Ballast Loaded Tires VS Ballast Box
- Thread starter Derekg34
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chrisjbell
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2000
- Messages
- 956
- Tractor
- Kubota B7300; JD LX233
Congratulations on your tractor purchase - that is a nice one you just got.
I do the loaded tire thing - more weight more gooder. Pretty much all the stuff I use my tractor for precluded the use of a balast box so I've never thought about one.
I'd say that the loaded tires w/o ballast box would not be a good solution if you're doing just FEL but with no implement on the back. The only thing that comes to mind where you'd do that would be if you were loading or moving a bunch of gravel, say. But in that scenario you have to have a weight on the back to counterbalance the FEL and just having loaded tires would be dangerous without a ballast box.
Be curious what you're going to be using it for?
I do the loaded tire thing - more weight more gooder. Pretty much all the stuff I use my tractor for precluded the use of a balast box so I've never thought about one.
I'd say that the loaded tires w/o ballast box would not be a good solution if you're doing just FEL but with no implement on the back. The only thing that comes to mind where you'd do that would be if you were loading or moving a bunch of gravel, say. But in that scenario you have to have a weight on the back to counterbalance the FEL and just having loaded tires would be dangerous without a ballast box.
Be curious what you're going to be using it for?
GaryE
Platinum Member
Derek,
A lot has to do with what you use your tractor for and where you live. There are times here in Maine during mud season I am looking to tie helium balloons to my tractor so I don't rip this place apart. Then there are time I just mount the BH for no other reason than to counter balance the FEL.
I have not loaded my tires and I don't think I will, but there are time when I just don't have enough ballast. It all depends on what you need.
Hope this is of some help,
Gary
A lot has to do with what you use your tractor for and where you live. There are times here in Maine during mud season I am looking to tie helium balloons to my tractor so I don't rip this place apart. Then there are time I just mount the BH for no other reason than to counter balance the FEL.
I have not loaded my tires and I don't think I will, but there are time when I just don't have enough ballast. It all depends on what you need.
Hope this is of some help,
Gary
In the summer season, I will be using it to mow about 2.5 acres of mostly hills. It will also be used for spreading mulch, gravel, etc. In winter, I want to get a plow and I may need to upgrade from turfs to ags for snow removal. The only reason I am considering loading the tires is because I can't use the ballast box while mowing...(and I don't want to be taking it off and on all the time). Thanks
GaryE
Platinum Member
Derek,
If you feel you need for "full time weight" then by all means go for the filled tires, it is your best option. Another option is wheel weights. At least you can take them off if you are finding you are ripping up your turf.
I run R4's and I have to tip toe through my lawn (but I am much heavier then you are), Ag's will really do a number on your grass, even with your BX.
It is all a trade off. I like the option of being able to remove the weight if possible.
Good luck,
Gary
If you feel you need for "full time weight" then by all means go for the filled tires, it is your best option. Another option is wheel weights. At least you can take them off if you are finding you are ripping up your turf.
I run R4's and I have to tip toe through my lawn (but I am much heavier then you are), Ag's will really do a number on your grass, even with your BX.
It is all a trade off. I like the option of being able to remove the weight if possible.
Good luck,
Gary
JWE
Gold Member
You will not need loaded tires or any ballast for mowing. I mow steep hillsides without problem and I have no extra weight on the backend.
John
John
wushaw
Elite Member
Loaded tires will have a lower center of gravity than a suspended weight. Tire weights would be second to filled tires.
sandyc
Veteran Member
I use both loaded and ballast box for my rig. In the winter, the ballast box never comes off the tractor so that I always have traction for either plowing and or snowblowing. Currently using Ag tires. When mowing I do not use the box and wait until the grass is dry before starting to mow
gmsssi
Platinum Member
I have loaded tires and when I'm doing loader work expecting to fill the bucket, I put on my BB. It's a bad feeling when you try to pick something up and the rearend bounces!
I vote both........ /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I vote both........ /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
_RaT_
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2000
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- 5,855
- Location
- Peoples Republic of Northern CA.
- Tractor
- Kioti 3510-SE HST
I cannot imagine loaded tires on a BX adding enough weight to be worth the effort. I suspect your talking very few gallons in the rear tires when filled to the top of the rim. I have a L3830 and each rear tire holds about 600 lbs of water. Enough to make a difference and enough to make going up hill while mowing more work on the engine. My tires are not ballasted. My traction is fine.
Schultz
Gold Member
Instead of Ag tires you may want to consider a compromise tire like the new tires they're putting on the JD x5xx or Simplicity Legacy. They're the same size but the tires have larger lugs, kind look like a truck type snow tire. I think there called "field trax".
I'm for loading the tire, I'll probably do that for mine this winter so I don't have to put on the wheel weights.
I'm for loading the tire, I'll probably do that for mine this winter so I don't have to put on the wheel weights.
PAexcavator
Member
The loaded tires will add as much as 123lbs per sideaccording to the manual (my BX1500 shares the same manual) depending on concentration of Calcium.
I'd use either anti freeze or Rimguard (even heavier than Calcium) The big advantage is that it's so low that it keeps your center of gravity down compared to weight elsewhere.
It will help keep the uphill tire on the ground when you try doing things you shouldn't, but sometimes have no choice, like carrying loads in the FEL going down hill, then turning while still on the hill.
When using the FEL the ballast box should also be used. I usually fill my rear tires within a couple days of getting a new tractor. The tires affect more of the side to side stability while the Ballast affects more of the front to rear stability.
I don't have a loader on my BX, but on my L3010 I would rate the loader as somewhere between vicious and flat out TFD (too f'n dangerous) without tires loaded or ballast, with tires loaded and no ballast I would call it a little touchy with heavy loads. With both, a little kid could run it with supervision.
I'd use either anti freeze or Rimguard (even heavier than Calcium) The big advantage is that it's so low that it keeps your center of gravity down compared to weight elsewhere.
It will help keep the uphill tire on the ground when you try doing things you shouldn't, but sometimes have no choice, like carrying loads in the FEL going down hill, then turning while still on the hill.
When using the FEL the ballast box should also be used. I usually fill my rear tires within a couple days of getting a new tractor. The tires affect more of the side to side stability while the Ballast affects more of the front to rear stability.
I don't have a loader on my BX, but on my L3010 I would rate the loader as somewhere between vicious and flat out TFD (too f'n dangerous) without tires loaded or ballast, with tires loaded and no ballast I would call it a little touchy with heavy loads. With both, a little kid could run it with supervision.
dholly
Platinum Member
Here's a question for the more experienced - aside from the 'seat-of-the-pants feel, is there a simple 'rule-of-thumb' percentage when determining tire or box ballast based on FEL capacity? I.e, tire ballast weight should = 75% of FEL breakout weight, or box ballast weight should = 120% of FEL weight capacity at pivot? I don't think I've ever seen one.
JimMorrissey
Veteran Member
Mine were not ballasted either....with great traction.
The extra weight on a BX doesn't seem like it would be worth the soil compaction when mowing. I was thinking weight box when needed would be the best option.
The extra weight on a BX doesn't seem like it would be worth the soil compaction when mowing. I was thinking weight box when needed would be the best option.
Dholly,
I don't know what Kubota Corp. would want, but my old Ford data shows a MINIMUM of 3600 pounds of counter weight (loaded tires, wheel weights, attachments) for my loader that has 3100 # to full height and 5000 breakout.
My Kubota 3410 has loaded tires and usually a Gannon boxblade at 900+ pounds and I almost never feel rear light. That's about 160% of the loaders capacity....
If there was a rule of thumb, it is probably 150% of loader capacity in counterweight.
Have fun!
John_Bud
I don't know what Kubota Corp. would want, but my old Ford data shows a MINIMUM of 3600 pounds of counter weight (loaded tires, wheel weights, attachments) for my loader that has 3100 # to full height and 5000 breakout.
My Kubota 3410 has loaded tires and usually a Gannon boxblade at 900+ pounds and I almost never feel rear light. That's about 160% of the loaders capacity....
If there was a rule of thumb, it is probably 150% of loader capacity in counterweight.
Have fun!
John_Bud
ESM
Member
I just bought a BX23 and went with loaded tires. I did this because I plan to have the backhoe off most of the time and I didn't want to have to install the 3 point hitch just to hold a ballast box. I went with turf tires to save my grass and wanted some extra weight to regain some of the traction I'm sacrificing by not using AGs.
The advantage of a ballast box is that you can remove it whenever you want and also easily adjust the weight. It's not as easy to simply unload your tires but the advantage loaded tires have is it keeps the center of gravity lower and it doesn't add weight to the axle (it's "unsprung" weight if you will).
As RaT points out you're not going to gain a whole lot of weight loading BX tires. I think it's about 100 lbs each, nothing near the 600 lbs he would get per tire on his L3830. Still it's proportional to the size of the tractor, I'm sure the overall weight of BX is allot less then a L3830.
Not to further complicate your decision but wheel weights are also always an option. I doubt anyone could argue there is a single "right" way or "wrong" way but I'm sure everyone would agree that when you get that bucket loaded down you'll want plenty of weight on the back to keep it planted to Tera Firma.
The advantage of a ballast box is that you can remove it whenever you want and also easily adjust the weight. It's not as easy to simply unload your tires but the advantage loaded tires have is it keeps the center of gravity lower and it doesn't add weight to the axle (it's "unsprung" weight if you will).
As RaT points out you're not going to gain a whole lot of weight loading BX tires. I think it's about 100 lbs each, nothing near the 600 lbs he would get per tire on his L3830. Still it's proportional to the size of the tractor, I'm sure the overall weight of BX is allot less then a L3830.
Not to further complicate your decision but wheel weights are also always an option. I doubt anyone could argue there is a single "right" way or "wrong" way but I'm sure everyone would agree that when you get that bucket loaded down you'll want plenty of weight on the back to keep it planted to Tera Firma.
