Ballast Compact TLB should i remove tire fluid?

[boostmg]

Ok guys so i have a field where i do drainage work, it gets wet there. I bought a Branson TLB to help out with digging trenches. I did some work last year and for the most part it did well however wondering if it would do even better without fluid in the tires?

the main reason is because i am thinking if i could “crab” the tractor easier by moving the backend with tires off the ground with the backhoe that it would make the machine a little more nimble.

having the tire ballast adds i think about 800 extra pounds.

i guess the only downside is maybe my traction wouldn’t be as good? And maybe the machine will fee less stable?

i don’t know because I’ve never drove the tractor without tire ballast.

looking for opinions.

Thank yiu

 

[jeff9366]

Whether you need tire ballast at all with the Backhoe removed is dependent on tractor horsepower. Moderate horsepower may not need any ballast. Max horsepower may need filled rear tires + wheel weights for traction.

What model Branson do you have?

Add your Branson brand and model to your T-B-N PROFILE, displacing "none".

 

[boostmg]

I just did. I have a Branson 3620

 

[jeff9366]

Branson 3520H​

2014 - Compact Utility tractor

Production
Manufacturer:	Branson
Type:	Compact Utility tractor

Branson 3520H Power
Engine:	35 hp 26.1 kW
PTO (claimed):	29 hp 21.6 kW

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	70.9 inches 180 cm
Length:	130 inches 330 cm
Width:	64 inches 162 cm *
Height (ROPS):	98 inches 248 cm
Weight:	4053 lbs 1838 kg
Ground clearance:	12.7 inches 32 cm

 

[jeff9366]

Moderate horsepower may not need any ballast.

Your Branson 3520H has the same 35 horsepower as my Kubota L3560. Your Branson 3520 is 548 bare weight pounds heavier than my Kubota L3560.

Kubota L3560 Weight
	3483 lbs 1579 kg (DT ROPS)
	3494 lbs 1584 kg (GST ROPS)
	3505 lbs 1589 kg (hydro ROPS)

The tires on my open station Kubota L3560 are inflated only with air. I have no problems holding traction. With the additional 548 bare weight pounds your Branson should be more inclined to hold traction than my Kubota L3560.

In my opinion you can empty liquid from your tires and lose nothing doing field work.

If stability is a concern on hillsides, decrease tire fill to 50% for the lowest center-of-gravity.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Ok guys so i have a field where i do drainage work, it gets wet there. I bought a Branson TLB to help out with digging trenches. I did some work last year and for the most part it did well however wondering if it would do even better without fluid in the tires?

the main reason is because i am thinking if i could “crab” the tractor easier by moving the backend with tires off the ground with the backhoe that it would make the machine a little more nimble.

having the tire ballast adds i think about 800 extra pounds.

i guess the only downside is maybe my traction wouldn’t be as good? And maybe the machine will fee less stable?

i don’t know because I’ve never drove the tractor without tire ballast.

looking for opinions.

Thank yiu

When I had my JD 4520 with backhoe I never had fluid in the tires. The hoe itself weighed 1200 lbs. It worked well. I could raise the rear and move around to do exactly as you are describing. I don’t think I could have moved it that way with fluid in the tires. If you are unable to do this now I think you would find it very useful.

 

[frogpond]

Well, just to confuse things:

I have a smaller TLB, a BX25D. I have loaded tires (beet juice). I do a lot of backhoe work, and a lot of loader work. I don't have any problem shifting the tractor around or ooching it along with the backhoe. In fact, I wouldn't mind more weight everywhere to keep the tractor from moving when digging stumps and rocks. A load of dirt or gravel in the loader bucket helps as a counterweight when using the backhoe (particularly when the backhoe is downhill); and the loaded tires and the backhoe help as a counterweight when using the loader. Unless your power-to-weight ratio is radically weaker than on my little outfit, I can't see the benefit of removing the liquid from the tires. The weight is often so helpful--it keeps you from pushing yourself around unintentionally.

I sense an implied question as to whether your tractor would sink into the mud less if it weighed less. I doubt that you would float on the mud if you reduced the tire ballast weight. If you want better traction, I suggest that you consider changing to more aggressive tires, or adding tire chains when you work in mud.

And yes, the tire ballast does increase stability on side hills and when manipulating heavy loads with the loader bucket, the grapple, and the backhoe bucket.

 

[Smokeydog]

We have Kubota B26 and M59. Both need tire ballast for 80% of the time they don’t have a backhoe mounted for our hillside farm. No problem having ballast using the backhoe. Can still lift and reposition using the backhoe. Ballast more for traction than stability. Wheel spacing helps with stability. Combined compliment each other.

Don’t know about your specific tractor and backhoe.

 

[loggin]

Ok guys so i have a field where i do drainage work, it gets wet there. I bought a Branson TLB to help out with digging trenches. I did some work last year and for the most part it did well however wondering if it would do even better without fluid in the tires?

the main reason is because i am thinking if i could “crab” the tractor easier by moving the backend with tires off the ground with the backhoe that it would make the machine a little more nimble.

having the tire ballast adds i think about 800 extra pounds.

i guess the only downside is maybe my traction wouldn’t be as good? And maybe the machine will fee less stable?

i don’t know because I’ve never drove the tractor without tire ballast.

looking for opinions.

Thank yiu

You might want to check with your dealer or manuals. The owner's manual for the Kubota BH92 backhoe attachment says to remove rear ballast when the backhoe is attached to the tractor.

Just thought I'd mention.

 

[boostmg]

Lots of good replies. My manual mentions nothing of the ballast with backhoe on.

i think i will just keep it ballasted now. I’m sure it may be more nimble without it but. I know the hoe can lift it.

if i knew an easy quick way to drain and store the fluid i might be more inclined to test it.