BCS dual wheel weight setup: liquid filled or solid tires?

[UTCenturion]

I recently acquired a BCS 749 with the powersafe clutch and 13 hp honda. I've got a bell logsplitter (which has been awesome) for it this winter but my main function I bought it for is going to be mowing my steep pastures and creekbanks. I'm wanting to put dual wheels on it to make it more stable on a steep slope and thought they'ld probably work even better with some weight atleast on the outer most wheels. I know Earth tools offers rubber filled solid tires on a new tire purchase. Those increase the weight and reduce the maintanence so I've got those as an option. But I'm also wondering if liquid filled tires might be a better option for mowing rough pasture since you can leave an air gap inside so the tires retain their springiness/ shock absorption. My big tractor is liquid filled in the rear tires. I've got a solid bush hog tire and it has absolutely no springiness. it might as well be made of steel, and I have to be careful what it drives over. I have bent a swivel frame before on the thing.

Does anyone have any experience with foam or liquid filled tires on a 2- wheel tractor?

 

[TimberXX]

I have no experience with either of those setups.

I purchased the adjustable wheel extensions, which I maxed out and added iron wheel weights to the wheels. Its great on slopes, only needs two tires, and the rims can be reused.

I've seen people with double wheel setups use the steel wheels as their second set of duals

I have a 107d, so a little smaller than your machine.

 

[UTCenturion]

thanks for the info,

do you have the stock wheel size or larger?

Can you clarify what you mean by "the rims can be reused"?

 

[joecoin]

I bought a 107d last August, specifically for brush mowing on slopes. It has 20 " tires , no foam or liquid. 5 inch axle extensions. 11hp Honda engine. I mow up to a 30 degree slope with little problem. I only mow up or down on that steep of a slope.

The biggest issue I have is the engine skid plate will bottom out if I try to mow across a low spot. I'm saving up for a set of larger tires with the foam. I have had one flat tire so far (locust thorns).

 

[UTCenturion]

I bought a 107d last August, specifically for brush mowing on slopes. It has 20 " tires , no foam or liquid. 5 inch axle extensions. 11hp Honda engine. I mow up to a 30 degree slope with little problem. I only mow up or down on that steep of a slope.

The biggest issue I have is the engine skid plate will bottom out if I try to mow across a low spot. I'm saving up for a set of larger tires with the foam. I have had one flat tire so far (locust thorns).

By mow across a low spot you mean like crossing a ditch?

Mine has the 5x10x20 wheels but i have no experience mowing with that size yet. Only thing I've done is try to pull my log splitter around a muddy jobsite. Its very easy for the tractor to lose traction in mud pulling this big heavy log splitter which probably weighs slightly more than the tractor and doesn't put weight on the wheels like a mower or tiller would.

 

[TimberXX]

thanks for the info, do you have the stock wheel size or larger? Can you clarify what you mean by "the rims can be reused"?

When the rims are foam filled when the tires wear flat, the rims are trash. Also liquid filled tires could damage the rim too.

The rims on these machines aren't too expensive, but I run on gravel and turn on pavement often, so I try to reuse the rims

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[TimberXX]

thanks for the info, do you have the stock wheel size or larger? Can you clarify what you mean by "the rims can be reused"?

Oh and I have stock tires.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[UTCenturion]

these days the liquid they put in equipment tires is supposed to be non-rust causing. Its not just plain old water.

 

[joecoin]

By mow across a low spot you mean like crossing a ditch?

Mine has the 5x10x20 wheels but i have no experience mowing with that size yet. Only thing I've done is try to pull my log splitter around a muddy jobsite. Its very easy for the tractor to lose traction in mud pulling this big heavy log splitter which probably weighs slightly more than the tractor and doesn't put weight on the wheels like a mower or tiller would.

Yes, going across a ditch, and very shallow ditches at that. I've learned to mow parallel with any depression.

You may want to add some wheel weights to help with moving the splitter.

 

[TimberXX]

There is a company in Canada that builds tracks for BCS equipment. Check them out on you tube. I'm sure it's expensive.

 

[TimberXX]

Here is a pic of my setup. I have the generator installed here.

One issue with this setup is ground clearance suffers since the wheels are so far apart.

 

[UTCenturion]

thanks for the photo. that looks slick. My original thought when purchasing the tractor was to dual-wheel the 10 inch rims to get extra surface area but also keep the tractors center of gravity low. Seems like ground clearance is something lots of folks have issues with though. I'll give mowing with these size wheels a try first, but I possibly should have gone with a larger size.

 

[leonz]

There is no reason you cannot fill the dual tires
with Windshield Washer Fluid The windshield
washer fluid will not damage the rims and
not require you to use tubes.

If you go the dual tire route and load the tires be sure to use walk
behind snow blower chains sized to these tires to aid in traction-
try it first with loaded tires onthe original tires and see if you are comfortable
with the added weight and traction from the extra 12 pounds+-(total) in the two tires.

 

[Jens767]

Hi UTCenturion

I have no experience with liquid filled or solid tires myself, but I do use my BCS 740 for mowing, so perhaps you can use some of my experience nevertheless.

The "standard" tires might be the best choice for certain tasks (like tilling), but I do not think mowing is one of them With the 5x10x20" wheels, I had 11 cm (just over 4") ground clearance when parking on a hard surface. Most of this clearance was gone as soon as I drove unto my lawn. You will probably mow on even rougher terrain, so I expect you to hang up a lot. For mowing, I think big diameter tires are the best choice. Without extensions, this means 6.5x12x23" on your tractor. The relative small 3" increase in outer diameter might sound modest, but instead of giving just the 1 1/2" extra ground clearance as one might expect, I almost doubled it to 20 cm (8")! As a bonus your tractor will run 15 % faster.

Stability comes from a low center of gravity (CG) and a large outside track width, so mounting your wheels in the widest possible setting within the width of your mower, will give you a good stability. Adding wheel weights will lower the CG, and thereby also increase stability - and traction, by the way.

I look forward to hear about your experience mowing "steep pastures and creek banks". Depending on the size/weight of your mower, I find it very difficult to mow across a slope steeper than 10 degrees, as gravity pulls the mower downhill. An older BCS Owners Manual recommends mowing across a slope when walking behind the tractor. I have tried that, but I simply was not able to, so I have to mow up and down.


Best regards

Jens

 

[davesl708]

My BX has foam filled front tires for the FEL. I use it to push snow as well as large rocks and logs. They are 11yrs old and I have had no issues.
As stated before. Stability is base on SOG. Traction is based on tread design. Additional weight front and back will help with both.

 

[otus_branch]

But I'm also wondering if liquid filled tires might be a better option for mowing rough pasture since you can leave an air gap inside so the tires retain their springiness/ shock absorption. My big tractor is liquid filled in the rear tires. I've got a solid bush hog tire and it has absolutely no springiness. it might as well be made of steel, and I have to be careful what it drives over. I have bent a swivel frame before on the thing.

Does anyone have any experience with foam or liquid filled tires on a 2- wheel tractor?

With my BCS 850, I have experienced only benefits from having the tires filled solid with foam. The weigt is great, not worrying about flats (I have locust, barberry, multiflora rose, etc.) is great, and the reduced springiness is not a concern. Everything on the BCS seems rugged enough to handle the shocks of brush mowing and other rough tasks with solid wheels. Remember that BCS itself makes and sells steel wheels too...

-otus