Magnetic Sweepers for front of L4060

[Scholar1]

Does anyone have experience mounting (a) magnetic sweeper(s) in front of the tires on an L4060?

I have had a half-dozen front tire punctures in 15 months, and I'm sick of it. I had a commercial tire service install leak stop, and that helped with managing the last puncture. But now I think I really just need to commit to cleaning my site. There must be thousands of screws and nails from decades of demolished buildings.

I've looked at the magnetic sweeper offerings at BlueStreak Equipment. It is rough around the old barn, which we are re-building. And there are rough patches everywhere on the old farm (48 acres in central Maine). It only makes sense to me if the magnet sweeper is in front of the wheels. I want to clean up all the metal AND not get another puncture in the process?

And then there are all the issues Blue Streak discusses--like mounting height, rough terrain, magnet strength, cleaning off, etc.

I want to put the magnet(s) on and leave it (them). I switch frequently between loader, forks, and grapple on the front. And I don't want to spend a fortune, so there's that.

If anyone is really proud of their magnetic sweeper front tire solution for a tractor kind of like mine (L4060) used on rough terrain, I'd love to see it.

Thanks!

 

[85Hokie]

Would you consider foam filled tires? Never flat again. Little firm on rough terrain however.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I spent 3 WEEKS dragging a very powerful magnet back and forth after 1/2 the shop roof was done AFTER the 'pro' swept it himself. Everyday same routine, 'scuff up' the lot within 10' for the, drag for nails, get lots,every friggin day.....that was 6 years ago and STILL see nails once in awhile.
If you can, lightly rototill the 'trouble' areas,THEN run magnets....

If only fronts are getting flats, consider foaming a 2nd set,use them for the 'denailing' program.

 

[Scholar1]

Would you consider foam filled tires? Never flat again. Little firm on rough terrain however.

Absolutely. That was what I began investigating with the very first flat, but the dealer advised against it, and I've read a lot of opinions that say "too firm a ride."

I have a garden cart with solid inserts and I swear by them. So I was surprised and disappointed when the deal said "don't do it."

You would think that someone could concoct a rubbery foam with just the right amount of bounce and flexibility. Anyone know of such a thing?

 

[Vagabond]

Harbor Freight has a 250lb pull pickup magnet for $20, maybe mount 4 of those on some flat stock you can rig to drag on the ground in front of the front axle somehow (maybe just hung off the brush bar?)

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Harbor Freight has a 250lb pull pickup magnet for $20, maybe mount 4 of those on some flat stock you can rig to drag on the ground in front of the front axle somehow (maybe just hung off the brush bar?)

I have 2 2000 lb Neodymium magnets , and I have 2 1000 pound electromagnets that I bought to do just that. They all suck, unless the nails are laying in 1/4 or less of loose dirt it won't pick them up.
They say to increase magnetic force use a metal plate with very high iron content.
Tried that too, didn't help.

 

[Scholar1]

Harbor Freight has a 250lb pull pickup magnet for $20, maybe mount 4 of those on some flat stock you can rig to drag on the ground in front of the front axle somehow (maybe just hung off the brush bar?)

I have 2 2000 lb Neodymium magnets , and I have 2 1000 pound electromagnets that I bought to do just that. They all suck, unless the nails are laying in 1/4 or less of loose dirt it won't pick them up.
They say to increase magnetic force use a metal plate with very high iron content. tried that too, didn't help.

Thanks. It's good to know when things don't work.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks. It's good to know when things don't work.

Yea, I was very disappointed with the magnets.
I have foam filled fronts and I really don't think it's that bad of a ride, but we are predominantly sand here.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't currently have a problem with punctures, but if I did, I would get the tires foam filled and then if it was too rough, maybe consider an "air seat".

I am with @Scholar1 on this though. I find it odd that someone has not developed a "Soft foam" alternative.

 

[chim]

,...........I am with @Scholar1 on this though. I find it odd that someone has not developed a "Soft foam" alternative.

Several years ago we had a set of tires filled, and the vendor claimed to have at least two densities.

 

[Old Machinist]

I had a heck of a time after my house was built. I picked up a couple of 5 gallon buckets of nails. Since then I don't let any contractor on my property without having the nail discussion.

When I had my roof done the contractor assured me they would tarp the perimeter and lose a minimum of nails and that held true. I still found a few but very few.

After my barn was built I complained about the screws and they spent an hour or so picking them up by hand. I found enough to cover a paper towel with the 17" HF sweeper after they left. So far I have only found two in a tire.

I agree if the screws and nails have been on the property long a magnet doesn't get near enough of them.

The 30" HF sweeper has pretty good reviews. If I had a problem I would buy one of those and try it for sure. With a little ingenuity you could rig two of them up side by side on a loader bucket. Maybe even attach a broom to the front to help loosen buried stuff.

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-magnetic-sweeper-with-wheels-93245.html

 

[Scholar1]

Yea, I was very disappointed with the magnets.
I have foam filled fronts and I really don't think it's that bad of a ride, but we are predominantly sand here.

I have sand, too, except when it's ice. I'm in Maine, but by a quirk of geology our farm sits on a 150' deep sandy aquifer. I'm thinking the best course of action for me is to buy a second set and foam them. That way, even if I revert to the air-filled tires, I'll always be able to do an easy swap.
Thanks for your thought on the ride--it is a tractor, after all, not a Cadillac. So maybe a "hard ride" is not as bad as the naysayers say.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have sand, too, except when it's ice. I'm in Maine, but by a quirk of geology our farm sits on a 150' deep sandy aquifer. I'm thinking the best course of action for me is to buy a second set and foam them. That way, even if I revert to the air-filled tires, I'll always be able to do an easy swap.
Thanks for your thought on the ride--it is a tractor, after all, not a Cadillac. So maybe a "hard ride" is not as bad as the naysayers say.

I'm betting you'll never even really notice!