Tire ballast PSI

[muddhogg]

Should a ballasted tire have the same PSI as a non ballasted tire? The MFG recommended PSI.

 

[GBJeffOH]

Yes

 

[muddhogg]

Front: 27x8.50-15 --- Recommended 30 PSI in manual --- 45 PSI Max
Rear: 15x19.5 --- Recommended 30 PSI in manual ---- 30 PSI Max

Seems weird that the manual says 30 PSI for the rear with that being the Max.

And then the manual also states to run the max PSI in the front if an FEL is attached, that is 45 PSI.

 

[imnukensc]

Quite honestly I don't know the correct answer for that, but my dealer recommended lower pressure in mine. I run 12 psi in my filled rears on my 2380.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Lower pressure in the rear will give it a softer ride.
Lower pressure in the front, with a loader, will give it more wear and broken parts.

 

[dirtydeed]

Use the pressures stated in your manual...not what is listed on the sidewall of the tire.

the note "maintain maximum pressure in front tires" applies to what is listed in the manual, not the sidewall of the tire. If you don't have a loader, or do not do much loader work, dropping the pressure down a bit will smooth out the ride.

Understand that the tire pressures listed on the sidewalls are the tire manufacturer recommendations. These tires can be used on all kinds of equipment so the tire manufacturer lists the max pressures independent of equipment type.

Regarding ballasted rears, use the pressures listed in your owners manual. The tires should never be filled with fluid above the valve (or approx 80% volume). That leaves a space for...air.

 

[mcfarmall]

I run 10 psi in my rears with Rim Guard and 30 in the fronts.

 

[RCW]

Front: 27x8.50-15 --- Recommended 30 PSI in manual --- 45 PSI Max
Rear: 15x19.5 --- Recommended 30 PSI in manual ---- 30 PSI Max

Seems weird that the manual says 30 PSI for the rear with that being the Max.

And then the manual also states to run the max PSI in the front if an FEL is attached, that is 45 PSI.

View attachment 77219 View attachment 77220

It looks like there's a difference between 4 ply and 6 ply tires in the manual. (4PR vs 6PR).

A 6-ply is a heavier-duty tire. Looks like some (not all) have a higher PSI over 4 ply. Makes sense. Guessing (just guessing) higher PSI helps it handle a higher load rating on the sidewall/bead (?).....

Check the tires on the tractor to see what ply are actually on the machine. Should be on the sidewall somewhere in the fine print.

That said, I would back the PSI off if it's causing you ride issues.

 

[NCL4701]

My L is the first tractor I’ve had with R4’s. Came from the dealer with 35psi in the loaded rears. Rode about like a Farmall F-20 on steel wheels and traction was disappointing. Looking at it on the concrete shop floor it looked like there was no noticeable sidewall flex so it had one tread bar pair contacting the ground. By contrast a quality radial R1 on an ag tractor designed for heavy draft work will have 3 to 4 bar pairs on flat ground. I didn’t expect 3 bars, but 1??? No wonder the traction was disappointing.

Reduced tire pressure in rears to 15 which helped, then reduced to 12. Traction and ride both substantially improved. Stopped at 12 psi because I’m 2psi short of being as brave as @mcfarmall. Didn’t change the psi on the front and won’t so long as there’s a loader on it.

Question is am I damaging the sidewalls on the R4’s by allowing them to flex? Ask me in 5 years if we’re both still around. That’s the one and only place I deviate from the OM. If you want the “correct” answer follow the OM.

 

[johndeerebones]

My L is the first tractor I’ve had with R4’s. Came from the dealer with 35psi in the loaded rears. Rode about like a Farmall F-20 on steel wheels and traction was disappointing. Looking at it on the concrete shop floor it looked like there was no noticeable sidewall flex so it had one tread bar pair contacting the ground. By contrast a quality radial R1 on an ag tractor designed for heavy draft work will have 3 to 4 bar pairs on flat ground. I didn’t expect 3 bars, but 1??? No wonder the traction was disappointing.

Reduced tire pressure in rears to 15 which helped, then reduced to 12. Traction and ride both substantially improved. Stopped at 12 psi because I’m 2psi short of being as brave as @mcfarmall. Didn’t change the psi on the front and won’t so long as there’s a loader on it.

Question is am I damaging the sidewalls on the R4’s by allowing them to flex? Ask me in 5 years if we’re both still around. That’s the one and only place I deviate from the OM. If you want the “correct” answer follow the OM.

Doubt it. Farm equipment usually has bias ply tires. Steel belts are usually noted. Euro tractors spend much more time on the road. In the states they're often premium tires. As for PSI he's right. Traction is the factor, I too run higher in fronts due to a FEL. If you drive around with the bucket, bale spear, etc., by all means drop it. I have R1 rears and R4 fronts.. R1s typically don't flex as much either.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Doubt it. Farm equipment usually has bias ply tires. Steel belts are usually noted. Euro tractors spend much more time on the road. In the states they're often premium tires. As for PSI he's right. Traction is the factor, I too run higher in fronts due to a FEL. If you drive around with the bucket, bale spear, etc., by all means drop it. I have R1 rears and R4 fronts.. R1s typically don't flex as much either.

Ummmm... a lot of farm equipment are equipped with radials.
And R1's flex a ton, R4's don't flex, not even when they are flat.
All or almost all R4's are Radial tires.
I've never seen an R4 that wasn't a radial.

 

[NCL4701]

Doubt it. Farm equipment usually has bias ply tires. Steel belts are usually noted. Euro tractors spend much more time on the road. In the states they're often premium tires. As for PSI he's right. Traction is the factor, I too run higher in fronts due to a FEL. If you drive around with the bucket, bale spear, etc., by all means drop it. I have R1 rears and R4 fronts.. R1s typically don't flex as much either.

Doubt it all you want. Most heavy draft tractors in the US are running radials due to increased ground engagement allowed by the increased flexibility compared to bias ply. As an example the link is a comparison of 23 degree v 45 degree bar pattern.

Firestone 23° vs. 45° Lug Angle: A Guide for Choosing the Right Tread | PTK

Which is better? Firestone's 23 degree tread design or the 45 degree lug angle? This guide will help you decide which tire to buy for your application.

www.ntstiresupply.com

Scroll down through the article and there’s a comparison of the contact patch, which is 4+ for the 23 degree and 3+ for the 45 degree. R1‘s, even bias ply, flex quite a bit more than R4’s. That’s why they have more bars engaged, shed mud much better, and is one of several reasons they pull better.

 

[johndeerebones]

Ummmm... a lot of farm equipment are equipped with radials.
And R1's flex a ton, R4's don't flex, not even when they are flat.
All or almost all R4's are Radial tires.
I've never seen an R4 that wasn't a radial.

Wrote flex backwards to what i meant. Sorry. Tons of R4s here arent. More R1s are.

 

[skeets]

I just spoke to a dealer about those dayum R4s, the book calls for 40 psi and traction sucks to say the least. His suggestion was to drop to 20 to 25 psi. That the sidewalls are so stiff you wont run them off the rim, my big concern. So I will try that and see what shakes maybe thats all thats needed

 

[B737]

Skeets, I run 20 PSI in my loaded R4 rears. I do a lot of box blade / pulling work ect. I can't tell you if it's ideal, or 'correct', but it has worked fine and no problems. I run 35 in the fronts since I use the loader a lot too.

 

[B737]

Reduced tire pressure in rears to 15 which helped, then reduced to 12. Traction and ride both substantially improved. Stopped at 12 psi because I’m 2psi short of being as brave as @mcfarmall. Didn’t change the psi on the front and won’t so long as there’s a loader on it.

this makes me want to try 15 psi

 

[NCL4701]

this makes me want to try 15 psi

Do it!

 

[dirtydeed]

this makes me want to try 15 psi

That's where I run in rears....12-15 psi. Much better on my back as well.

 

[muddhogg]

I just spoke to a dealer about those dayum R4s, the book calls for 40 psi and traction sucks to say the least. His suggestion was to drop to 20 to 25 psi. That the sidewalls are so stiff you wont run them off the rim, my big concern. So I will try that and see what shakes maybe thats all thats needed

My rears are at 12 right now from the dealer.