Has anyone filled their tires with fluid and regretted it?

[Virtual Guy]

I recently acquired an l2501 and added a grapple. It didn't take me long to recognize that some weight in the back would be beneficial. I'm debating filling the tires at some point but I wanted to know if there's any downside to it. Of course I get that the tractor is simply heavier which has its consequences at times but is there anything else?

 

[Shekkie]

I recently acquired an l2501 and added a grapple. It didn't take me long to recognize that some weight in the back would be beneficial. I'm debating filling the tires at some point but I wanted to know if there's any downside to it. Of course I get that the tractor is simply heavier which has its consequences at times but is there anything else?

I didn’t do it but the 8n I had the previous owner loaded the tires. It was fine since I only used it for grunt work but I passed on getting it when I bought my LX. I prefer to just have my 525 pound box blade on the rear for ballast that I can remove when not needed.

 

[radas]

I have mine filled and have a 475lb box on the back. Before I threw the box on, I had the ass end lift up on me carrying a full load of downed cedar trees with the forks while on unlevel ground... Never again. Keep in mind, liquid ballast isn't a substitute for a proper ballast on the 3pt.

 

[Virtual Guy]

Keep in mind, liquid ballast isn't a substitute for a proper ballast on the 3pt.

Why's that? Not trying to be difficult, just don't know and trying to learn.

 

[MountainMeadows]

I just got an L2501 and had the rear tires loaded for more weight and more traction but ballast on the 3ph takes some of the load off the front axle when using a grapple or bucket.

 

[radas]

Why's that? Not trying to be difficult, just don't know and trying to learn.

No worries, ballast on the tires keeps them planted and provides more weight/better traction but doesn't counterbalance the weight of the loader+ and keep weight off of the front axle like a heavy weight carried behind the rear axle does.

 

[Virtual Guy]

I just got an L2501 and had the rear tires loaded for more weight and more traction but ballast on the 3ph takes some of the load off the front axle when using a grapple or bucket.

No worries, ballast on the tires keeps them planted and provides more weight/better traction but doesn't counterbalance the weight of the loader+ and keep weight off of the front axle like a heavy weight carried behind the rear axle does.

Ah yes. I remember Archimedes and his levers.

Thanks. So far I have tended to work with my box blade on the hitch but it's just around 350 lbs. Not insignificant when out on a couple feet on a lever arm but still not ideal.

 

[fried1765]

Ah yes. I remember Archimedes and his levers.

Thanks. So far I have tended to work with my box blade on the hitch but it's just around 350 lbs. Not insignificant when out on a couple feet on a lever arm but still not ideal.

If you want more 3pt. weight you should buy or build a weight box/counterweight.

 

[radas]

Ah yes. I remember Archimedes and his levers.

Thanks. So far I have tended to work with my box blade on the hitch but it's just around 350 lbs. Not insignificant when out on a couple feet on a lever arm but still not ideal.

Yup, the old Greeks were ahead of their time hahaha.

350lb is better than nothing. I'm guessing you have the land pride box blade? I'd do one of two things to help:

1. As mentioned already, build or buy a ballast box. You can build em out of 50 gallon drums and concrete and embed rebar, a top link bracket, and a drawbar for the lower links - route the rebar through both links for rigidity. I saw a DIY one on the reddit Kubota page that weighed 700+lbs.

2. Upgrade your box blade to a Woods unit like Shekkie and I have. The 54-60" ones weigh 475-525 lbs and you can probably hang some suitcase weights off of them for additional ballast.

3. Have a heavy-set buddy stand on your box blade (totally kidding, never do this )

 

[ken erickson]

I have the tires loaded on my grapple equipped L2501 and always have either a light box blade or a 6 foot Landpride light duty rotary cutter hanging on the 3pt. . It is still easy to lift a rear tire or tires depending on the situation. I am always on my guard and happy I have both filled tires and at least some form of rear ballast .

 

[radas]

I will say, having filled tires helped tremendously when driving over unlevel ground or on weird angles to grind stumps, never lost traction in 4x4.

 

[mcfarmall]

Loaded tires, no regrets.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

If you load with calcium,you'll eventually have to buy new rims. so far 3 tractors, 4 rims as PO they had calcium in them....hate to see the bill for new rims today !
Loaded tires weigh a LOT more, so unless you have a red 'S' under your shirt, you NEED to be REAL careful and SMART when removing/installing loaded rears !!
Simpler/cleaner to use a 'carryall' and grab a 'weight box' ONLY when NEEDED. Can have 2 boxes, light and heavy, to use what's needed for the job.

 

[OrangeKrush]

If you load with calcium,you'll eventually have to buy new rims. so far 3 tractors, 4 rims as PO they had calcium in them....hate to see the bill for new rims today !
Loaded tires weigh a LOT more, so unless you have a red 'S' under your shirt, you NEED to be REAL careful and SMART when removing/installing loaded rears !!
Simpler/cleaner to use a 'carryall' and grab a 'weight box' ONLY when NEEDED. Can have 2 boxes, light and heavy, to use what's needed for the job.

Yep if I read it right my little BX2680 tire filled weighs 100 lbs more on top of the original weight of tire & wheel. Im glad their filled though..

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I recently acquired an l2501 and added a grapple. It didn't take me long to recognize that some weight in the back would be beneficial. I'm debating filling the tires at some point but I wanted to know if there's any downside to it. Of course I get that the tractor is simply heavier which has its consequences at times but is there anything else?

Changing a tire.

You simply cannot do it. Too heavy.

Go with weights.

 

[jyoutz]

Filled tires on both tractors. No regrets.

 

[jyoutz]

Yup, the old Greeks were ahead of their time hahaha.

350lb is better than nothing. I'm guessing you have the land pride box blade? I'd do one of two things to help:

1. As mentioned already, build or buy a ballast box. You can build em out of 50 gallon drums and concrete and embed rebar, a top link bracket, and a drawbar for the lower links - route the rebar through both links for rigidity. I saw a DIY one on the reddit Kubota page that weighed 700+lbs.

2. Upgrade your box blade to a Woods unit like Shekkie and I have. The 54-60" ones weigh 475-525 lbs and you can probably hang some suitcase weights off of them for additional ballast.

3. Have a heavy-set buddy stand on your box blade (totally kidding, never do this )

Option 4. Build a weight box for the top of your box blade. Add a few hundred pounds more weight. Not only is it good ballast, it will make your blade work better.

 

[Dieseldonato]

Even the operators manual for loaders states tire ballast is good to have in addition to rear weight on the 3 point. It's no different then hanging weight off the front of the tractor when using a large 3 point implement.
Id personally never go without filled tires. Unless your driving in pure mud all it does is aid traction. My yard is very soft and I haven't had any issues driving on it with filled tires and it imprinting out side of a long heavy rain, at that point just walking in the bottom yard you'll sink in. Doing dirt work I find it especially useful. I've never really been a big fan of wheel weights, as they are heavy as sin most the time, but they are an option as well. I also can't say taking the tires off the tractor is something thays done very often, but how you'll handle the extra 150lbs (ish) would need planned for. I don't personally find them difficult to take off and wheel around, so long ad I can keep them propped up. Not like the tires are really big on a B series. Just need to exercise some caution.
Beet juice doesn't rot the rims out, is nearly as heavy as calcium chloride, and is actually pretty economical.
I'm also not a fan of having a big box blade haning off the rear of the tractor or another heavy implement that sicks far out the back of the tractor. It hogs up space that I typically need when I'm in the woods or working around my log pile. I much prefer a dedicated weight box. Heavy, but compact and hangs close to the tractor 3 point arms.

 

[2650fan]

Filled tires on all my tractor, no regrets

 

[Snowman7]

Filled at the dealer, never even think about it.