A question on weight

[Magnificent Earwig]

We are running 180hp tractors, around 7500kgs in weight, one of their duties is pulling a mounted mole plough, occasionally they’ll struggle with traction so my question is this, would I be better off putting more weight on the front linkage (currently has a 1000kg block on it) or would adding rear wheel weights be better? I will also ask the mole plough supplier for his opinion.
Many thanks.

 

[clbarclay]

Both, but front is probably a lot easier and cheaper.

My solution was to get a bigger tractor. Not the cheapest option though.

 

[Magnificent Earwig]

Both, but front is probably a lot easier and cheaper.

My solution was to get a bigger tractor. Not the cheapest option though.

A bigger tractor isn’t really an option at the moment, but would definitely be the answer long term. Definitely putting more weight on the front would be easier.

 

[clbarclay]

I haven't done much moling yet with the 215hp tractor, but felt the the 155hp with 900kg hung on the front would have benefitted more from extra ballast on the back axle than on the front.

 

[Magnificent Earwig]

I haven't done much moling yet with the 215hp tractor, but felt the the 155hp with 900kg hung on the front would have benefitted more from extra ballast on the back axle than on the front.

Always wondered if some ballast was added to the front of the mole plough would help

 

[Sandy]

We are running 180hp tractors, around 7500kgs in weight, one of their duties is pulling a mounted mole plough, occasionally they’ll struggle with traction so my question is this, would I be better off putting more weight on the front linkage (currently has a 1000kg block on it) or would adding rear wheel weights be better? I will also ask the mole plough supplier for his opinion.
Many thanks.

Wheel weights on the rear

 

[mtx135]

We pull a trailed beam mole plough with 200hp tractor similar weight, front weights and 1000kg rear weight block. I’d say adding rear weight would help allot.

 

[CPF]

Put some water in the tyres nice and cheap.

 

[davidroberts30]

Adding too much front will take weight off the rear

 

[ih1455xl]

Try dropping tyre pressures got ctis on my 7490 so can adjust pressures whilst going amazing the difference it makes

 

[ollie989898]

It's a shame rear wheel weights are so expensive.

 

[tr250]

We are running 180hp tractors, around 7500kgs in weight, one of their duties is pulling a mounted mole plough, occasionally they’ll struggle with traction so my question is this, would I be better off putting more weight on the front linkage (currently has a 1000kg block on it) or would adding rear wheel weights be better? I will also ask the mole plough supplier for his opinion.
Many thanks.

What sort of mole drainer have you got. Some are better than others for transferring weight onto the tractor is there any lower holes on the frame you want the arms to be as low to the ground as possible so that as you are pulling forward the moler will pull the tractor to the ground and use the front weight to keep the front axle down

 

[davidroberts30]

If its a simple mole plough and not overly heavy probably get more success taking front weight off and dropping tyre pressures

 

[CPF]

A good simple rule of thumb to go by
for the weight of a tractor is 49 kg per horsepower
Then you will now if you got a light weight or heavyweight tractor.
So your tractor is a light weight.

 

[aussie massey]

Maybe try set your hydraulics to run with a little bit of draft control to pull the rear end down , l do this when l use my subsoiler it makes a big difference to traction while still maintaining your depth required.

 

[nick...]

Is there an option of hiring a bigger tractor to do the job
nick…

 

[Courier]

Maybe try set your hydraulics to run with a little bit of draft control to pull the rear end down , l do this when l use my subsoiler it makes a big difference to traction while still maintaining your depth required.

Certainly could increase traction by doing this but the objective of mole ploughing is to create a smooth continuous unsupported “drain”, any interference by tractor hydraulics creates the opportunity to destroy that .

 

[Chae1]

A good simple rule of thumb to go by
for the weight of a tractor is 49 kg per horsepower
Then you will now if you got a light weight or heavyweight tractor.
So your tractor is a light weight.

So a 724 should be 12t!?

Definitely lightweight at 8.

 

[CPF]

So a 724 should be 12t!?

Definitely lightweight at 8.

Fendt is normally around the 34 kg, but look how much weight they add to their big tractors. It’s so you can make your tractor light for light work and then you boost the weight up for grip.
Just like at how much weight is been thrown on the front linkage these days.

 

[Foxcover]

Maybe try set your hydraulics to run with a little bit of draft control to pull the rear end down , l do this when l use my subsoiler it makes a big difference to traction while still maintaining your depth required.

Draft control should be switched off when mole ploughing.