Wheel Weights for YM186D

[California]

I found a pair of cast iron wheel weights on Craigslist. 75 lbs each, 15 inch diameter. Application unknown.

He wanted $20 for the pair. I'm too cheap to pass that up.

They are a good fit on the YM186D, after I removed some metal to let the valve stem pass by without touching. I also added 45 degree valve stem extensions to get the caps out where I can reach them.

This added weight makes it possible to run in 2wd nearly all the time, even most of the time with my 2200 lb watering trailer. Highly recommended!

 

[YanmarFever]

Nice job ! :thumbsup:

 

[California]

Thanks Ernie!

 

[MJPetersen]

Very nice! :thumbsup:

If you reversed your rims so that the valve stem is on the inside of the tire, could the weights then be flipped over and fit flush with the outside of the wheel? I am not saying this well--but I hope that you can translate it.

That price seems less than scrap prices now. At least what we are getting for scrap here now.

Mike

 

[284 International]

Those look good, and seem to have added enough weight to let the tractor work as desired. I like it, and wish I had some like it to put on other things, especially at the price! That's a terrific bargain.

Of course, as usual, MJPetersen has a simple, yet ingenious solution to the misalignment of the valve stem cutout in the weight vs the location of the valve stem: Just swap the wheels around, putting the valve stems to the center of the tractor, and tuck everything neatly into the wheel. Kudos, MJ! :thumbsup:

I should have thought about it when California and I were talking about how to cut the groove for the valve stem. Oops.

California, how did you set and align the weights onto the bolts securing them to the rims? Did you pull the wheels and do it while they were flat, or use a hoist, or what? I finally gave up trying to muscle the ones I bought onto the YM2000, and had to pull the wheel off and lay it flat. There must be a better way than the way I did it. There always is! :laughing:

 

[California]

Thanks guys.

I need maximum width for rollover safety and these are deep dish wheels, so I couldn't turn the valve stems in.

I considered mounting the weights on the inner surface of the wheels. But that interferes with the cross-bolt that secures the adjustable width hub.

After lots of measuring I decided the shoulder on that stepped weight has to face out. If it faced inward there would be massive interference with the tip of the valve stem; it would be two inches deep (at an angle) in cast iron.

Before cutting those grooves, the weights were kept 1/4" off the face of the wheel by interference with the outer end of the valve stem. I cut those gouges in the weights large enough to get to the valve stems with a Schrader-removal tool or air chuck but the stem-extenders will be easier to use routinely.

284, I made a platform by each wheel, and set each weight on edge next to its wheel. Then slid it into position on the wheel. To center them for final tightening, I used temporary shims. Working without a hoist was manageable at 75 lbs each.

 

[winston1]

California, you are a common sense guy. Another well done project.:thumbsup:

 

[Car Doc]

Looks like they could be factory parts there California nice find and great job on the instal!

I bet she rides a lot smoother also mine sure does!

 

[ym165dpete]

what a find I was looking on craigs list the other day for the same reason. I drained the calciumcloride out of my ym165d ,becuase of the rust and leakage.with the rims repainted and new tubes it looks better but I need the weight.I do have a 180 lb 3pt mount for the winter,but I do lose traction now.with the ym165d the wheel dose mount differnt

 

[California]

Thanks everybody.

I mowed for a couple of hours this afternoon. I didn't notice a smoother ride, probably because the tires are loaded with water. What I did notice is a flywheel effect, it goes over rough ground better at lower rpm without bogging own.

And of course traction is greatly improved. I have 240 lbs of weights on the front bumper which must have unloaded some weight off the back axle. Now with the new rear wheel weights, it pulls much stronger in 2wd.

 

[Domush]

California, what is the benefit of using 2WD vs 4WD? Why not use 4WD instead of loading down the tractor with weights?

I'm new to tractors, so I don't want to be using 4WD on mine all of the time if it is somehow bad for it.

 

[California]

I think 2wd puts less wear overall on this 30 year old tractor. Occasionally posters here describe rebuilding a front axle, and I want to prevent that.

I stop and engage the lever if needed to make an extreme tight turn using one of the brakes to avoid bumping a tree in the orchard for example, but I don't need it much otherwise.

Wheel weights are 'unsprung' weight, the additional weight isn't carried on the chassis and wheel bearings, so they can't have much effect on the tractor aside from the improved traction.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Sweet find! :thumbsup:

 

[California]

... And a photo of the wheel weights in use. I just posted the photo below over in a thread about this 8 ft spike harrow. I'll reference the photo from here too. With the wheel weights I can pull this spike harrow easily in 2wd.