Wheel weights

[Little Joe]

Where is the best place to find rear wheel weights at a reasonable price? Anyone know of better options other than fluid in tires? I’ve always put fluid in my rear tires but with the cost of antifreeze what it is, it’s gonna cost me $600/$700 just for antifreeze to put fluid in the rear of this Kubota I just bought. A google search shows each rear tire will hold 55 gallons, so I’d have to use 55 gallons of antifreeze between the 2. I figure at least with weight gets they are removable if need be and won’t lose them in case of a flat.

 

[RDFF]

Auctions.

 

[jltrent]

https://northstatesales.com/tractor-weights/

I have some aftermarket front weights that came from here way less than OEM cost. They also sell rear weights.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Auctions, FB marketplace, dealers back lots. If you can "make them work" by drilling some holes or making adaptors it opens up your options a lot.

 

[Mrcopier]

So you’re thinking of putting in 100% antifreeze? Is that normal? I always have the place that I buy my tractors put it in. Never knew it was 100%. Thought just enough to keep it good to about -20 or so

 

[Silver]

Straight antifreeze freezes around 0F. You need to add water to lower the freezing point.
Nobody up here uses antifreeze, but rather calcium, mostly because it’s heavier.
I prefer weights though, and as @RDFF said, auctions can be a good place to find them.

 

[jltrent]

Beet juice is used as a non-corrosive, eco-friendly liquid ballast for tractor tires to add weight for better traction and stability, weighing about 11 pounds per gallon, making it denser and safer than alternatives like calcium chloride or plain water, though it requires specialized equipment to install and can be more expensive. It's a popular choice for farmers needing extra weight for plowing or heavy work without damaging rims or harming the environment.

My rear tractor tires are 75% full of liquid and rims have ballast or solid weighed OEM factory rims.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Problem with any sort of liquid ballast is you don't own it your merely renting it. First puncture and your buying it again.

It also makes tire repairs much more challenging.

Iron weights cost more but you pay once and own them forever.

 

[Silver]

Problem with any sort of liquid ballast is you don't own it your merely renting it. First puncture and your buying it again.

It also makes tire repairs much more challenging.

Iron weights cost more but you pay once and own them forever.

I just converted my T7 New holland to iron weights. That puts me halfway there.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I just converted my T7 New holland to iron weights. That puts me halfway there.

I dont do much/any tillage so I don't have much iron weight on any thing anymore. Pulling the discbine or baler doesn't require too much extra weight.

 

[Rmc]

Beet juice is used as a non-corrosive, eco-friendly liquid ballast for tractor tires to add weight for better traction and stability, weighing about 11 pounds per gallon, making it denser and safer than alternatives like calcium chloride or plain water,

Not quite accurate calcium chloride can be mixed to be heavier then beet juice
13 -14 lbs per gallon was our most common mixture we used. And at that strength is good to -50 to -60 below.

 

[jltrent]

Adding liquid ballast to your tractor tires can increase/improve traction, lower the tractor’s center of gravity, and counterbalance heavy implements. This tire ballast chart compares different tractor tire ballast fluids and options. Speak to a representative to learn more about how we can help with your tire ballast fluids needs!

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Tire Ballast Chart: Compare Tractor Tire Ballast Fluids​

Product	Biodegradable	Corrosive	Freeze Point	Economical	Characteristics
Water	Yes	Yes	32 °F	Yes	• Not as heavy as other options – 8.35#/gallon • Freeze-related expansion can lead to tire separation. • Safe for the environment and the user, but detrimental to the life of the equipment. • Lowest initial cost, but long-term cost prohibitive.
Calcium Chloride	Yes	Yes	-50 to -60 °F	No	• 13#/gallon (weight varies based on concentration of solution) • Resists freezing down to -50 or -60 °F. • Can cause significant damage to wheel rims. • Not the safest choice for the user and environment, as it damages the soil and can cause an alkalinity burn.
Methanol Mix *our choice*	Yes	Modestly	-20 °F	Yes	• ~7.8#/gallon • Although a solvent, Methanol does not create long-term soil contamination because it evaporates quickly and readily biodegrades. • Most economical when compared to water with less equipment degradation. • Methanol solutions are less flammable when created with water.
Antifreeze	Yes	No	-35 °F	No	• Recycled material is often used as opposed to new product which may contain contaminants. • One of the more expensive options • Not environmentally friendly or safe • Repurposed product is even less environmentally friendly and can be considerably more harmful than new product. Both types can lead to long-term soil contamination, are considered toxic, and are listed as marine pollutants.
Beet Juice Solution	Yes	No	-35 °F	No	• Approximately 11#/gallon • Made from sugar beets which can draw harmful and undesired pests and animals. • An increasingly popular option but is primarily produced in northern states. This can create costly logistical challenges for users in southern states. • Most expensive solution. • The organic material can increase the biochemical oxygen demand of water as it decomposes. This could lead to algae blooms and worsened water quality once the weather warms up. Some research has been noted to decimate aquatic bodies stating “it is a source for organisms, microbial communities that can suck the oxygen out of the water.” • While it is not considered to be corrosive, it does stain surfaces and could compromise painted surfaces. • Some additives may cause slippery conditions if there are leaks or spills onto surfaces and/or roadways.
Foam Filled	No	N/A	N/A	No	• Lightweight, which is counter-productive for most uses. • Rarely done or used. • Most expensive option. • Permanent. • Polyurethane foam is not environmentally friendly.

 

[Silver]

I dont do much/any tillage so I don't have much iron weight on any thing anymore. Pulling the discbine or baler doesn't require too much extra weight.

I sometimes till, mostly zero till now. I do pull 7 bottoms when I do decide to till. But I do like weights for loader work on uneven ground handling bales or loading my old box truck when the need arises. You can’t do all your loader work with the load on the ground.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I sometimes till, mostly zero till now. I do pull 7 bottoms when I do decide to till. But I do like weights for loader work on uneven ground handling bales or loading my old bow truck when the need arises. You can’t do all your loader work with the load on the ground.

Cast wheel centers and a cast weight or two are more than enough to handle all this fella should handle with a tractor loader. Ha

 

[Silver]

Cast wheel centers and a cast weight or two are more than enough to handle all this fella should handle with a tractor loader. Ha

Ya I don’t get to carried away with it

Edit to add: But there are a lot of people (including on this forum) that have very small little tractors that they ask a lot of when it comes to lifting and pulling and they should probably have enough weight if they don’t want a bigger tractor. People get killed when tractors turn over.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Don’t forget salvage yards.

 

[tater74]

https://www.lonestarweights.com/

 

[Stonewall Joe]

Where is the best place to find rear wheel weights at a reasonable price? Anyone know of better options other than fluid in tires? I’ve always put fluid in my rear tires but with the cost of antifreeze what it is, it’s gonna cost me $600/$700 just for antifreeze to put fluid in the rear of this Kubota I just bought. A google search shows each rear tire will hold 55 gallons, so I’d have to use 55 gallons of antifreeze between the 2. I figure at least with weight gets they are removable if need be and won’t lose them in case of a flat.

are you using straight antifreeze?

 

[Little Joe]

So you’re thinking of putting in 100% antifreeze? Is that normal? I always have the place that I buy my tractors put it in. Never knew it was 100%. Thought just enough to keep it good to about -20 or so

Each tire hold 55 gallons of fluid, so I’d have to have 55 gallons of antifreeze for a 50/50 mix for both tires

 

[Little Joe]

Straight antifreeze freezes around 0F. You need to add water to lower the freezing point.
Nobody up here uses antifreeze, but rather calcium, mostly because it’s heavier.
I prefer weights though, and as @RDFF said, auctions can be a good place to find them.

Each tire holds 55 gallons of fluid, so I need 55 gallons of antifreeze for a 50/50 mix for both tires.