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Counterweights Keeping a tractor's wheels on the ground is very important. Once a wheel come off the ground the tractor may become unstable and roll over. Rear implements and front end loaders may be too heavy to use with out front of rear counterweight. For example, if a tractor has no front end implements and a 1,000 pound rotary cutter is on the three point hitch, when the cutter is raised the front end of the tractor may rise off the ground. Likewise, if a loader is in use rear counterweight may be needed to keep the rear tires on the ground. Since most tractors we sell have front end loaders we are primarily interested in rear ballast. Front end loaders are usually enough weight to counteract most implements. Rear weight can be gained in several ways; wheel weights, loaded tires, weight box, concrete block, or an implement. Keep in mind that a 30 hp tractor with a front loader can lift roughly 1,000 pounds. In order to keep the rear wheels firmly on the ground we need to add a similar amount of weight to the back. Wheel weights are flat, circular iron weights that are bolted to the wheel. Depending upon how much weight is needed the wheel weights may protrude beyond the width of the tires. The downside of wheel weights is that the do not always add enough weight with out making the tractor substantially wider. They are also costly, roughly $1.00 per pound. Loaded tires are the most popular way to add weight to the rear of a tractor. Historically, the tires are filled 75% with a calcium chloride and water. Then they are inflated with air to the proper pressure. Loaded tires do not add any size to the tractor and on a 30 hp tractor they will add 600 to 1,000 pounds of weight depending upon tire size. Loaded tires also keep the weight low and wide, which adds stability. The down side of loaded tires is that the calcium will corrode the wheels over time. We do not load tires with out installing tubes. The tube keeps the calcium away from the rim and helps prevent corrosion. We are concerned about your safety and load tires at our internal cost, roughly $150.00 to $350.00 per tractor. We are pleased to announce the next generation of loaded tires, Rim Guard. Rim Guard is a nontoxic, biodegradable, non-corrosive fluid that we use instead of calcium chloride. This product is roughly 11 pounds per gallon and will not corrode the rims. We have been using this product for almost 2 years and we have been pleased with the results. The cost is similar to calcium chloride when labor is factored in. We no longer have to break down tires and install tubes so our labor is greatly reduced. The only downside is that in the long run our parts department will not sell as many replacement rims. Weight boxes and concrete blocks are a convenient way to add weight that can be removed when it is not needed. A tractor that is used to mow the lawn may need weight for loader work, but that weight compacts the lawn when mowing. Removable counterweight is ideal for this application. Weight boxes and concrete blocks are also helpful on two wheel drive tractor loaders. Loaded tires may not add enough weight, so additional weight is installed on the three point hitch. The down side of these weights is they must be removed when using a three point hitch implement. An implement also adds rear counterweight, but it may be impractical. A five-foot rotary cutter weights 500 to 1,000 pounds, but it also lengthens the tractor by six feet making maneuvering that much harder. Backhoes make excellent counterweights, adding 1,000 pounds in many cases, but if the tractor will be used with out the backhoe there is no counterweight. Likewise a backhoe should never be used without a front end loader to offset the additional weight. |