This ougt to light you up - one way or another...

[seasalt]

My JD dealer told me (sorry, HE INSISTED) that filling my rears would be more effective ballast, GIVE ME MORE FLOTATION, and traction than a rear implement, ballast box, etc. More floatation?...Ok...?

This is what really got me, (please take away my common sense license if I am missing something here)...I told him the rear implement or BBox is the only way to take weight off the fronts and improve steering, and overall balance with an FEL, particularly when loaded. He said filling the rears would DO THE SAME only BETTER.

Is it really feasible in anyone's mind that weighting the rear axle via tire fill would in any way result in even one foot-pound of a moment arm (force at some distance from the fulcrum, a lever arm - call it what you will) that serves to reduce weight on the front axle?

He said he had seen it with his own eyes on a scale showing individual weight on each tire using each ballast theory.

 

[JerryG]

Either there was a communication problem with terminology or your dealer has no idea what he was talking about. I have spoken with people that if they were questioned about anything, they would come up with all kinds of stories. The deeper they got the more unbelievable that it would become. Those people usually think "who are you to question me?". He may or may not be this way.

 

[seasalt]

Jerry,

I was ready to play that role. Had I been remotely familiar with scale testing or field testing various implements under various conditions with varying amounts of ballast in different configurations I would have hammered him. But I just looked at him and said that doesnt make sense to me...but...how?

He just kept on going about how physics didnt matter and only field experience counted. I couldnt argue, and I certainly didnt want to upset him needlessly.

Think youre right about him.

 

[beenthere]

As long as he is a good dealer, what difference does it make?

He probably doesn't have a ME degree and may not need one. On the other hand, he may not be making enough $$ to afford what he is selling......

 

[bigpete]

You have the physics correct. As you said, the lever arm principle actually creates "lift" on the front axle regardless of whether there is a front load or not. Both methods help prevent a rear lift, but only the levered ballast behind the rear axle reduces front axle load.

Nod your head and smile at your dealer, then use the ballast method that is best for you.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Obviously, a communications gap or air gap between the ears. But, there are advantages to filled tires. The weight is not in the way in tight spots. Its always there. It is more stable on slopes depending on fill height.

Disadvantages, Its always there. Hard to deal with if you get a puncture.

I would never spend money on a rear ballast box myself. Pour your extra money into a good heavy duty 72" box blade with 1/2" thick side plates. This will work plenty good for counter-ballast.

 

[RalphVa]

Weight inside the tires or on the 3 pt will help to keep the rear wheels from lifting when there's a weight in the FEL. Only an implement would help to offweight the actual weight on the front wheels imposed by a weight in the FEL. It's pure physics or engineering.

Ralph

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Only an implement would help to offweight the actual weight on the front wheels imposed by a weight in the FEL. It's pure physics or engineering. )</font>

True, but there are people on TBN who do not believe it. They think just like the salesman in question. I've given up arguing with them.

Cliff

 

[Boomerang1]

When you put an implement on the rear, it effectively adds 1.5 times the weight of the implement. I had to fill the rear tires because with my 450 lb. BB only ( 675 lbs. effective weight ), the rear tires would lift off the ground when using the loader. Since my tractor is only used for loader work with the bucket, pallet forks and boom pole and also BB work. I decided on filled tires because the factory did not recomend 500+ lbs. of wheel weights.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Yes, rear hanging weight will tend to unload the front tires, but ballast in the tire will be there to help with traction when the rear implement is in or on the ground. Do both...