Comparison Loaded tires or Ballast Box?

[HammA5690]

I'm in the middle of negotiating on a jd 2520. The dealer seems to lean toward loading the tires and says that this will not tear up the lawn while mowing with r4's. I would think that being as light as possible while mowing and as heavy as possible while doing loader work would be best. This is why I would think a ballast box would be best. What are everyones thoughts. Ill be mowing, plowing, loader work, and pulling a trailer of firewood.

Thanks

 

[johnk]

Loaded tires give more stability on uneven ground. Ballast box on back is pretty much standard when doing loader work. With the box it takes weight off the front axle whereas with the loaded back tires it doesn't help the front axle at all but will definitely make the tractor more stable and keep the back tires on the ground..

 

[Gittyup]

Tough call. If I were mowing, I'd go with the weight box. However, for serious loader work loaded tires and a ballast box together is best.

 

[kennyd]

First, loaded tires do not replace a BB for FEL work...the weight needs to be behind the rear axle to properly offset the added weight on the front axle. That said, I agree that having tires loaded is not best for finish mowing and I prefer a concrete filled BB hanging on a iMatch QH.

 

[Runner]

There is another option: wheel weights.

Doesn't put as much weight on the tires as loading, but a heck of a lot easier to remove if you decide you don't need it. I need the traction so have six wheel weights on at all times.

 

[TNTractor1]

Runner, I take it you have been happy with wheel weights? I have decided against filling the tires, and instead plan to buy at least 2 wheel weights per side (maybe the max of 3)... The weights for our tractor (2520) is 60 lbs per weight correct? I am thinking the weights will help with the slopes on my property. Can they be installed even when the wheels are in the "wide/reversed" position?

 

[revitupfaster]

I also have the 2520 with R4's, and I went for the ballast box. One of my main objectives was pushing snow with a blade, and the BB sure does help with traction issues for that job.

That being said, I'm also glad that I can drop off the box when mowing. The 2520 is a fairly heavy machine, and I have found that although the R4's aren't too tough on the lawn, you do have to be careful, especially when turning. I realize that is a front end issue, but still, I wouldn't want any more "permanent" weight on the rear when mowing.

REV

 

[whistlepig]

I like to keep the tractor as light as possible for mowing. I do have my tires filled. But as johnk says I do this for the added stability. To me a tractor just doesn't feel right with out loaded tires. For loader work I use a ballast box. The addition of the loader and the ballast box adds another 1,200 pounds to my tractor. Weight when I need it.

 

[Runner]

"The weights for our tractor (2520) is 60 lbs per weight correct? I am thinking the weights will help with the slopes on my property. Can they be installed even when the wheels are in the "wide/reversed" position?"

Yes. My wheels are in the reversed position and I have three weights per side. And you are correct, they are 60 lbs each.

I started out with two per side and couldn't tell any difference. Three is a little better, but still kind of light. I think it's a fairly good compromise between traction and lawn-friendliness.

 

[Deadman]

Ballast box, so light for lawn, and heavy for loader work.

 

[JD3520Turbo]

I just went through this dilemma myself. I was going to go with a ballast box, but I use my 3 point hitch for a box blade and a brush cutter. So when I am using the box blade, I don't have any weight to pull the gravel or snow, so I filled my back tires with wiper washer fluid. Made a big difference.

However, I am not going to like that when I am spreading fertilizer on my yard this spring. I agree with you, when doing yard work, I want the lightest tractor possible. I take my loader off, and everything else I don't need when I use it for spraying or fertilizing. I use a grasshopper to mow the yard.

I have a 3520, and I can't see where I would ever need both a ballast box and fluid in the tires. My loader wouldnt and couldn't lift the back end off the ground with nothing on the back let alone filled tires.

 

[AKfish]

I have a 3520, and I can't see where I would ever need both a ballast box and fluid in the tires. My loader wouldnt and couldn't lift the back end off the ground with nothing on the back let alone filled tires.

Generally, it's not so often that a problem occurs with the loader "lifting the back end" as much as a serious situation develops with a load in the bucket and uneven terrain and the tractor tips or twists with the backend pirouetting on it's side.

Of course, you might be greatly surprised at how fast your loader can lift ONE back tire up... and resulting with the tractor perched up on 3 legs!!

As in digging in a pile and one corner of the bucket snags a root or low spot and you hit the hydraulics to break things loose....!!! It's a pretty unnerving sensation!

Ballast is a very good thing.

AKfish

 

[kennyd]

I have a 3520, and I can't see where I would ever need both a ballast box and fluid in the tires. My loader wouldnt and couldn't lift the back end off the ground with nothing on the back let alone filled tires.

Have you read the loader manual?

 

[TripleR]

A lot is going to depend on your tractor and terrain, some need the added ballast more than others. We use a combination of weights, fluid and 3-point weight on different tractors.

 

[HammA5690]

I actually liked the idea of wheel wieghts. That way the tractor will have the ability to change wieghts on both wheels and ballast box when doing loader work and mowing.

 

[RoyJackson]

I actually liked the idea of wheel wieghts. That way the tractor will have the ability to change wieghts on both wheels and ballast box when doing loader work and mowing.

Just watch your back when installing and removing them. That's an awkward position and it's easy to strain one's back.

 

[HammA5690]

Just watch your back when installing and removing them. That's an awkward position and it's easy to strain one's back.

Will do. I'm still a youngin so it shouldn't be too much of an issue for now.

 

[RoyJackson]

Will do. I'm still a youngin so it shouldn't be too much of an issue for now.

Trust me, back problems and strains aren't age related...I did mine in when I was 41.

 

[pdp11]

I have a 2520 with R4's and loaded rear tires with no wheel weights. I spend a fair amount of time mowing, and the extra weight in the tires has never been a problem. It's actually the fronts that tend to tear up the turf slightly, but only on sharp cornering. The fronts will do the most damage with the FEL attached and 4WD engaged. Unless you use the brakes to turn, I don't think you will get the rears to do much damage while mowing. It may also depend on your soil conditions.

 

[Piston]

I have a 3520, and I can't see where I would ever need both a ballast box and fluid in the tires. My loader wouldnt and couldn't lift the back end off the ground with nothing on the back let alone filled tires.

Is there something wrong with the FEL? It should be strong enough to lift the backend up with nothing on the back and tires not filled?