Fill Em yourself wheel weights for 12" wheels

[SkunkWerX]

I don't know if this fits in Build-it or Attachments section, forgive my inability to categorize this one.

Leading up to present:

I have been looking for solid steel wheel weights for 12" wheels, but even on Flea-bay the prices and shipping are killers. JD makes arguably the best weights for 12" wheels, but the garden-tractor pullig crowd gobble them up for big bux. Craigslist hasn't helped either, lots of the plastic ones, going for $100+ per set.

(If anyone has some steel JD weights they wanna part with, PM me!)

Build your own:
I was looking at some of the older threads that made adapters and used steel barbell weights and thought that was a viable way to go. Unfortunatley, for 12" wheels you can't fit 25# barbell discs into the wheels, so you are stuck with 10# ers. Can't fit but about 3 or 4 of them, back to square one.

I figured if I was going to use plastic ones, I certainly wasn't paying the cost of frieght for shipping dried cement. Found these on line, fill em yourself. Looked promising.
TRAC WEIGHTS

Gave them a phone call (they are in PA). Was a little bit disappointed that the 12" model would top out at about 45# filled with Cement/Sand Mix.
UGH! I don't have a big machine, but I was looking for closer to 75# per wheel, not 45#. Told them I would call back.

Got thinking, hmmm, what if I stuffed them with not only sandmix or concrete mix, but also lead and steel scraps? Hey, that may do it!!!
Called back, ordered a set this morning. If you fill out the internet form, they will call you back for billing info. Shipping will be about $7.50, since they are hollow.

So, at lunchtime today, rolled into one of the local tire shops, and begged them for some wheelweights. Well, it's that time of year, and the muzzle-loaders had recently cleared them out to make their round balls.
They told me I was welcomed to what they had. Got about 40# of lead wheel weights! Not a bad haul for the first attempt. I'll hit another tire shop on Friday and see if i can get a few more lbs. I also have enough peices of scrap steel around, I can stuff the smaller bits in there too.

I might not make the full 75# to equal the nice JD steel weights, but if I can get these puppies up to maybe 60# a piece, I'll be happy enough, and it will be better than having nothing when it comes to snow plowing.

More news to follow, will give a product review and pics once I have them in my grubby hands.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Here are the Trac Weights, they arrived today.
Plastic shells is what I expected, and that's what I got.

I'm pleased that they are fairly deep, close to 7 inches deep, so, I should be able to stuff lots fo lead wheel weights into these things, along with concrete mix.

Shooting for 75# per weight.

 

[bobodu]

Have you considered filling those big tires???
I just wonder how much weight is advisable to hang on the axles....

 

[SkunkWerX]

Have you considered filling those big tires???
I just wonder how much weight is advisable to hang on the axles....

Yes I considered filling them, but, I don't need the weight except for winter, snow plowing.

Wheel weights bear their weight down on the tires, via the rims they are bolted to. The axles can carry a lot of weight. The entire rear of the tractor
as well as the weight of a large rear implement.

If you were going 60 mph, then balancing could become a big issue.

 

[Defective]

Rather than just stuffing the wheel weights in & filling up with cement, I'd suggest chopping the weights up into small bits & mixing them into the cement.

Of course, if you've already thought of this, ignore this post.

 

[bobodu]

I was referring to torsional stress...

 

[SkunkWerX]

Defective, that is good thought, coating them really good with mix will allow it all to pour and settle better. I was thinking about ways to make sure there were no air pockets or voids. thanks.

bobadu, torsional stress, meaning twisting of the axle?
they make wheel weights up to 75# for smaller machines, all of them have 12inch wheels. In essence, I am simply putting garden tractor weights on a BX. I'm thinking we create exponentially more torsional stress on axles pulling box blades, grader blades, full trailers and such.
I appreciate your concern, but, I don't think the manufacturer would spec wheels with proper holes for mounting weights, unless they intended for the possibility of weights in certain applications.

Many snowblower and snowplow kits come with weights and chains as part of the whole package.

I've got some folks beating the streets for some more used wheel weights, might be able to pour in a few days.

 

[MikeD74T]

You might also consider putting in some pieces of wire to reinforce the concrete. I've seen concrete barbell weights that cracked & fell apart without any actual use. Pouring this late in the season & using in below freezing weather could also cause expansion since excess water can be retained by the plastic. Hope they work well for you. MikeD74T

 

[SkunkWerX]

You might also consider putting in some pieces of wire to reinforce the concrete. I've seen concrete barbell weights that cracked & fell apart without any actual use. Pouring this late in the season & using in below freezing weather could also cause expansion since excess water can be retained by the plastic. Hope they work well for you. MikeD74T

Mike,
Thanks for the additional ideas. I'll pour them and then keep them in a climate controlled area for a few days or a week, so they set correctly.

The wire is a good idea. I'll have to cut it into workable pieces, or strips, since the pour hole is about 3" in diameter.

 

[MrJimi]

I wonder how well a plastic weight bolted to a wheel will hold up with all that weight inside will hold up with the rotating and bouncing the tractor will do not to count the branches etc. that could bump these weights.
I picture a cement mixer with wheel weights inside turning slow.
Jim