load tires or not

[Deleted member 47704]

Loaded tires put the weight on the ground directly, ballast box loads axle bearings.

 

[Goz63]

My buddy has my exact tractor. My tires are loaded his are not. He has to put his tractor in 4WD at times I am still running 2WD. Much improved traction. Very glad I went with loaded.

 

[Turfturd]

I am a new compact tractor owner. I just purchased a B7510 w/ loader.
I like the discussion here. Both seem to have there advantages.
It takes me back to my sprint car days, when we talked about suspended weight versus non suspended weight. Rolling weight versus chassis weight.
I like the idea of being able to remove the weight though. I did hang a box blade on it and that helped quite a bit. Still looking for some wheel weights.
Thanks for the discussion.

 

[NHSleddog]

Both.

I have loaded rear tires. My dealer won't deliver a tractor with a FEL without loading the tires. It is needed IMO.

I still use my ballast block (800lb lead) all the time. I use it when doing loader work and I use it when using my hydraulic auger, when snow plowing etc.

 

[krakenacres]

I have an ‘85 L225 w/FEL. I just replaced the original rear tires with new Carlyle F3 tires loaded with rim Guard. My tires are now a bit wider and contact the frame so now I need 2“ spacers.

 

[Crash277]

i am 100% happy with having RV anti-freeze in both my rear tires on my 23s

 

[568152]

Newbie here. Got my first tractor a few months ago, a 37 year old B6200 D HST with the original turf tires still mounted. Kubota manual says not to load my turf tires. Why not? Seems that many people ignore that & fill them anyway. My rear tires had been previously loaded then drained & one also had fix-a-flat inside. Terrible mess when removing to repair rims & add tubes. Now I can't find correct replacement tires! Did buy new Carlisle 21" front tires but circumference is LESS THAN the circumference on my original 20.5 front tires, messing up my 4WD circumference ratio. Now considering changing rear turf tires from 29 to 31.5 & front tires from 20.5 to 22., if I can find any. Any reply & advice will be appreciated.

 

[85Hokie]

Age old question about loading the tires....

Cheap and easy to do - rimguard is $$$ but worth it - but the others do a great job too.

It keeps the center of gravity low on the tractor - period!
It add traction - and it does NOT place a load on the tractor! WEIGHTs do almost the exact same thing when carried low - but do place a load on the machine.

Reason not to ...... cutting grass on flat areas ..... more tire marks.... but on hills - it is a must!

I have all 4 of my B's and BX's loaded ---- only PITA is when I need to take the rim/tire off !!!

 

[Outnumbered]

Load them and you will never look back. I have both my Kubota L3901 and and my FIL old Ford 2600 loaded. Helps with traction and stability. I have had to replace two of the old loaded tires on the Ford and I was able to get them on and off the tractor using some common sense and a cumalong. not a big deal for the safety and traction they provide.

 

[Tim Horton]

Yes...... Would never be with out it...

I did a DIY fill on my old tractor of washer fluid and anti freeze... About 75-25% Worked well..

My tractor now came with salt fluid.. I would rather have it been dry to do another DIY fill, but it is what it is...

 

[568152]

Thanks for all the positive responses. I think loaded rear tires are the way to go. Interesting that nobody responded to my question as to why my Kubota manual says not to load turf tires???

 

[Goz63]

Thanks for all the positive responses. I think loaded rear tires are the way to go. Interesting that nobody responded to my question as to why my Kubota manual says not to load turf tires???

No idea. I have R4s so not sure.

 

[torch]

Newbie here. Got my first tractor a few months ago, a 37 year old B6200 D HST with the original turf tires still mounted. Kubota manual says not to load my turf tires. Why not?

The manual for my very similar 26 year-old B7100 manual recommends using liquid weight (water or CaCl solution) in rear tires as a "safe, economical ballast" that "will not damage tires, tubes or rims" and "has the full approval of the tire companies". It provides a helpful chart showing weights and slush vs freezing temps for a 75% fill of various CaCl concentrations. Finally it goes on to say not to fill certain size tires with water or the tires will be damaged. The list of tires includes all the turf tire and front tire options available for this model.

I have wondered about this wording. As written, Kubota draws a distinction between "liquid weight" vs "water", but was that the intent? If so, then I would surmise the risk of damage is due to potential freezing. Turf tires are wider than the ag versions, so perhaps the sideways expansion due to freezing becomes an issue. In which case, antifreeze would be a suitable and acceptable "liquid weight".

On the other hand, if the intent was to warn against any form of "liquid weight" and not just water, then the issue may be the reduced air space. Turf tires are more flexible in the tread, so as to conform to the ground rather than dig in. The air space within provides the cushion, so perhaps reducing the air space by reducing 75% of the volume with liquid puts greater load on the tire carcass when traversing uneven ground.

Personally, I split the difference. I filled my tires, front and rear, with -40° windshield washer anti-freeze -- but I only filled them to 50%. I do keep them inflated near the top of the range and I always have an implement on the 3ph when using the loader. I find it helps with the stability when unloaded, offsetting the static weight of loader and cab, and have not experienced any problems or signs of tire damage as a result. My rears are original to the tractor, fronts were replaced with ATV tires at the time of the fill. The OEM fronts were never filled, but suffered from heavy cracking anyway.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[Freeheeler]

Thanks for all the positive responses. I think loaded rear tires are the way to go. Interesting that nobody responded to my question as to why my Kubota manual says not to load turf tires???

I don't have a specific answer other than to say the dealer filled mine, purchased new, and no issues with them at all.

 

[FTG-05]

No, because there are many reasons not to. Everything from spreading crap on your soil if you spring a leak, to ruining you pressure gauge, to a rough ride, to complicating tire repairs and tire changes, and the list goes on and on.

If you read the other posts here, you'll find all these have happened to people other than myself.

All those so-called disadvantages are completely trumped by these two words:

Huntsville Hospital.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

The manual for my very similar 26 year-old B7100 manual recommends using liquid weight (water or CaCl solution) in rear tires as a "safe, economical ballast" that "will not damage tires, tubes or rims" and "has the full approval of the tire companies". It provides a helpful chart showing weights and slush vs freezing temps for a 75% fill of various CaCl concentrations. Finally it goes on to say not to fill certain size tires with water or the tires will be damaged. The list of tires includes all the turf tire and front tire options available for this model.

I have wondered about this wording. As written, Kubota draws a distinction between "liquid weight" vs "water", but was that the intent? If so, then I would surmise the risk of damage is due to potential freezing. Turf tires are wider than the ag versions, so perhaps the sideways expansion due to freezing becomes an issue. In which case, antifreeze would be a suitable and acceptable "liquid weight".

On the other hand, if the intent was to warn against any form of "liquid weight" and not just water, then the issue may be the reduced air space. Turf tires are more flexible in the tread, so as to conform to the ground rather than dig in. The air space within provides the cushion, so perhaps reducing the air space by reducing 75% of the volume with liquid puts greater load on the tire carcass when traversing uneven ground.

Personally, I split the difference. I filled my tires, front and rear, with -40° windshield washer anti-freeze -- but I only filled them to 50%. I do keep them inflated near the top of the range and I always have an implement on the 3ph when using the loader. I find it helps with the stability when unloaded, offsetting the static weight of loader and cab, and have not experienced any problems or signs of tire damage as a result. My rears are original to the tractor, fronts were replaced with ATV tires at the time of the fill. The OEM fronts were never filled, but suffered from heavy cracking anyway.

Your mileage may vary.

Good day. I can’t speak for the manufacturer on their wording but cheapest way to weight tires is water….Water freezes…be a horrible ride on f you have a block of ice in about 75% of the tire. In terms of weight, I think your application and intended use is the main consideration. So long as rubber side stays down, your fine…when it is not it’s a problem. Weight in tires help rubber side stay done. Also improves traction. When loader lifted the loader arms and weight in the bucket is like a huge lever. Even slightly uneven ground at the max lift capacity can be dangerous very quickly. Dropping loader immediately helps. In terms of when moving with load elevated think, “As slow as possible as fast as necessary”, if you want to be safe. If too wet out for a tractor with weights is it not also most likely too wet for a tractor without weights? When it comes to safety think about others that might also use…spouse or child? Maybe you have experience and mindset to drop a load if it gets tippy, do the other users?

 

[krakenacres]

Thanks for all the positive responses. I think loaded rear tires are the way to go. Interesting that nobody responded to my question as to why my Kubota manual says not to load turf tires???

I believe it’s because the beet juice will cause the tires to expand width wise just a bit. That’s what happened when I bought new R4’s and loaded them with beet juice. The tires expanded and made contact with the frame. I ordered 2 - 2” spacers from Bro-Tec and that solved the problem and made it more stable. That’s why I think Kubota recommends against it…I could be wrong.

 

[mikester]

If it's my lawn mower then no. If I was using it as a pay loader then yes.

 

[SRRGC1]

If you don't want the rear ballast all the time use a 3 pt weight box or other 3 pt attachment, mower, rear blade, rear box etc.. If ballast all time is NOT an issue, say with a FEL, frt blade, snow blower, fill the rears. Some dealer do not recommend rimguard for the small BX tires as they say it may cause the tire to rotate on the rim. If you do decide on rimguard, replace the stems with a metal one. Rimguard will affect the rubber stems. OR use WWF. I know this reply is a little late but may help you if you have not already decided.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: K and turftires...
Maybe they assume since you have TURF tires on, you'll be CUTTING the grass ? generally speaking ,you want MINIMAL impact on the grass (aka turf). ANY aditional weight(loaded/unloaded) can/does 'hurt' the grass.

re: B7100 manual recommends using liquid weight (water or CaCl solution) in rear tires as a "safe, economical ballast" that "will not damage tires, tubes or rims"
CaCL DOES damage rims !!! Ask any farmer who has had to replace 40-50-60 year old rims that are rotted due to CaCL. BTDT , 4x, $400 a rim, gets a tad expensive......