Mike, My cousin lives in gippsland, victoria Australia. It is very rare for the temperature to get down to zero & if it does it only lasts a couple of hours in the early morning. He had a grey fergie tea 1956 and a MF35. both tractors were filled with straight tank water in the rear tyres and they lasted until the tyres perished (20+ years) without any problems. Enjoy your videos keep up the great work.
born2flyau That's great! Water is a lot cheaper than any of the fluids we use here where it gets cold. As long as it never freezes that's the best way to go. Thanks for the comments!
Mike it think you missed a bit on this one. Others have already asked about other frame mounted weights, you don't cover beet juice which is fairly common, and you don't talk about how a filled tire has less air in it, so less cushioning. Also the main reason I would add ballast is not stability, but traction. The FEL is not very effective without it, you just cannot push it into the ground without it. Also if you are plowing or doing other heavy ground work it may be required. One major disadvantage would be ground compaction, particularly on units used for mowing.
One other advantage with a rear weight (3point mounted) is that it will offload the front axle, so it brings more downward pressure on the rear wheels than the same amount of wheel weights plus it eases the front axle from some tear if you load very heavy things with the FEL.
Note that the calcium ballast is dissolved in water and adds significantly more weight than just water. The antifreeze fluid is basically the same density as water and doesn't add the extra weight over plain water. Also, if you get a hole in a liquid-filled tire, it takes a LOT longer to go flat than it would with just air.
Mike, I'm surprised you didn't mention the added width of weights stacked out beyond the tire's edge. Depending on your gates and other obstacles, it's something else to be aware of so you don't damage gates/latches/fence posts/barn corners, etc.
My tractor is in Northern Virginia and we have a shop that can add some sort of heavy foam to your tires for ballast.I've seen tires being replaced that have been worn to the foam! No flat tires!!!
Mike I have a L3901 Kubota, I have a 486 lbs grapple, I want to had beet juice for ballast. I also have brush hog in back, would this be too much weight for tractor to handle? I would like to brush hog with grapple on. Thank you
Hi Mike, I ordered the rear tires on my tractor to be filled with anti-freeze before it was delivered. With all of the problems I've now had with the dealer (Hydraulic fluid level wrong and top point hitch pin missing) I would like to make sure they really filled the rear tires with fluid. Can I rotate rear tire so valve stem is on the bottom and then very briefly bush in the valve to see if liquid comes out? This may seam like a stupid question, but I wanted to check with you before I get a face full of liquid and a flat tire.
Walmart RV antifreeze 5$ gallon it's propylene glycol for cheap tire weight in freezing areas! or anywhere that's selling a non-toxic version of antifreeze will be propylene glycol! Hope to help someone. Cheers
In my career I've only seen one case where there was so much weight that it caused premature wear on some of the tractor's driveline components. The customer hung weights everywhere. I don't think you'll do damage with fluid and wheel weights.
Mike, what are your thoughts of either purpose-built, or fabricated, make-do 3-pt ballast boxes? I have a fairly heavy grapple on the front end loader quick attach. For most brush it does pretty well to simple pick up and haul to brush piles. Where I think I am light in the rear of the tractor is when I use the rake tines of the grapple to go after roots and rough ground. Have you reviewed any ballast boxes, like the Titan or LandPride, etc., for quality of build (welds, gauge of metal, finish and estimated long-term durability)? Thanks for the wealth of info!!
Graham, to be honest, I've never personally used a ballast box, but I'll be glad to give my perception of the pluses and minuses of them. On the plus side, you put the weight on only when you need it, if you're on flat ground, it takes extra fuel to lug around weight that you can't take off. On the minus side, the weight is sticking out the back (versus in the tires or mounted on the wheels), you're carrying it with the hydraulics of the tractor, it tends to ride higher than tire fluid (which doesn't help the center of gravity), and you could accomplish the same thing by mounting an implement on the back if you're not in tight spaces. If I had a little tractor that I mowed the lawn with and didn't want all that weight on the turf, a ballast box makes a lot of sense to me because of it being removable, otherwise I prefer fluid in the tires.
Gosh, what a good question. Gonna have to think about that for a while. I think fluided tractors would ride better than those with wheel weights but I really don't know. Maybe someone else with personal experience will comment.
Mike: I have an old Kubota L240 2WD. My problem is not weight at the back; it is light at the front. Can you let me know options for weighting the front end and by how much?
Mike, love your video's but I cannot hear what your talking about without turning all volume controls to there max setting. How about doing something about this problem.
John, I had some real audio issues on my earlier videos, basically, all the sound was on one channel and that's what's causing the problem. It should be fixed on all of the newer videos. Thanks for the heads up.
I don't offhand but if you'll measure the depth of the dish (the distance from the center of the rim to the outside of the tire) on the inside and outside of your rear wheels you'll be able to figure it out. If the distances are different, swapping sides with the wheels would change the "footprint" of the tractor.
GREAT VIDEO IF YOUR TRACTOR DOESENT HAVE HOLES COULD YOU NOT DRILL THEM FOR WEIGHTS ? I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU ITS NOT REALLY RELATED TO THIS VIDEO BUT ITS A TRACTOR QUESTION I HAVE A SHENNIU 425 TRACTOR AND I ADDED A LOADER TO IT I HAVE TO CHAIN MY 3 POINT ARMS DOWN WITH A CHAIN TO MAKE MY LOADER WORK WHAT DOES THIS DO IS THEIR ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE IT WORK ITS KIND OF UNHANDY
bud moore Honestly, I've never tried to drill holes in a rim, it could be done, but it would be a major chore. I need more information on your loader question. I have no experience with hydraulics on Shenniu tractors but I think what you're saying is you can only work either the three point arms or the loader? If that's the case you're diverting your three point hydraulics to power the loader and if that's the case I doubt there's an economical way to change the system. How do you chain the 3 point arms down?
bud moore We think you need what's called a "power beyond valve" for your tractor. That allows you to tap into the hydraulic system and divert flow away from the three point to the loader without using the chain system. You'd have to contact a dealer for that brand to see if one is available. And it's probably not something you'd want to install yourself unless you've had a lot of hydraulic maintenance experience. Good luck!
If the tractor doesn't have a loader and the front end is light, or if you're on really steep hills and wanted all of the weight you could get as low as possible to keep you down. Row crop farmers usually go with front mounted weights to offset large implements on the back instead of fluid. I've seen fluid put in front tires, it's usually pretty rare. I've also seen a few people who I thought overdid it a little on adding ballast.
That's hard to answer. It depends on how much weight you're trying to pick up and/or how much you need stability on hills. Most folks around here completely fill their rear tires with fluid and that does the job, but I've known people who also add wheel weights and even ballast anywhere they can put it on top of that. I'd start with the tire fluid first because that puts the weight down low where you want it and see how it does, then if the back wheels of the tractor are trying to come up when you lift something start adding wheel weights. Good luck!
Your videos convinced me to have the tires filled before the tractor is delivered.
Mike, My cousin lives in gippsland, victoria Australia. It is very rare for the temperature to get down to zero & if it does it only lasts a couple of hours in the early morning. He had a grey fergie tea 1956 and a MF35. both tractors were filled with straight tank water in the rear tyres and they lasted until the tyres perished (20+ years) without any problems.
Enjoy your videos keep up the great work.
born2flyau That's great! Water is a lot cheaper than any of the fluids we use here where it gets cold. As long as it never freezes that's the best way to go. Thanks for the comments!
Mike it think you missed a bit on this one. Others have already asked about other frame mounted weights, you don't cover beet juice which is fairly common, and you don't talk about how a filled tire has less air in it, so less cushioning. Also the main reason I would add ballast is not stability, but traction. The FEL is not very effective without it, you just cannot push it into the ground without it. Also if you are plowing or doing other heavy ground work it may be required.
One major disadvantage would be ground compaction, particularly on units used for mowing.
One other advantage with a rear weight (3point mounted) is that it will offload the front axle, so it brings more downward pressure on the rear wheels than the same amount of wheel weights plus it eases the front axle from some tear if you load very heavy things with the FEL.
Thanks Mike, exactly the information I needed to get better traction. :-)
Note that the calcium ballast is dissolved in water and adds significantly more weight than just water. The antifreeze fluid is basically the same density as water and doesn't add the extra weight over plain water. Also, if you get a hole in a liquid-filled tire, it takes a LOT longer to go flat than it would with just air.
Mike, I'm surprised you didn't mention the added width of weights stacked out beyond the tire's edge. Depending on your gates and other obstacles, it's something else to be aware of so you don't damage gates/latches/fence posts/barn corners, etc.
Wow, I am learning a lot from your videos; thanks.
My tractor is in Northern Virginia and we have a shop that can add some sort of heavy foam to your tires for ballast.I've seen tires being replaced that have been worn to the foam! No flat tires!!!
That makes me think of expanding foam and maybe like sand!
Mike I have a L3901 Kubota, I have a 486 lbs grapple, I want to had beet juice for ballast. I also have brush hog in back, would this be too much weight for tractor to handle? I would like to brush hog with grapple on. Thank you
Hi Mike, I ordered the rear tires on my tractor to be filled with anti-freeze before it was delivered. With all of the problems I've now had with the dealer (Hydraulic fluid level wrong and top point hitch pin missing) I would like to make sure they really filled the rear tires with fluid. Can I rotate rear tire so valve stem is on the bottom and then very briefly bush in the valve to see if liquid comes out? This may seam like a stupid question, but I wanted to check with you before I get a face full of liquid and a flat tire.
Yes, wear your goggles :)! There shouldn't be too much come out but be careful.
Walmart RV antifreeze 5$ gallon it's propylene glycol for cheap tire weight in freezing areas! or anywhere that's selling a non-toxic version of antifreeze will be propylene glycol! Hope to help someone. Cheers
I already have wheel weights. Can I add fluid to the tires, too?? Can I have too much weight??
In my career I've only seen one case where there was so much weight that it caused premature wear on some of the tractor's driveline components.
The customer hung weights everywhere. I don't think you'll do damage with fluid and wheel weights.
Mike, what are your thoughts of either purpose-built, or fabricated, make-do 3-pt ballast boxes? I have a fairly heavy grapple on the front end loader quick attach. For most brush it does pretty well to simple pick up and haul to brush piles. Where I think I am light in the rear of the tractor is when I use the rake tines of the grapple to go after roots and rough ground. Have you reviewed any ballast boxes, like the Titan or LandPride, etc., for quality of build (welds, gauge of metal, finish and estimated long-term durability)? Thanks for the wealth of info!!
Graham, to be honest, I've never personally used a ballast box, but I'll be glad to give my perception of the pluses and minuses of them. On the plus side, you put the weight on only when you need it, if you're on flat ground, it takes extra fuel to lug around weight that you can't take off. On the minus side, the weight is sticking out the back (versus in the tires or mounted on the wheels), you're carrying it with the hydraulics of the tractor, it tends to ride higher than tire fluid (which doesn't help the center of gravity), and you could accomplish the same thing by mounting an implement on the back if you're not in tight spaces. If I had a little tractor that I mowed the lawn with and didn't want all that weight on the turf, a ballast box makes a lot of sense to me because of it being removable, otherwise I prefer fluid in the tires.
hello.Tractor Mike I need to know how weight the tractor axles plz
Do wheel weights make a tractor ride smoother or more rough vs liquid
Gosh, what a good question. Gonna have to think about that for a while. I think fluided tractors would ride better than those with wheel weights but I really don't know. Maybe someone else with personal experience will comment.
what about front and mid mount ballast those have purposes too for example when running a heavy 3 point implement without a loader
I have an old Oliver backhoe and the front end comes off the ground repeatedly. I s there a front end counter weight or solution that you can suggest?
Mike: I have an old Kubota L240 2WD. My problem is not weight at the back; it is light at the front. Can you let me know options for weighting the front end and by how much?
The old fluid that is not used as ballist is what they use to deice plains runways and roads
Mike, love your video's but I cannot hear what your talking about without turning all volume controls to there max setting. How about doing something about this problem.
John, I had some real audio issues on my earlier videos, basically, all the sound was on one channel and that's what's causing the problem. It should be fixed on all of the newer videos. Thanks for the heads up.
Hello. Do you know it the rear rims on a cub cadet 7305 can be reversed to widen out the tires. Know one seems to no.
I don't offhand but if you'll measure the depth of the dish (the distance from the center of the rim to the outside of the tire) on the inside and outside of your rear wheels you'll be able to figure it out. If the distances are different, swapping sides with the wheels would change the "footprint" of the tractor.
Tractor Mike left to right and right to left...
GREAT VIDEO IF YOUR TRACTOR DOESENT HAVE HOLES COULD YOU NOT DRILL THEM FOR WEIGHTS ? I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU ITS NOT REALLY RELATED TO THIS VIDEO BUT ITS A TRACTOR QUESTION I HAVE A SHENNIU 425 TRACTOR AND I ADDED A LOADER TO IT I HAVE TO CHAIN MY 3 POINT ARMS DOWN WITH A CHAIN TO MAKE MY LOADER WORK WHAT DOES THIS DO IS THEIR ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE IT WORK ITS KIND OF UNHANDY
bud moore Honestly, I've never tried to drill holes in a rim, it could be done, but it would be a major chore.
I need more information on your loader question. I have no experience with hydraulics on Shenniu tractors but I think what you're saying is you can only work either the three point arms or the loader? If that's the case you're diverting your three point hydraulics to power the loader and if that's the case I doubt there's an economical way to change the system. How do you chain the 3 point arms down?
I wrap a chain around them and hook it down on the hitch
bud moore We think you need what's called a "power beyond valve" for your tractor. That allows you to tap into the hydraulic system and divert flow away from the three point to the loader without using the chain system. You'd have to contact a dealer for that brand to see if one is available. And it's probably not something you'd want to install yourself unless you've had a lot of hydraulic maintenance experience. Good luck!
When, if ever, should one add liquid ballast to the front tractor tires?
If the tractor doesn't have a loader and the front end is light, or if you're on really steep hills and wanted all of the weight you could get as low as possible to keep you down. Row crop farmers usually go with front mounted weights to offset large implements on the back instead of fluid. I've seen fluid put in front tires, it's usually pretty rare. I've also seen a few people who I thought overdid it a little on adding ballast.
How much weight should you use?
Enjoy your sight.
That's hard to answer. It depends on how much weight you're trying to pick up and/or how much you need stability on hills. Most folks around here completely fill their rear tires with fluid and that does the job, but I've known people who also add wheel weights and even ballast anywhere they can put it on top of that. I'd start with the tire fluid first because that puts the weight down low where you want it and see how it does, then if the back wheels of the tractor are trying to come up when you lift something start adding wheel weights. Good luck!
How are you
you cant just use water from a hose?
If you're in an area where it never freezes you could.
Hallo yu sele this Wight