Tires To load or not to load tires

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have debating this for a little while. I have a 05 4320 JD, the thing weighs around 5200lbs with the cab as far as the closest estimate. I don't really pull anything with it right now, mainly FEL work but I like the idea of putting more weight down low to offset the cab. BUT don't like the idea of all the moisture on the rims.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Not that I'm an example of long term reliability, but I love the extra weight and better traction. Keep your rims covered and your good to go. Check out rimguard or windshield washer fluid. I bet you'll consider it one of the best things you do to your tractor

Brett

 

[bdog]

I would not own a tractor without loaded tires. It makes a huge difference. I have never had any problems with the rims. My 1980 4440 has loaded tires I am guessing they have always been loaded. 36 years and still going strong.

Every tractor I have operated and especially small ones have had way more power than traction. When you push your tractor to the limits does the engine bog down and stall or do you lose traction? I have never seen a tractor with more traction than power. Adding weight will help the traction issue immensely. It also aids in stability because the weight is down low.

For loader work the back end of a tractor gets mighty light when lifting heavy things. Loading the tires will help.

The only downside I can see to loading tires is it makes it heavier to transport which may be an issue if your trailer is marginal, you might rut up your lawn more due to the added weight, and flats are a mess but I have only had one rear flat in 15 years of tractoring.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have debating this for a little while. I have a 05 4320 JD, the thing weighs around 5200lbs with the cab as far as the closest estimate. I don't really pull anything with it right now, mainly FEL work but I like the idea of putting more weight down low to offset the cab. BUT don't like the idea of all the moisture on the rims.

Rim Guard in all four tires.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Rim Guard in all four tires.

Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast

Is this the stuff that's like windshield washer fluid?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would not own a tractor without loaded tires. It makes a huge difference. I have never had any problems with the rims. My 1980 4440 has loaded tires I am guessing they have always been loaded. 36 years and still going strong.

Every tractor I have operated and especially small ones have had way more power than traction. When you push your tractor to the limits does the engine bog down and stall or do you lose traction? I have never seen a tractor with more traction than power. Adding weight will help the traction issue immensely. It also aids in stability because the weight is down low.

For loader work the back end of a tractor gets mighty light when lifting heavy things. Loading the tires will help.

The only downside I can see to loading tires is it makes it heavier to transport which may be an issue if your trailer is marginal, you might rut up your lawn more due to the added weight, and flats are a mess but I have only had one rear flat in 15 years of tractoring.

I have a buddy with a 2500hd and a tandem 10k equipment trailer, my tractor is barely over half that now, that rig is what I used to bring it home, truck barely knew it was back there

 

[RoyJackson]

Unless you have a backhoe, I'd have those rear tires filled.
Another option...and one I prefer, is a rear weight box. The weight box, IMHO, is a better choice since you can drop it off pretty easily.
However, the filled tires add more stability (then a weight box) if you run across slopes.

 

[JerryK]

Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast

Is this the stuff that's like windshield washer fluid?

Rimguard is sugar beet juice... Tastes/smells/sticky kind of like thin mole arses... usually loose a tiny bit each time you check or adjust tire pressure, but washes right off... Makes you look around and wonder where the cookies are...

 

[motownbrowne]

Load 'em. Or get cast weights. Or both...

 

[jenkinsph]

You can add three 110 lb. weights to each rear wheel if you don't like the fluid fill. I use this set up on my 4520 with good results.

 

[oosik]

I have Rimguard in my rear tires - they are 16.9 x 28, hold 69 gallons in each tire - adds 738# per tire. This improves stability & traction considerably. I would not like to operate around my property without this added measure of safety.

 

[JerryK]

If you plan on trailering your tractor, the extra weight has to be considered along with being able to position the tractor for proper tongue weight.... Cab'd tractors are usually hauled facing backwards unless you secure the cab doors real good. Same with hood/etc.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Rim Guard - Liquid Tire Ballast

Is this the stuff that's like windshield washer fluid?

No, it is beet juice. Read the link you posted. At the bottom of the linked page beet juice doesn't freeze easily, it doesn't corrode, and it is heavier than water.

It'll smooth out the ride of your tractor too.

 

[dickfoster]

I have debating this for a little while. I have a 05 4320 JD, the thing weighs around 5200lbs with the cab as far as the closest estimate. I don't really pull anything with it right now, mainly FEL work but I like the idea of putting more weight down low to offset the cab. BUT don't like the idea of all the moisture on the rims.

For what it's worth I'd bet that there are more filled tractor tires than not, especially with a FEL. My dealer filled my rears as a matter of course before they delivered the tractor. Rimguard aka beet juice, won't wreck your rims and it's a bit heavier than water.

 

[roadhunter]

Another option popular in the construction industry is foaming your tires which gives you the benefit of weight as well as tires that can't go flat. This is the next step beyond simply using windshield washer fluid or beet juice which has been done for decades.

Flats never seem to happen in good places and the hassle of dealing with the liquid mess only makes it more difficult and leads to more downtime.

I do this to my tractors and to equipment that I use in the woods moving logs. Every now and then someone will notice one of the nails and screws in my tires. It's nice to not have to worry about flat tires on equipment.

Here is some more info.
TyrFil(R) Tire Flatproofing • Accella Tire Fill

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Another option popular in the construction industry is foaming your tires which gives you the benefit of weight as well as tires that can't go flat. This is the next step beyond simply using windshield washer fluid or beet juice which has been done for decades.

Flats never seem to happen in good places and the hassle of dealing with the liquid mess only makes it more difficult and leads to more downtime.

I do this to my tractors and to equipment that I use in the woods moving logs. Every now and then someone will notice one of the nails and screws in my tires. It's nice to not have to worry about flat tires on equipment.

Here is some more info.
TyrFil(R) Tire Flatproofing • Accella Tire Fill

Interesting, how much does something like that cost to fill tires? Is that just rears or all 4s?

 

[Thomas]

Rim guard the rears and you'll have better traction also FEL work.

 

[roadhunter]

Interesting, how much does something like that cost to fill tires? Is that just rears or all 4s?

It's been a few years since I have had anything done but I remember it being somewhat expensive. But being broken down with a flat and having to haul a damaged tire full of liquid is also costly and messy. I'm sure there are dealers in your area who can give you a price if you give them a tire size. I always do all 4 tires.

Looks like these guys offer that service in Columbus.
Columbus, OH Services :: W. D. Tire Warehouse, Inc.

 

[motownbrowne]

Filling tires with foam is expensive. More expensive than beet juice, but the foam won't run out if you poke a hole in your tire.

That said, it's essentially the same thing as filling your tires with concrete. It's not foam like a mattress. It will make your ride much much worse than air or fluid. Personally, I'd never consider it on a tractor unless I was commercially bush hogging. Then I might consider it in the front tires.

 

[roadhunter]

Filling tires with foam is expensive. More expensive than beet juice, but the foam won't run out if you poke a hole in your tire.

That said, it's essentially the same thing as filling your tires with concrete. It's not foam like a mattress. It will make your ride much much worse than air or fluid. Personally, I'd never consider it on a tractor unless I was commercially bush hogging. Then I might consider it in the front tires.

This is absolutely false. The foam is not rigid in any way and has no properties similar to those of concrete. Please do some research before you spread misinformation like that.

With beet juice if you damage a tire you lose the fluid in the tire and have to take the whole thing back to the tire shop for repairs and to refill the beet juice. That likely takes up a day or more by the time it's all said and done and is a huge mess to deal with not to mention likely requires another tractor to move/load the damaged tire/wheel assembly. With foam in your tires you spend that day working instead of wasting time and $. In the end it's cheaper to use foam for people like me who use equipment in places like construction sites and in the timber where tire damage is common. It may not be for everyone but it's certainly a legitimate option that not only gives you increased traction/stability but also makes your machine more capable and tires more dependable driving over debris.