Water in Tires?

[SPYDERLK]

I use plain water in the 7520 here in central Virginia ... tubeless. Freezing is some problem after Jan 1, but seldom builds up enuf that I feel I have to let it sit. Well worth it for economics and all around convenience.
,,,larry

 

[FTG-05]

While they may look cool, steel weights, water/beet juice etc. in the tires is not a counter weight. They are useful for traction on the rear only. I say this because it doesn't remove any load from the front tires when using the FEL. In order to counter the weight of the FEL and load, the counterweight has to be behind the rear wheels. The further the counter weight sticks out behind the rear tires the better it works, to the extent that it doesn't start to be a maneuvering problem. A heavy 1000+ pound bush hog or disk makes a good counter weight. A 1000# tiller, box blade or ballast box that sets close to the tires wont be nearly as much use due to the shorter lever of the weight.

Oh yeah regarding use of steel weights. Weights are expensive to buy at around $2 per pound so that is why most folks use liquid ballast. 3 or 4 sets of 100# weights could set you back $1500 if bought new and at least $800 used if you can find any that will fit your tractor.

This is why I built my wheel weights out of lead, steel and concrete. About 260 lbs each. I made provisions to attach 45-100 barbell weights to the outside, assuming I find any for cheap.

 

[tcreeley]

A counter weight is anything on the other side of a pivot point. If the pivot point is the front tires/axle due to a loaded bucket of gravel, etc., then loaded rear tires or steel weights on rear tires are counter weights. Your choice- 3pt counter weight, loaded tires, steel weights. They all have their uses.

 

[davrow]

If the pivot point is the front tires/axle

I believe this is a conceptual problem. You cannot pivot on the front axle, all you can do is compress it until it breaks. Okay, more precisely, you CAN use the front axle as a pivot but you would have to have more weight in the bucket than the entire tractor weighs, and since the front axle is single-point bearing, the tractor will instantly fall over at that point. So it is purely theoretical.

Loaded tires do not act as a counterweight for front axle pivoting in practice, they act as additional downforce on the front axle (until you reach the point of tipping over or breaking the axle).

A counterweight behind the tractor does pivot on the rear tires, thus relieving weight from the front tires/axle.

 

[PHIL850]

Loaded rear tires put zero weight on the front Axle. in fact the weight isn't even on the rear axle. It is directly on the ground via the tires. Yes you can pivot on the front axle. Pick up a heavy weight such as a bucket full of gravel with no weight on the rear and yes you can stand the tractor on its nose. Been there done that and wont do it again.

 

[tonyoz]

Your spot on Phil, I've operated farm tractors and wheel loaders with water ballast in the tyres for all the reasons you mentioned and it does change the centre of gravity. End of story.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I believe this is a conceptual problem. You cannot pivot on the front axle, all you can do is compress it until it breaks. Okay, more precisely, you CAN use the front axle as a pivot but you would have to have more weight in the bucket than the entire tractor weighs, and since the front axle is single-point bearing, the tractor will instantly fall over at that point. So it is purely theoretical.

Loaded tires do not act as a counterweight for front axle pivoting in practice, they act as additional downforce on the front axle (until you reach the point of tipping over or breaking the axle).

A counterweight behind the tractor does pivot on the rear tires, thus relieving weight from the front tires/axle.

Huh? Before my rear tires were loaded, I could fill the bucket with gravel, with the tractor in 4 wheel drive and lift the rear tires off the ground in reverse. With the tires loaded that doesn't happen.

Kevin

 

[lutt]

You can and will pivot on the front axle! I've done this loading large round bales on larger tractors when I didn't stick one on the back. Also on my little 4200. When I unload 1000 pound pallets of animal bedding. The box blade would barely be enough counter weight. Now with the backhoe attachment, it's non issue. I need to ballast my rear tires more for traction now. The little tractor will spin when pushing before it gets the motor. LUTT

 

[kthompson]

I have M6800 Kubota that was delivered with weighted rims (rear) and filled rear tires. Have needed every pound of it at times with no front end loader but side ditch bank cutter on the 3 pth. As to tires bouncing when filled, think you will find it has the wrong level of fluid in them. No expert on all this but a little I was told will cause it to bounce and filled it has no choice but to bounce as the tire is so full of water with no air to compress when it hits something. Do not fill tires over top of the rim. Valve stem up, max fill line. kt

 

[DanD78]

I believe this is a conceptual problem. You cannot pivot on the front axle, all you can do is compress it until it breaks. Okay, more precisely, you CAN use the front axle as a pivot but you would have to have more weight in the bucket than the entire tractor weighs, and since the front axle is single-point bearing, the tractor will instantly fall over at that point. So it is purely theoretical.

Loaded tires do not act as a counterweight for front axle pivoting in practice, they act as additional downforce on the front axle (until you reach the point of tipping over or breaking the axle).

A counterweight behind the tractor does pivot on the rear tires, thus relieving weight from the front tires/axle.

The only thing correct in this post is the last line.

Dan D.