Loaded Tires

[TheMan419]

Kind of looking forward to snow removal. Had the rear's on my SCUT loaded with Rim Guard. I know using the tiller as additional ballast made moving snow so much easier. I hope the Rim Guard will be enough weight to make significat improvement without the tiller. It will let me get up closer to the house so less need to use a shovel or walk behind snow blower to clean out right in front of the garrage.

I expect I will still need the weight of the tiller to deal with large snow storms if we get any this year. We live in the land of lake effect so they are either monsters or nothing.

 

[shaeff]

That's an extra 240ish lbs, right? It'll help, but I'm not sure what your tiller weighs so you might consider cast wheel weights too.

 

[TheMan419]

That's an extra 240ish lbs, right? It'll help, but I'm not sure what your tiller weighs so you might consider cast wheel weights too.

Should be right around 240 lbs yes. Tiller is 600. So I realize it will not do as good a job as that. I am not going to pay the $$ for wheel weights. I'll just continue to use the tiller if the loaded tires are not sufficient. Tires loaded to improve stability when doing loader operations with things that weigh more than snow

 

[TheMan419]

That's an extra 240ish lbs, right? It'll help, but I'm not sure what your tiller weighs so you might consider cast wheel weights too.

Should be right around 240 lbs yes. Tiller is 600. So I realize it will not do as good a job as that. I am not going to pay the $$ for wheel weights. I'll just continue to use the tiller if the loaded tires are not sufficient. Tires loaded to improve stability when doing loader operations with things that weigh more than snow

 

[the old grind]

If you're wise enough to use a loader bucket vs a front blade (gravel re-locator) add Edge Tamers (TM) to the lower lip, one in the middle and one a hand-width or two in from each corner. (I did and gravel stays on the d'way. ) The middle one is to preserve the lane's crown when I'm moving snow.

My counterweight is usually the last implement I connected to whichever tractor. Tiller is pretty good, and I use the box blade for similar weight and compactness. (vs BH or BH :laughing

I hand-shovel across the front of barn & garage doors and have room to use the box blade to pull snow out from there to be scooped with the FEL and piled where melt will drain away vs back on. :2cents:

 

[shaeff]

Should be right around 240 lbs yes. Tiller is 600. So I realize it will not do as good a job as that. I am not going to pay the $$ for wheel weights. I'll just continue to use the tiller if the loaded tires are not sufficient. Tires loaded to improve stability when doing loader operations with things that weigh more than snow

Oh I don’t blame you, but if you search around from time to time you can find weights for cheap. I found a set of 200lb cast weights made by Rowe for about $100. (That’s 200lb each)

I’ll just weld up an adapter to bolt them to my existing weights. Something to keep in mind is all.

The tiller also helps because it’s heavy and puts weight BEHIND the rear axle which increases it’s effectiveness. If you’re looking for cheaper weight that doesn’t take up a bunch of space like the tiller, maybe build a ballast box and fill with heavy scrap, sand, or concrete.

If you’re 4x4 you shouldn’t need that much extra weight, but the 2wd guys like me need all the help we can get! Haha!

 

[oosik]

I'm sure you will notice the increase in traction and better stability. I had Rim Guard installed in my new M6040 before it left the dealers lot. I certainly would not be without the added weight ( 1550# ) in the rear tires. All my snow plowing is with my rear blade and the weight helps a whole lot.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Or you can make a shallow (as in, more maneuvering room) 3ph ballast with cement and a design to carry the tools you want, which I wouldn't think is too expensive. Home depot sells quickcrete for $5.80 per 50 lb bag. Disclaimer, I haven't made a ballast, it's on my todo list, but not quite on the short list yet.

 

[chim]

Have you seen this thread?

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/394908-lets-see-some-homemade-3-a.html

 

[RoyJackson]

Ballast box is your best bet...pretty compact (compared to an implement) and can be quite heavy depending on what you fill it with.
I have a Deere brand box...had it for years and, IIRC, bought off Craigslist. It's full of sand...never weighed it, but I'd estimate it a good 600-700 lbs.

Filled tires help a bit...but more for stability then traction