BX25: Fill rear tires or not?

Habeas Kubotas · Dec 8, 2012

Greetings:

I'm new as a poster but a longtime reader who, like many others, has benefitted tremendously from the wealth of information available on this forum. So, thanks for what you've already taught me, and for what I hope you'll teach me in response to this question. I've searched the forum for other information on this, but didn't turn up anything that I'd call conclusive (or sufficiently so to prevent me from posting anyway).

I just made a deal to acquire a used BX25, which will be a step up from my current BX1860. Having enjoyed good results with filled rear tires on the BX1860, I went ahead and arranged to have the rears on the BX25 filled as well. Then I got home, settled in for some quality time with the manual, and discovered the admonition that "liquid ballast in the rear tires should be removed" when using the backhoe. The idea of loading and unloading tires every time the hoe is used is totally impractical to me, so I'm now faced with a choice between (a) following the manual, which I expect will detract from loader work with the backhoe off and may adversely affect traction while mowing, etc., or (b) ignoring the manual advice and pressing ahead with filling the tires. My questions are:

1. Does anyone know the actual rationale for the don't-load-the-tires instruction?

2. If you have a BX25 (or 24 or 23), are your rear tires filled, and if so, have you encountered any adverse effects?

3. For anyone experienced with Kubota wheel weights, are they a decent substitute for filled tires, not just with loader work but also with keeping a low center of gravity for hillside mowing?

I'll be grateful for any light you all may be able to shed on this.

4520 islander · Dec 8, 2012

I would go with wheel weights, it takes more hp to turn a filled tire, then wheel weights.

BIG DOOLEY · Dec 8, 2012

Could possible have to do with the down riggers lifting capacity and additional weight caused from digging?
Surely is not added weight to the rear axle.
With the rear loader you will have ballast, unless manuverabilty is a problem with the loader on.

BXinNH · Dec 8, 2012

I have a BX24 with rear tires filled by the dealer when it was new. I read the same thing in the manual and still don't know the logic behind not filling the tires. I have not had any problems in the four years I've had it. FWIW. Good luck with your BX.

JOHNTHOMAS · Dec 9, 2012

Had a BX25 with non loaded tires and currently have a B2620 FEL BH with non loaded tires. With BH on there is no need for extra weight. With BH off, which for me would be rare or will be off to attach bush hog mower, or tiller or plow or boxblade or over seeder which any of them would provide the weight needed for FEL work and with out fel work no need for extra weight.
If it's already added I wouldn't worry to much and doubt I'd remove it but if I could call and tell them to not add tghe fluid, I would because I can't see any need for it. Buy almost any implement for rear weight if you think you need it.

rbarker · Dec 9, 2012

Habeas Kubotas said:
2. If you have a BX25 (or 24 or 23), are your rear tires filled, and if so, have you encountered any adverse effects?

I have a BX25 now and previously a BX2200 with Woods groundbreaker backhoe. Neither tractor has filled rear tires. I use it to mow the lawn all summer and I didn't really want the extra weight. I guess I can't really compare since I never tried one with filled rears but there has never been a time in my 11 years of ownership when I said to myself "gee, if only I had filled those rear tires..." If I'm using the loader I always drop an 3ph attachment or the backhoe on for counterweight and have found that to be adequate.

GolfAddict · Dec 9, 2012

I have a BX24 with about 650 hours now, probably about the last half of those were after I filled the rear tires. Since you already know what a huge difference that makes I don't need to go into the advantages of having them filled. I've never understood exactly the reason for not filling the rears with the backhoe installed. The added weight of filled rears is directly on the ground, not the axle.

I suppose it is more work for the tractor to move around the extra weight of the liquid in addition to the hoe when you have the heavy backhoe on, but it has more than enough power for that, especially since you can always switch to Low range where needed. The only other thing I can think of is that the weight of filled rears and the back hoe together can certainly cause it to leave deeper wheel impressions on the ground.

I personally would never go back to unfilled rears. I should also say though that the majority of the hours I spend using my BX24 is without having the backhoe installed. It's so easy to remove and install as needed that I only have the hoe mounted when I actually need to use it.

radioman · Dec 9, 2012

Habeas Kubotas said:
My questions are:

1. Does anyone know the actual rationale for the don't-load-the-tires instruction?
I really dont know either. it's been driving me crazy too. Its the most ridiculous thing I ever read in any manuals.
2. If you have a BX25 (or 24 or 23), are your rear tires filled, and if so, have you encountered any adverse effects?
Nope. none. nada.

3. For anyone experienced with Kubota wheel weights, are they a decent substitute for filled tires, not just with loader work but also with keeping a low center of gravity for hillside mowing?
I can attest that filled tires DOES help the BX on hillsides mowing. I mow my ditch sideways at a steep angle - not up and down.

I'll be grateful for any light you all may be able to shed on this.

A little background: I have my BX24 for over 4 years and counting. When I first got it, my tires were not filled and after 4 seasons, I decided to get them filled. The filled tires really helps with traction plowing snow. really helps with lower COG. really helps with BH off and full load of materials in FEL. I used my BH to do alot of digging with filled rears and the outriggers just works fine. I think that line in the kubota manual about "removing liquid filled ballast before using BH" is a bunch of hooey, the most baloney statement I ever read in my life(pardon my french)

. I asked the same question here in TBN, others did too and NOT a single reason why to do so.

idaho181 · Dec 9, 2012

Had the Beet Juice put in my rear tires on my L4600 in October when I bought it. Using it on my place where I have a lot of slopes and very uneven ground it seemed to be very stable. It been used primarily for moving and spreading 2 inch rock on the roads using the 72 inch bucket. I went with the Beet Juice after talking with my neighbors with similar ground conditions. The guys with tractors the same size or somewhat larger than my L4600 have been using the juice in the wheels for years. The larger JD tractors with more weight aren't using it. I will be pushing snow this next week and we will see if the traction is Happy Happy Happy.

radioman said:
A little background: I have my BX24 for over 4 years and counting. When I first got it, my tires were not filled and after 4 seasons, I decided to get them filled. The filled tires really helps with traction plowing snow. really helps with lower COG. really helps with BH off and full load of materials in FEL. I used my BH to do alot of digging with filled rears and the outriggers just works fine. I think that line in the kubota manual about "removing liquid filled ballast before using BH" is a bunch of hooey, the most baloney statement I ever read in my life(pardon my french) . I asked the same question here in TBN, others did too and NOT a single reason why to do so.

thavil · Dec 9, 2012

My BX24 has had filled rears from day one and will always have them filled. As others have mentioned, no issues at all with the outriggers lifting the tractor with them filled.

Tractor Seabee · Dec 9, 2012

When I bought my BX25 2 years ago I asked the dealer about filling the tires. He stated as long as the tractor was in warranty he would not do it and if I had it done elsewhere it would void the drive train and engine warranty. He said the reason is on the 25 the tire side walls were too weak to withstand the extra pressure especially with the BH or a heavy implement attached. I discussed with my local Schwab tire dealer and thay do it all the time on SCUTS. They have a Yanmar dealer down the block and they fill their SCUTS before selling. They have tires similar to the BX. I am on the fence. I need to lower my COG as I am now working on hilly terrain a lot. Wheel weights sound like a PIA and suitcase weights are very expensive and you never see them used. I may just resort to making hang on concrete weights of various weights. I would make brackets so they hang as low as possible. I will be watching this thread to solidify what action I will take.

Ron

idaho181 · Dec 9, 2012

Forgive me........what's a SCUTS??????????

Tractor Seabee said:
When I bought my BX25 2 years ago I asked the dealer about filling the tires. He stated as long as the tractor was in warranty he would not do it and if I had it done elsewhere it would void the drive train and engine warranty. He said the reason is on the 25 the tire side walls were too weak to withstand the extra pressure especially with the BH or a heavy implement attached. I discussed with my local Schwab tire dealer and thay do it all the time on SCUTS. They have a Yanmar dealer down the block and they fill their SCUTS before selling. They have tires similar to the BX. I am on the fence. I need to lower my COG as I am now working on hilly terrain a lot. Wheel weights sound like a PIA and suitcase weights are very expensive and you never see them used. I may just resort to making hang on concrete weights of various weights. I would make brackets so they hang as low as possible. I will be watching this thread to solidify what action I will take.

Ron

DT86 · Dec 9, 2012

idaho181 said:
Forgive me........what's a SCUTS??????????

Sub Compact Utility Tractor

94BULLITT · Dec 9, 2012

I say fill them. The tires are filled on my BX. If you take the loader off you will be glad to have the weight. The Kubota weights are concrete covered in plastic just like a lawn mower set. The ones off of the Cub Cadet I had would have fit the BX. The weights will stick out past the tires some. Fluid filled tires will give you more traction and stability.

My BX owners manual says you can either fill the tires or use wheels weights but not both or you will damage the trans.

Deano · Dec 9, 2012

Fill them and don't look back!

ultrarunner · Dec 9, 2012

I had my BX23 rears foam filled because I was tired of flats at the most inopportune times.

As a benefit, I noticed stability improved as did backhoe operation.

I don't mow with the BX...

RaydaKub · Dec 9, 2012

94BULLITT said:
My BX owners manual says you can either fill the tires or use wheels weights but not both or you will damage the trans.

Yeah. Though I have mine filled and hung another 50 lbs on them this summer to handle my hills. Why would either one be ok, but the combination be a no-no? I can't imagine why that would put more wear on components than the same weight all in one form or another. I figure my 11 gallons must be somewhere around 100 lbs in each wheel plus the 50 lbs on the wheel. Yet I've seen one of the guys here put somewhere around 200# in weights and that's acceptable?

94BULLITT · Dec 10, 2012

RaydaKub said:
Yeah. Though I have mine filled and hung another 50 lbs on them this summer to handle my hills. Why would either one be ok, but the combination be a no-no? I can't imagine why that would put more wear on components than the same weight all in one form or another. I figure my 11 gallons must be somewhere around 100 lbs in each wheel plus the 50 lbs on the wheel. Yet I've seen one of the guys here put somewhere around 200# in weights and that's acceptable?

I don't if the extra rotating mass woul be hard on the trans or what their reasoning is for not filling the tires and adding wheel weights.

Habeas Kubotas · Dec 10, 2012

Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies. After reading them over and pondering a bit more, I think I'm going to stick with the plan to have the rears filled. In my case, the decision is driven by the uses to which I intend to put the machine. While I do have several backhoe projects lined up, and will obviously have the hoe on while doing them, I expect that the hoe will be off and stowed in the garage at all other times, e.g., mowing, miscellaneous loader work, snow removal, etc. I know I could get the same or better ballast effect by hooking up my box blade or rake, but that adds length, reduces maneuverability, and takes extra time. Given that several people have described their own long term, trouble-free use of BX TLBs with loaded rears, and that my machine is likely to spend most its life with me imitating a BX2360, I feel pretty comfortable taking my chances.