Tires To load or not to load tires

[motownbrowne]

Sooo...... I have a couple ??. Does foam add much weight or is it mainly to prevent flats. I've heard that foam filled tires are a PITA when it comes time to install new tires - true?

Foam is heavy. Definitely used to add weight.

I've heard that it needs to be cut off the rim, but I have no firsthand experience

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I would be interested to see someone hook a tractor to a sled with diff ballast and see which one pulls harder.

I read that weight on the axle gives a larger foot print by squatting the tire more vs a liquid ballast that more equally dissipates the weight and with air pressure doesn't squat as much so the tire digs more and has less traction.

Also I read that the industry standard of 75% full isn't as efficient as a 40% filled tire.

Using liquid ballast in tires

Also I have a titan R4 tire, I don't think it's a radial but I read that radials should not have liquid ballast in them.

 

[buickanddeere]

750lbs of external cast iron weight bolted onto the wheel will pull more than 750lbs of liquid ballast in the tire. All other factors identical.