New tractor filled tires?

[Threepoint]

The cab on a Kubota L5460 will add about 800 pounds, with most of the weight over the rear tires.
That is enough. I would inflate rear tires with air, the simplest option.

Maintaining traction is usually only an issue with ground engagement work. The only moderately demanding ground engagement work you foresee is pulling a Box Blade. The 800 pound cab will put sufficient weight on the rear tires to maintain traction driven by 56-horsepower gross.

The rear R4 tires on the Grand Ls are, unusually, on two part wheels. L5460 rear wheels/tires can be spread to any of three width increments: 53.5", 59.4" or 59.1" tread width. Tread width is from CENTER of one rear tire to CENTER of other rear tire. Tread width is published because tire suppliers change tire configurations but tread width is always tread width.

Spreading the rear wheel/tire stance increases tractor stability more than any other individual option. Consider rear wheel spread first.

Determine max outside to outside tire spread from dealer, based on current Kubota tire offering. (Or inquire here via dedicated new thread.) Buy a 10' stick of 1-1/4" PVC pipe. Cut pipe at max tire width. Mark narrower widths on pipe. Walk around your land, comparing pipe to tree spreads, gates, etc. I did this exercise. It determined I needed a 60" wide tractor. A tractor 66" wide would have been too constraining.

I have air in the tires of my open station Kubota 'Grand L' L3560. I can pull a full Rollover Box Blade uphill in HST/LOW.

With due respect, Jeff, I could not disagree more strongly with this advice. Yes, almost all of it. Much of buck12's work will be with his FEL bucket and grapple, which can make him quite tippy, even as an experienced operator and with a balanced load. His property is hilly, to boot. The cab of the tractor adds weight, certainly, but it raises the center of mass, rather than lowers it as filling the tires will. Lowering the COM increases the moment of inertia, so more resistance to tipping, given the same stance of the tractor.

I agree that mounting the rear tires in their widest stance is great, if buck12's R4 rims can be set wider, as the R1 rims can. But first double check the resulting overall width, sidewall to sidewall, to know what it will mean hauling wise. I don't know with that model, but he should know in advance if doing this will then require a rollback or a deck-over trailer to transport. If may also make a difference in the width of rear implements needed to cover the tracks. E.g., with an angled rear blade. Not a big deal, but good to consider in advance.

As for the type of fill, beet juice is up to 30 percent heavier than an antifreeze mix the dealer proposes (make sure it's non-toxic propylene glycol, not ethylene glycol!), so gives more ballast. But either is much better than air, and neither one is corrosive to the rims. Calcium Chloride (CC) is a totally different matter, but buck12's dealer hasn't suggested it. The beet juice is costlier for the dealer, assuming buck12's dealer is willing to source and use it (not everyone is, based on my personal experience).

 

[jeff9366]

The diversity of views presented on T-B-N is its strength.

The OP has not forecast a need to trailer his tractor. However OP should consider potential trailer use when deciding on wheel spread.

I remain with my recommendation of tires inflated with air on the proposed Cab equipped, moderate horsepower tractor.

The OP will evaluate all advice, perhaps discussing with the dealer, then decide.

 

[LouNY]

Cast iron weight and air in the tires, ride and traction are better with air and the repair cost and time is considerable better.
I have had liquid and much rather have iron, it does cost more.
To me it's worth it. :2cents:

 

[FTG-05]

I did see his state and I STILL recommend BEET juice.

So you recommend he drives *his tractor several hundred miles one way* to a dealer that installs BJ? I live in SC TN. The closest rimguard dealer is south KY, about 150 miles - one way.

In short: Get Real; this isn't the north.

ETA: I think RG is the shiznit. If I could get it here, there would be no contest. But you guys in the north where it's available on every tractor corner need to get real: Rimguard doesn't operate nor sell down here. Now, if they would only grow up and start selling 55 gallon barrels to any Tom, Dick and Harry (read Amazon/Ebay/whatever) boom, I'd be all over that stuff. but as it is, it's not worth a +150 miles trip one way.

 

[Scrambler82]

I'm using Beet Juice, came free with the tractor.

Been four plus years, not sure if I should have them check.

I can't say for sure if the Beet Juice helps but I haven't gotten stuck and in low range it does pull well enough, without spinning the tire.

So I guess it works AND so far so good on any leakage.

 

[buck12]

Thanks for all the advice. I do not see the need to transport this tractor as I plan to keep my faithful Mahindra which I do transport several times a year to my house for projects. I have never had filled tires and my biggest concern is rusting of the rim with a water and antifreeze mix. If I decide to fill I will make sure they use the “safer” antifreeze. I do get flats from time to time but I usually am able to plug them myself. I think in the 11 years I have had the Mahindra I only paid to have to flats repaired.

 

[BRMyers]

So you recommend he drives *his tractor several hundred miles one way* to a dealer that installs BJ? I live in SC TN. The closest rimguard dealer is south KY, about 150 miles - one way.

In short: Get Real; this isn't the north.

ETA: I think RG is the shiznit. If I could get it here, there would be no contest. But you guys in the north where it's available on every tractor corner need to get real: Rimguard doesn't operate nor sell down here. Now, if they would only grow up and start selling 55 gallon barrels to any Tom, Dick and Harry (read Amazon/Ebay/whatever) boom, I'd be all over that stuff. but as it is, it's not worth a +150 miles trip one way.

I didn't realize Rimguard/beet juice was not sold in the southern states. I just made the assumption since it was available at any local grocery store, why wouldn't beet juice be available everywhere in the US? Learned something new.

 

[Shaneard]

Thanks for all the advice. I do not see the need to transport this tractor as I plan to keep my faithful Mahindra which I do transport several times a year to my house for projects. I have never had filled tires and my biggest concern is rusting of the rim with a water and antifreeze mix. If I decide to fill I will make sure they use the “safer” antifreeze. I do get flats from time to time but I usually am able to plug them myself. I think in the 11 years I have had the Mahindra I only paid to have to flats repaired.

When I had new tires put on our 1993 Ford 4630 last year it had the original tires on it that were loaded with water and probably antifreeze and the wheels looked brand new on the inside. There is only a couple small spots on the outside that are rusted and I don’t think that has anything to do with the fluid inside that had been in for 25~years.

 

[RickB]

Q

I didn't realize Rimguard/beet juice was not sold in the southern states. I just made the assumption since it was available at any local grocery store, why wouldn't beet juice be available everywhere in the US? Learned something new.

You not only are unaware of where beet juice is sold, you are unaware of what it actually is in this context.

 

[BRMyers]

Q

You not only are unaware of where beet juice is sold, you are unaware of what it actually is in this context.

Enlighten me oh great one.

My experience with beet juice (Rim Guard Beet Juice to be exact) it is available from every dealer in the area around here, so why would my assumption be that it isn't available at every dealer across the county? The dealers in these parts have multiple options to fill the tires (Rim Guard, Calcium Chloride, RV anti-freeze), so why is it limited down south?

My attempt at humor referencing the beet juice in the grocery store must have eluded you.

Share your great knowledge with me.

 

[tradosaurus]

I would get R1 tires. I think you will regret it once you start driving on your hills.
I still can't believe that most new tractors come standard with R4's.

 

[oosik]

I still can't believe that most new tractors come standard with R4's.[/QUOTE]

It would tend to make one think that most new tractors aren't really intended for agricultural purposes.

 

[LouNY]

I still can't believe that most new tractors come standard with R4's.

It would tend to make one think that most new tractors aren't really intended for agricultural purposes.[/QUOTE]

Bingo!!!!!

Not till you get over 60hp.
That said many of the small ones at the more rural dealers around here do have R-1's on many of the small ones in inventory.
Every dealership is different.

 

[Avenger]

I was in the same kind of boat as the OP when I was looking to purchase a tractor. I knew I wanted the tires filled for the multitude of reasons already discussed. My research also pointed to Rim Guard or beet juice. I went to Rim Guards website and filled out their form. Unfortunately they didn't have any dealers listed in my area. Disappointed, this did not stop me from making my purchasing decision on the tractor.

I knew that people around here had liquid ballast in their tires. We had CC in the tires on the farm, so...

When I ordered my tractor I decided to ask the dealer if other customers get their tires filled. He said yes, the local tire shop is a dealer for RIM GUARD!! OMG! :shocked:

There is a button on Rim Guards website, "Become a Dealer." It might be a good idea to ask your dealer or local tire shop to fill out that form. Or find another company dealing in beet juice for tire ballast and become a dealer. If enough people in an area want it, it will become more economical for companies like Rim Guard to have a dealer in your area.

The lesson I have learned with this, and it as been true for many other things, is that you don't always know where/who the actual dealers are for a certain company or product. Just because their website lists (or doesn't list) someone in your area, does not mean that is accurate.

I used a different dealer to try and locate a piece of machinery a few months back. The website for the stump grinder listed Adams Tractor as a dealer. I went to Adams Tractor and asked about the price on this stump grinder. They never heard of this company. The guy behind the counter told me that maybe, someone, years ago ordered something small from them though Adams Tractor and now they are a listed 'dealer.'

With Rim Guard, I maybe way off base here. I do not know why they wouldn't ship to the south and only northern states. There maybe a real good reason, like heat. Though it gets hot here too in the north (98°F today), so I don't know. It most likely has something to do with shipping costs. But if they can ship to Spokane WA from Grand Rapids, MI (1846 miles), then I am sure they can ship to Mississippi (879 miles). I am guessing that the demand is simply not there for a ballast that wont freeze solid?

 

[ruffdog]

I'm not a fan of loaded tires for small farm use. If I was doing heavy loader work, I would mount up the tiller on the 3pt for ballast weight. When I mowed, I would remove the FEL and ballast so the tractor was lighter for tender areas. It all depends on what we use the tractor for most of the time. If our uses vary quite a bit and our weather can vary (this year was very wet), I want to be able to vary the weight too. If you commit to high traction with loaded R1 tires, you may cause ruts unless conditions change.

 

[coobie]

So you recommend he drives *his tractor several hundred miles one way* to a dealer that installs BJ? I live in SC TN. The closest rimguard dealer is south KY, about 150 miles - one way.

In short: Get Real; this isn't the north.

ETA: I think RG is the shiznit. If I could get it here, there would be no contest. But you guys in the north where it's available on every tractor corner need to get real: Rimguard doesn't operate nor sell down here. Now, if they would only grow up and start selling 55 gallon barrels to any Tom, Dick and Harry (read Amazon/Ebay/whatever) boom, I'd be all over that stuff. but as it is, it's not worth a +150 miles trip one way.

Did I say he had to get beet juice?Get real..How do you know the OP,s rim guard dealer is 150 miles away just because your dealer is? You sure have more time to google rim guard dealers in the OP,s area than I do ??Not me better stuff to do..Laffin..

 

[RickB]

Enlighten me oh great one.

My experience with beet juice (Rim Guard Beet Juice to be exact) it is available from every dealer in the area around here, so why would my assumption be that it isn't available at every dealer across the county? The dealers in these parts have multiple options to fill the tires (Rim Guard, Calcium Chloride, RV anti-freeze), so why is it limited down south?

My attempt at humor referencing the beet juice in the grocery store must have eluded you.

Share your great knowledge with me.

Next time you attempt humor, post something that is actually funny.

 

[BRMyers]

Next time you attempt humor, post something that is actually funny.

________

 

[buck12]

There are times I really want R1 tires but I like the flotation with R4 in wet areas and they seem to stand up against thorns fairly well.

 

[Mainahs70]

Kioti NX cab with R4 and Rimguard. Good traction and toughness for woods. Still need chains for ice and mud.