Wheel weights/Ballast box vs Tire filled?

Turtro · Apr 29, 2008

When I purchase my tractor the dealer reccomends getting the rear tires filled...is there any advantage to having additional Wheel weights or a ballast box, if the tires are filled?

Charlesaf3 · Apr 29, 2008

yes. THough as usual depends on your usage.

For me, I'm on hills, plus I do a lot of landscaping (blades, etc that touch the ground) and loader work. So that means foam filled tires, front and rear PLUS wheel weights PLUS a heavy implement on the back when I'm doing loader work. I've put a rear wheel in the air despite that with a load of concrete in the bucket. NOT FUN.

No one has ever had too low a center of gravity on a tractor, or too stable a CUT.

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

We know nothing of size of tractor you are planning, use, kind of terrain you have, etc... might expand your personal profile to assist in answering your questions.

I'd start with fluid filled rear tires. If you have a FEL, then you WILL want some weight on the rear... boxblade, or manufactured weight. Try an implement on the rear if you have one... some people do prefer a ballast box because it keeps vehicle length down. Don't purchase wheel weights until you have tried all other methods of adding weight and have proven a need for wheel weights.

Ed_C · Apr 30, 2008

Wheel weights hurt like heck when they slip onto your feet. Don't have that problem with filled tires

Turtro · Apr 30, 2008

Ok all thanks for the info... I'll start with filled rear tires, and a ballast box.

big bubba · Apr 30, 2008

Mechanics have advised me NOT to have foam or fluid weight in front tires, could void warranty....apparently acts differently on differential that just extra weight on ft. bumper. why add weight to the front, resulting in less FELS capacity? bb

Charlesaf3 · Apr 30, 2008

you might rethink the ballast box, unless its really cheap. A box blade pretty much works the same, and has all sorts of other uses.

If I'm not tight, the bush hog also balances well. THough warning, everything becomes tighter with a bush hog on the back!

Tom_H · Apr 30, 2008

A rack of suitcase weights is an option to wheel weights. With some implements like a PHD or subsoiler being used in hardpan, the weight needs to be placed on top of the implement. A 3ph hydro-downpressure unit can be helpful. You can also find old barbell sets, weld a short piece of the bar vertically atop the implement, stack weights and lock with the collar. Some PHD units are hydraulic and can be mounted at the FEL bucket or BH bucket location and use downpressure from the FEL or BH arm.

N80 · Apr 30, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
you might rethink the ballast box, unless its really cheap. A box blade pretty much works the same, and has all sorts of other uses.

I totally agree. A box blade might not cost that much more, it does not stick out very far behind the tractor and is mush more useful than a box full of dead weight.

I also agree that if you have a loader you need ballast. I can get by with just the tires filled and nothing on the back, but with a full bucket it is still bouncy. When the boxblade is back there it balances very well even with a full bucket. So I suggest weights on the rears and something on the 3pt hitch.

I think rear wheel weights are a great thing, but they are too expensive for my blood. And as mentioned, you can drop them on your toe too.

But filled tires are not risk free either. I was told that my rears were not filled. When I popped the valve off one day I got quite a bath! Geyser is the word that comes to mind.