Can anyone tell me the specific reason that Kubota, in their Owner's Manual for the M7040, indicates that ballast should not be added to the front tires? I've discussed this with lifelong farmers, tractor owners and experienced agricultural tire dealers and no one seems to be able to come up with a good reason why they have this disclaimer in their manual.
Tire Ballast
- Thread starter fleminj2pa
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If I were to guess, the bearings or the pivot isn't made for the extra weight but that seems silly as it should handle massive weight up front there.
The normal logic is to put weight in the tires and on the rims to not have it put weight on the pivot and axles, which is what suitcase weights do to a tractor.
Now the Dealer filled my rears on my L3200 but not my fronts saying the small amount of extra weight didn't accomplish much and if I needed extra weight up there, just leave the loader on.
The normal logic is to put weight in the tires and on the rims to not have it put weight on the pivot and axles, which is what suitcase weights do to a tractor.
Now the Dealer filled my rears on my L3200 but not my fronts saying the small amount of extra weight didn't accomplish much and if I needed extra weight up there, just leave the loader on.
85Hokie
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weight on the front is not that important, a loader will supply weight if needed, weight ON the moving parts are not really a concern, the weight by loading the tires does not strain the axle.....because none of the weight is supported BY the machine but rather the tire.....now steering is where the weight comes in, you have to TURN those loaded tires!
most added weight is to the nose of the tractor, thus increasing weight and pressure on the pivot and axle and it too works on the forearms!
I appreciate the interesting speculation, much of which brings up good points. However, what I'm trying to understand is the actual reason Kubota added this to their Operator's Manual. When I read it and talk to many experienced operators as well as Ag tire technicians it becomes even more puzzling that no one has a clue why they would state that front tires should not be ballasted. Quite frankly, I smell the house lawyers at work here. I am of the opinion that this is something that legal made them insert into the manual for liability purposes. That's all well and good but in my opinion, bad information is bad information even it it helps the corporation shield itself from lawsuits.
I really cant see any benefit whatsoever by adding ballast to the front wheels.
It pivots at the centre point on axle,by the time the back gets high enough to bottom out front axle stops im guessing its almost too late.
It pivots at the centre point on axle,by the time the back gets high enough to bottom out front axle stops im guessing its almost too late.
gpreuss
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I also have wondered about this. I think it has to do with the cushion in the tires - if you fill them you lose most of it. Without that cushion, every clump or rock you hit is a heck of a jolt to the front axle drive and steering parts. SOMETHING has to give! Better it be the tire... Front end suitcase weights, or the FEL does not diminish the pillow effect given by the large volume of air.
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BAP
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Actually Skeets, it is more that because the front tires flex so much from turning that if you run tubes in your tire to load them, the tubes can't stand the extra friction and will wear holes in them. When tractor manufacturers started putting FWA (Front Wheel Assist) as the early 4 wheel drive tractors like Kubota has on the market, loading the front tires is what many dealers did for extra weight to counterbalance heavy 3pt hitch loads and extra traction. We had a couple on the farm like that, and the front tires were always going flat from tube failure. It is also a problem with radial rear tires on larger tractors using tubes for loading. On side hills with a lot of sidewall flexing, we would have many flats. Solution to the problem is use more steel weights.