Weights for traction

So what I'd like to ask for is those of you who have weighted down your tires, how well did it work as compared to unweighted tires? Big gains? Little gains? And any other observations you'd care to make on the effect of tire weight on the N.

Sincerely,

Nolan
with the spinning sliding and unweighted 8N

so, with that in mind, i've managed to drag some large tree trunks around in some sloppy conditions. best i recall is about a 24" dia. red oak around 20'long. this was done in about 6" of wet snow over another 6" of mud last spring. my method (and i've heard many differing opinions on the correct way to drag logs.... let's leave that for another time) is to use a drawbar on the lift arms, chain it up with the log and lift the front end of the log about 2". you can feel the weight shift back as the log comes up. the pull through the slop also included an intermittent stream crossing. as i crossed the ditch, the log touched ground, then the wheels spun. raised the log a bit and off i went.

so... can't really say how much weight i was using, but it really helps. oh... as for steering, the muck was too much on the hills so it was brake steering in places.

now for the disclaimers.... i pulled very gently, 1st gear, lower throttle. avoid jerking to avoid damage to the arms. one foot on the clutch at all times. one eye on the terrain ahead, one eye on the log end (to watch for snags).

for what it's worth

ike

Just trying to get a feedback feel about how well added weight worked, and what problems and negatives were encountered.

If I did not have to worry about tearing up lawn, I would not hesitate to put an antifreeze solution in my lug tires - it really was an appreciable difference in traction for a relatively small investment. I would also rather have the fluid than solid weights. I just know that sometime I would do something stupid putting them on or taking them off - I about hurt myself dropping the weights for my little JD and they are only 50 slippery pounds and easy to get at..

Nolan, I've pulled this tractor at 3000#, 3500# and 4500# on 9.5x32, 11.2x28 12.4x28, 13.6x28, and 14.9x24 tires. As a rule, the extra weight increases the pulled percentage by about the same amount...ie if the 3500# tractor pulls 4000# = 114%. I'd expect the 4500# tractor to pull about 5100# (114%). Not all of the added weight would go on the rear wheels; I often put on one or even two sets of front rim weights to keep it down.

Best tire at 3500# is 12.4 Firestone AT Field and Road. Best tire at 4500# is 13.6 Firestone AT.

This has been my experience.

John.CO

Next year I am going to have the driveway paved, and I am sure it will be a whole different story.

Something else that helped was to wirebrush and paint the blade, then spray it with silicone so the snow won't stick front and back. When the blade was all rusty, it didn't work near as well. I also use stabilizer bars and they make a difference in how the blade works.
I hope this information helps.
John C.