Ballast Wheel weights

[silo36]

Good afternoon from east Ky.I recently purchased a Yanmar 1700 and so far am delighted with the tractor.I was wondering about wheel weights for this tractor.As far as traction, I don't need them for the back other than additional stability.I definitelt would be interested in wheel weights for the front.Any idea's? J Helton
P.S. I enjoy the reading on this board.

 

[normde2001]

You would not want to use wheel weights on the front. That would totally mess up your steering. Suitcase weights, (about 200#), hung on the bumper are normally used in the front.

 

[kayssupply]

Please go further with the this. How would weight on the wheels effect the steering more than on the bumper? I'm not being argumentative , I really would like to know. I have had to rebuild front ends that had carried weight for a long time.

 

[normde2001]

Just a wild guess. Never heard of weights on front wheels. Have you?

 

[silo36]

International Harvester sold wheel weights for front and rear for their Farmall Cub.I'll probably make bumper weights anyway.

 

[Soundguy]

Lots of tractor manufactures made front wheel weights. My cub and ford front rims have the square holes for carriage bolts for weights. I have a set of weights for my cub.

Soundguy

 

[normde2001]

How much weight can you add to a front wheel? I would imagine 100# per wheel, enough to be effective on a YM1700, would make turning quite a chore, and hard on the steering linkage.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not sure.. I opted for a front bumper weight. I think I rememebr reading the ym240 manual, and the max weight added tot he front was like 250# or 280#.

Front weights on my cub are 50# each. I'm guessing the ones onthe 8n are similar.. 65-75#.. course that steering setup is a tad better than the 1700's. Id want 5 max on the wheel.. if only for a size/clearance issue. The fronts on the 1700 are very small.

My bumper arangement consisted of two ford suitcase weights and a 2-tube concrete and iron filled pipe bumper. Weighed in at about 135# to 150#. Was enough to let me pick up a 30" rear scoop full of dirt and not be a teeter-totter... Don't ask me how I know /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The weight ont he front doesn't make steering a problem.. as long as you are using it to offset weight ont he rear. otherwise if you have lots of rear weight.. turning and steering is 'lite'. The front weight ballances the rear weight. In any case.. on most machines without power steering, and using 3-rib tires.. I generally don't try to steer unless I'm moving... just easier.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[kayssupply]

Yes, I have seen the greys with them. They usually don't ship them with them because of the cost.