Water in tyres

[The Ruminant]

Another question about my Ford 4000. It’s got a front end loader on which I use regularly. With a decent sized bale it can get a bit light on the back end. Someone has suggested putting water / anti-freeze mix in the rear tyres for ballast.

Are there any downsides I need to think about? For example, will it increase the risk of putting too much loading on the front axle? What happens if I get a puncture? Anything else?

I don’t use the tractor for fieldwork as a rule, but do run on the road with it quite a bit.

 

[Dave W]

Get a weight block. Water in rear tyres puts excessive load on the front axle.

 

[Suffolk Serf]

A weight block is the best solution but a pain if you are hooking on trailers etc regularly, water ballast is what we went with at one time for that reason.

 

[Courier]

Get a weight block. Water in rear tyres puts excessive load on the front axle.

100 X Better than water ballast for a fore end loader because a counterbalance weight actually REDUCES the static load on the front axle - Water ballast is right for draught jobs...(Ploughing)

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Get a weight block. Water in rear tyres puts excessive load on the front axle.

how does water in the rear tyres affect the front axle?

 

[Courier]

how does water in the rear tyres affect the front axle?

Basic Physics - Moments and Turning forces.

 

[Boohoo]

You need to add weight behind the rear axle to reduce the weight on the front axle. Adding water to the rear wheels might keep the rear wheels on the ground but it won't do anything to reduce front axle loads.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Basic Physics - Moments and Turning forces.

if anything, it should put less stress on the front axle I think

 

[Dave W]

if anything, it should put less stress on the front axle I think

No. Because when you get to the balance point you have all the weight of the baler and rear axle being transmitted through the front axle

 

[Courier]

No. Because when you get to the balance point you have all the weight of the baler and rear axle being transmitted through the front axle

If you get to the point when even with a counterbalance weight the rear wheels are leaving the ground then all that weight will be going through the front axle - However if that happens then the counterbalance weight needs to be heavier....

 

[biggles]

My ih685 was to light on the back end when handling heavy round bales, 3/4 filled the back tyres (16.9x34) and it made a hell of a difference to how it handled, tractor is just used around a stone yard and used to spin if you went over the slightest lump. A assume a rear weight would also have the desired effect but was not suitable as I have a spike on the back all the time

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Weight block is the easiest option and no problems when you get a puncture
But can be inconvenient if you have to use the tractor for other jobs
I use two loader tractors 1 just has a weight as all it Does is loader work and the other is water ballasted and uses a weight if doing a lot of handling but can load and haul hay bales without ( both 2wd tractors)
Tyres are 13.6 36 and have 200 litres in each which is about 200kg

 

[betweenthelines]

Make up a weight block --concrete in an old wheelbarrow skip with a couple of hooks sticking out the top.

You can then pick up and drop of the weight easily using an 11 hole hitch bar or MF pick up hitch T Bar

(Should have said, first change the crappy Ford for a Fergie)

 

[Tomr10]

Wheel weights?

 

[Courier]

Wheel weights?

On a par with water in the tyres.....

 

[capfits]

On a par with water in the tyres.....

But with better comfort on road, and no leaks, or perishing, or corrosion.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Think of it this way, if you add counter weights intill with nothing on the loader the front wheels are hovering above the ground then the front axle only has to support the weigth you are going to lift. Now, if you manage to fit all the water in the ocean into the rear tyres it will not remove one ounce of loading off the front axle. The counter weight works because it is behind the rear axle utilising the rear axle as a pivot point.

With ballasted wheels then when the tractor does lift the rear wheels the front axle is then support and pivot for the whole tractor, the loader, the load and the water. Way above what it should hold. That’s why 2wd tractors would snap the stub axles clean off.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Any1 know what weight a killy block is as have 1 sitting and was thinking of using it for a weight. The zetor struggles to lift it with the loader. Was considering makin a frame for the mf 30e and setting it on it

 

[Stock]

A kelly block is usually 1m x 1m x 1m which is 2.2 ton.................................................................................

 

[daveydiesel1]

A kelly block is usually 1m x 1m x 1m which is 2.2 ton.................................................................................

Il measure it tonight at milking time