Loading front tires on MFWD?

[nauxier16]

Have you guys tried loading the front tires on a MFWD like an M7040? When I worked for the state we had a case IH 885 with a FEL and the front tires had fluid in them and it handled really good at highway speeds. Anyone have any other experience with this good or bad? Thanks!

 

[DT86]

I remember reading (here on TBN) that Kubota says you aren't supposed to. With that being said, my M9540 came from the dealer with the front tires loaded. I can't say if it helps or not as the one at work came the same way, from the same dealer.

 

[TomSeller]

I remember reading (here on TBN) that Kubota says you aren't supposed to. With that being said, my M9540 came from the dealer with the front tires loaded. I can't say if it helps or not as the one at work came the same way, from the same dealer.

I am trying to think of a downside to loading the front tires vs front weights on the frame. You would need a wide tire to make much of a difference, but what would the problem be?

 

[talltale]

I put 800 hours on my M5040 with loaded fronts and rears. Trygg ice chains on all four wheels with an 8' Anbo blade on the front and a big Lorenz snowblower on the rear during the winter months. No issues with the tractor and the additional weight was a bonus. I just replaced the M5040 with an M7040 with loaded front and rears. My dealer says he's never had an issue with loaded front tires on Kubotas.

 

[aczlan]

Dad had an L3650 which had 4 loaded tires, it started life as a sidewalk machine and made it to ~1500 hours without any driveline issues.

Aaron Z

 

[nauxier16]

The only thing I think it would hurt is the steering components but I honestly don't think it will hurt anything, I may load them and see how it does.

 

[aczlan]

The only thing I think it would hurt is the steering components but I honestly don't think it will hurt anything, I may load them and see how it does.

Hmmm, 300# in the front tires vs 3000# from the loader and a bucket full of dirt. I dont think that it will be a problem.
The only places where it could be a problem would be:
1. Extra drivetrain wear/tear from the extra rotating mass. Impact: Negligible (if its even measurable).
2. Extra wear on the tires from a slightly higher weight on them all the time and less "flex" at max front axle load. Impact: Negligible.
3. Extra load "hanging down" when you lift the front end in the air with the loader. Impact: Negligible (if its even measurable).

Aaron Z

 

[nauxier16]

I agree Aaron, I think the reward out weighs the risk because like mention above, it is common to fill the tires and no one has any problems.

 

[nauxier16]

Which one would you guys suggest that I use, windshield washer fluid or antifreeze as a mix for loading my tires

 

[aczlan]

Windshield Washer Fluid or RV antifreeze. No worry about critters eating either of those if you have a leak.

Aaron Z

 

[PhilY]

The reason that there is a concern about loading front tires, is when the tractor has a FEL. If you are going to be carrying around a lot of weight up there and hit a bump, the tires won't have any give to them. Normally, with just air in the tires, they can flex a bit. If the fronts are loaded, then there may not be enough flex. This means that extras stresses will be transferred from the road through the tires and up into the axle and front axle mount. It could also mean a tire blow out if carrying a full load and hit a bad pot hole due to no flex. Side wall could split open or the bead pop off the rim. Not saying all of these will happen, but they could with a heavy FEL load. If there's no FEL attached and the tractor wasn't be roaded, I probably wouldn't worry about any negatives from loading the fronts.

 

[TomSeller]

Ok, so that makes sense. Non FEL okay, but not on FEL. Thanks.

 

[nauxier16]

I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow to find out if I can run 1 size bigger front tire (11.2x24) if so I will try them first but if not I will load the 9.5x24's