Using Filled tires with a BH92 Backhoe

[rScotty]

They make sure to specify any ballast in the bullet point right above it, but then they forgot to put that in the second one even though you're saying it's the weight they're worried about? Come on man get serious.

If it were strictly a weight problem, they'd have mentioned it. It's a liquid sloshing concern. As in: the tractor gets a bit wiggly because you're operating across a grade, the ballast sloshes to one side and suddenly it's not just wiggly, it's going over.

As far as the rear end thing, when people start posting threads about their rear casting cracking because they jacked their tractor up, then I'll eat crow. Totally ridiculous.

Sloshing? Where did that come from?

 

[ning]

For more TBN fun, see Backhoes and loaded tires

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I have similar and my 2 cents worth would be about the stabilizer cylinders lifting and holding up the extra rear end weight off the ground while making work.

Front end extra weight managed by loader design so much stronger than the piddle ones used in rear stabilizers. I have seen and suffered rear stabile damage on Kubota sub frame backhoe and always felt design was a little to lightweight.

 

[JWR]

They make sure to specify any ballast in the bullet point right above it, but then they forgot to put that in the second one even though you're saying it's the weight they're worried about? Come on man get serious.

If it were strictly a weight problem, they'd have mentioned it. It's a liquid sloshing concern. As in: the tractor gets a bit wiggly because you're operating across a grade, the ballast sloshes to one side and suddenly it's not just wiggly, it's going over.

As far as the rear end thing, when people start posting threads about their rear casting cracking because they jacked their tractor up, then I'll eat crow. Totally ridiculous.

Agree. At most this advice against fluid in rear tires on that machine is ass covering ... in case somebody gets to rocking the thing around to the point where the sloshing becomes a significant variable -- which is far fetched to begin with. Only an excessive staff of lawyers would be concerned.

 

[masscity]

The dealer sold me my 2012 L3540HSTC-3 with a BH92 and loaded tires, nothing was mentioned. I did see it in the

manual later. No problems in 12 years.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Realistically, how much more stress do the stabilizers, or anything else, see from filled tires when compared to the backhoe's break-out force?

Also, it's not uncommon that I have a rear wheel above the ditch I'm working on, so having the tires on the ground isn't always an option.

 

[rScotty]

The dealer sold me my 2012 L3540HSTC-3 with a BH92 and loaded tires, nothing was mentioned. I did see it in the

manual later. No problems in 12 years.

Maybe it comes down to how the equipment is treated. One construction guy I know always has new equipment breaking down, while another is still using equipment he bought - used - decades ago.
I try to hire the second one. He's slower, but the work is better.
rScotty

 

[masscity]

Maybe it comes down to how the equipment is treated. One construction guy I know always has new equipment breaking down, while another is still using equipment he bought - used - decades ago.
I try to hire the second one. He's slower, but the work is better.
rScotty

I agree, my older brother(passed) had a neighbor across the street in a small town. My brother and his neighbor both had

John Deere 2405. My brother had no problem with his snow blower, but the neighbor would buy sheer bolts by the pound.

Then the neighbor went up in size to a 35 hp tractor, same thing. Then the neighbor when up to a 47 hp tractor and still

bought sheer bolts by the pound. This is a small town, not farm property, so not much to blow. We both got some laughs

out of this.

 

[ning]

I agree, my older brother(passed) had a neighbor across the street in a small town. My brother and his neighbor both had

John Deere 2405. My brother had no problem with his snow blower, but the neighbor would buy sheer bolts by the pound.

Then the neighbor went up in size to a 35 hp tractor, same thing. Then the neighbor when up to a 47 hp tractor and still

bought sheer bolts by the pound. This is a small town, not farm property, so not much to blow. We both got some laughs

out of this.

hey I had a gravel pile to move ok

 

[bdhsfz6]

Same as a few others. My dealer sold me a new MX5800 with BH92 hoe and loaded tires. The stabilizers have no trouble lifting the machine to full height. Haven't busted anything in 8 years of use.

I asked the dealer about that statement in the manual and he had no idea why Kubota put it there.

If I didn't have loaded tires, I'd need wheel weights, which would amount to the same thing. Too risky to operate an un weighted tractor here with all the sloped ground.

 

[whatever1]

how about a BX-24 backhoe and filled tires.... they are on the small side...

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

how about a BX-24 backhoe and filled tires.... they are on the small side...

no trouble with either.
both are approved for rear ballast just not at the same time.
both are ok individually. Together exceeds what Kubota approves as per the operator manual.

 

[rScotty]

how about a BX-24 backhoe and filled tires.... they are on the small side...

I'd say it depends on how a person operates the tractor and hoe.

There's no doubt a filled or weighted tire held out on the end of an axle has the potential to put a lot of bending stress on that axle - especially when the stabilizers are holding the tires up off the ground. Then add momentum to the bending stress as a heavy-handed backhoe operator bounces the machine around, and it isn't hard to see why Kubota recommends against weighting backhoe tires.

A buddy of mine does odd jobs, renting backhoes and mini excavators as needed from the rental yard. Watching him at work with a hoe you'd think he is riding a pogo stick.
Maybe someday someone will make a video of him working a hoe; for now we just grab a beer and watch the entertainment. It usually doesn't take long....
rScotty

 

[bdhsfz6]

I asked AI about the issue and this is the reply:

AI Overview


It is not advisable to have filled tires on a tractor with a backhoe attached because
the extra weight from the backhoe combined with the fluid ballast makes the machine excessively heavy, leading to increased soil compaction and ruts. This can also negatively impact maneuverability and cause a rougher ride, especially on roads, while making tire maintenance more difficult.

Key reasons to avoid filling tires with a backhoe attached:

• Excessive weight: The backhoe already adds significant weight. Adding liquid ballast to the tires creates an overly heavy tractor that is prone to ruts and soil compaction.
• Maneuverability issues: The combined weight can make the tractor hard to steer and can reduce its agility, which is a crucial factor when operating a backhoe.
• Rougher ride: Filled tires lose the air cushion that normally absorbs bumps, resulting in a harsher ride over uneven terrain, especially when traveling on roads.
• Difficult maintenance: A fluid-filled tire is much heavier, making it more difficult to remove for a puncture or other tire issues. The fluid itself can also create a messy spill if the tire is punctured.
• Potential for overworking the tractor: The added weight can cause the tractor to be overworked, which can lead to accelerated wear and tear on its components.

I can't say I agree with all points. My MX5800 with hoe and filled tires handles fine on the road. The ruts it leaves are no worse than those made by my L6060 with loaded tires. Of course this will depend on soil conditions so YMMV.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I also don't agree with that fake intelligence rambling ... My Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB TLB came with no such "advise"!

 

[Chanceywd]

I bought my L2501 new from the dealer with BH77 and he loaded the tires.
I've read the notice after seeing it here and OTT, but can't for the life of me understand or bothered to have that discussion with the dealer. My BH77 isn't on all the time and I want the traction of filled tires both ways.
I wonder if it is just a pad up the sale to load all rear tires as I think it cost me about $500 more.
Or it could be that a lot of sales people aren't really that well versed with the equipment they sell.

Bill

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I also don't agree with that fake intelligence rambling ... My Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB TLB came with no such "advise"!

And I liquid filled my rears ... And added 3" spacers ... Then I added ... factory steel wheel weights ... !

I think the weight of my axle, spacers, wheels/tires, liquid fill, and wheel weights are much less weight than what the weight the axles bear when the tires are on the ground, and the full weight of the tractor and operator are bouncing over uneven ground ...

Here are a few possibilities ...

1. Maybe Massey Ferguson builds a stronger tractor ...

2. Maybe I just haven't jerked it around hard enough in the 735 hours I've had it since new?

3. Maybe I just need to put more hours on it?

4. Maybe it's a very rare occurrence due to a bad/faulty axle breaking, and the other hundreds of thousands of S/CUT Kubota TLB'S haven't broken an axle even with liquid filled tires? (Never heard of a stabilizer breaking/bending)

5. Maybe they are just covering there backside worried the extra weight will be too much if the operator is already over 500 Lbs ...

6. Maybe it a mistake in the manual (I've found things that were wrong in manuals!)