X330 loses traction on hills

[edells]

When my wife is mowing with our new X330, it loses traction on some of the slopes we have in our yard. She had to come get me to back it away (uphill) from a tree she somehow managed to get the front end up against and couldn't get it to backup. My extra 35-40 pounds gave it enough traction to get it to back it up. And, luckily, I had had the good sense to put a front bumper on it right away after purchase as the bumper was, in fact, resting right against the tree.

Anyways, I went looking online for wheel weights to put on the rear wheels and found out that they don't make them as the wheel is not designed to accept weights. So I thought I'd pose the questions here as to what other X330 owners might have done to add some rear ballast to their mowers?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[CalG]

Put on a second helping a supper!

 

[k0ua]

When my wife is mowing with our new X330, it loses traction on some of the slopes we have in our yard. She had to come get me to back it away (uphill) from a tree she somehow managed to get the front end up against and couldn't get it to backup. My extra 35-40 pounds gave it enough traction to get it to back it up. And, luckily, I had had the good sense to put a front bumper on it right away after purchase as the bumper was, in fact, resting right against the tree.

Anyways, I went looking online for wheel weights to put on the rear wheels and found out that they don't make them as the wheel is not designed to accept weights. So I thought I'd pose the questions here as to what other X330 owners might have done to add some rear ballast to their mowers?

Thanks for any advice.

What about filling the tires with WW fluid or even Rimguard if you can find a dealer near you. That should help quite a bit. You could make your own Wheel weights out of concrete, and drill you own holes. But the fluid fill is easy and quick. It can even be water if you live somewhere way south... It doesn't say in your profile..

 

[Dutch445]

the suitcase weights will hang right on the back frame of the tractor. if a couple helps it could be all you need.

it does sound like you may be a candidate for an X5 size garden tractor. those little X3 series are not designed
for steep terrain, and unfortunately the transmission can be the weak point and fail early on if over taxed.

 

[CalG]

Just a point of reference.

I run a Bolens HT23 around the yard and do all the snow removal with a blower fitted in winter. Last fall, I fabricated a simple "spike" off the trailer hitch that held 120# of "lifting weights". WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

It really does not take a lot of extra weight to aid rear wheel traction and grip. The Bolens weighs just north of 1200# and HAS WHEEL WEIGHTS. So an added 120 # is only 10%. We are not talking tons here.!

 

[crazyal]

I wouldn't drive down a slope then expect to back up. Try backing down and then driving back up as it will put more weight on the rear tires. Ideally I would only drive to the top or bottom of a hill, turn around, then drive back. The other options, like turning on a slope, stopping on a slope and then changing directions create issues. Adding weight is an option but adding it to just one end could cause new issues. Putting 100 lbs of weight on the back of your tractor could make the front lighter when driving up a slope. If the slope is steep enough it could be unsafe. Wheel weights would be a better choice.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have had fluid and 200# of wheel weights on my GT tractors since the early 70s. It takes a little more power to push the tractor but I got myself out of a lot of jams with them. I can mow hills and ditches where without the weight I would be push mowing them.

 

[jgayman]

Sadly, even though I have less than an acre to mow, the rear differential lock was the sole reason I went with a X500. My old JD 175 Hydro was always getting stuck and I vowed my next mower would have diff lock. Had the X300-series had diff lock I would have gladly bought one.

 

[beenthere]

Best IMO is to move to the all-wheel-steer for good traction.. surprising to me how being able to turn the rear wheels out of a slippery condition improves traction. The improvement working on slopes and being able to turn up a slope was impressive after having tractors with just front wheel steer.

 

[edells]

What about filling the tires with WW fluid or even Rimguard if you can find a dealer near you. That should help quite a bit. You could make your own Wheel weights out of concrete, and drill you own holes. But the fluid fill is easy and quick. It can even be water if you live somewhere way south... It doesn't say in your profile..

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. All things considered, I'm going to add the Rim Guard to the rear wheels. It seems like it will do the job and be a simple solution. I've got a local place that sells it for $2.50 a gallon so it shouldn't cost that much for 10-12 gallons, I'm guessing. One thing I found out is to make sure you have 'air and liquid' rated valve stems as 'air only' valve stems may not hold up.

FYI, some Rim Guard info from their website - Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast

Rim Guard® is nearly 30% heavier than water.
Rim Guard® is non-corrosive.
Rim Guard® is non-toxic and biodegradable.
Rim Guard® is freeze-resistant down to -35ï½°F.
Rim Guard® is cost effective because inner tubes are not needed and tires are easier to repair.
Rim Guard® is the one and only Beet Juice tire ballast!


Thanks again everyone!

 

[rekees4300]

Thanks for any advice.

Traction would increase considerably with HDAP rear tires.

View attachment 511950

 

[beenthere]

What local place sells it.. in central WI ?

 

[edells]

For the Rim Guard, send an email with your zip code to info@rimguard.biz and ask for dealers in your area.

Hope that helps.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks.. was wondering if either F&F or Fleet Farm carried it in gallons.. but will check out the one in Montello.. occasionally get that far north.
Maybe none sell it by the gallon, and only pump it into the customers tires.
So far, I've used WW fluid.. which is a little less weight than the beet juice.

Have the grapple now for the X485, and can use more weight in the rear to go with 4 of the 40# suitcase weights.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks.. was wondering if either F&F or Fleet Farm carried it in gallons.. but will check out the one in Montello.. occasionally get that far north.
Maybe none sell it by the gallon, and only pump it into the customers tires.
So far, I've used WW fluid.. which is a little less weight than the beet juice.

Have the grapple now for the X485, and can use more weight in the rear to go with 4 of the 40# suitcase weights.

Just my thoughts but loading up the x485 for grapple work seems to be counter intuitive. That would seem to be a job for the 4300 in your line up. I know you have several garden tractors though so having one of them ballasted might make more sense.

I try to keep my garden tractor as light as possible with removable weights. The 110 and 4520 are much heavier with the 110 weighing about 8,000 and the 4520 weighing about 6,500 without fel.

 

[bigtiller]

I would give chains a try before anything else. It's cheap, easy and guaranteed to work.

 

[jgayman]

Maybe none sell it by the gallon, and only pump it into the customers tires.
So far, I've used WW fluid.. which is a little less weight than the beet juice.

Be careful. Rim Guard (beet juice) can corrode your valve stem cores. Below is a photo of the valve stem cores from my 2720 front tires which had Rim Gaurd in them. The one stem was so corroded that it broke in half while trying to remove it. Meanwhile, my rear tires are filled with washer fluid and I've no issues with them.

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I have an X310. I also have significant hills on my property. I use mine for mowing in warm weather and snow blowing in the winter. With the snowblower I need both weights on the rear and WW fluid I the rear tires. I never use the weights mowing as the WW fluid gives me all the traction I need. It is the least expensive option to start with.