sub-frame as the B26 so strength shouldn't be an issue there. IDK, like I said, Kubota sometimes say some weird things...

 

[Ugarte]

Very helpful discussion. I've decided to go with the loaded tires, buy a large torque wrench, and be careful about lifting the back end with the stabilizers.

Delivery day is tomorrow. I'll post some pics on the weekend.