Wheel weights vs filled tires.

[Mac McVey]

Can't get through my thick skull which produces less stress on a tractor axle? Filled tires or wheel weights bolted to the rim. I have window washing fluid in eack rear tire and also wheelweights bolted to each rim of my Cub. Which produces less wear/stress on the axles or does it matter. Just curious, maybe someone with more mechanical engineering knowlwdge can chime in.
Thanks
Mac

[DieselDennis]

Well I have an M.E. degree, not that it's wort much.

Probably isn't two cents worth of difference. If I had to say, I'd give the wheel weights a slight advantage to tractor axle stress. It's located a more central to the axle and the weight is continuous all the way around.

Chances are if you use fluid, you only fill the tires 60%-70%, and the fluid kinds of "floats" inside the tire.

Again, probably isn't two cents worth of difference.

[Scrivet]

Can't get through my thick skull which produces less stress on a tractor axle? Filled tires or wheel weights bolted to the rim. ................

Don't know which one produces less stress on the axle but I can say with certainty which one produces less stress on me when I have to fix a flat tire

[UK-Cub]

Only had my Cub, a first tractor, a week or two but hope my answer sounds sensible.

Wheels weights will impose loads on the transmission under acceleration and braking (Newton) greater than if not fitted, the inertia of the wheels and tractor having been increased.

Similarly partially filled tyres will impose loads, but when the load is taken off I think that the sloshing around, the tyres not being full, will cause torsional vibrations in the drive with a detrimental effect on the transmission splines/gears.

[ScottyD'sdad]

I wouldn't worry about using either. The cub was built, or overbuilt, for weight added, and has lasted 60 years. I doubt that you'll break it, now.
Ed

[Eugene]

Which produces less wear/stress on the axles or does it matter.

There is more shock and stress placed on the tractor's drive train by implements and their use than wheel weights.

I wouldn't worry about using either. The cub was built, or overbuilt, for weight added, and has lasted 60 years. I doubt that you'll break it, now.

[v w]

Wheel weights. Liquid filled can be a real pain. To say nothing of what sometimes happens to rims when the liquid leaks. Vern

[SONNY]

I would prefer IRON myself---tire repair is then much simpler thanks; sonny

[bythepond88]

Given that the weight of either is acting only on the tire, and the axle is not supporting either, I don't see that either would put any stress on the axle itself.

It is true that the weight adds some inertia to overcome when starting from a stop, but unless you are popping the clutch, the rate at which you are trying to overcome that inertia is very slow, and the incremental addition probably doesn't have much effect.

[Pickerincal]

I have both on my 47 cub.. it came that way. Any problem having both? I'm now thinking of leaving the fluid out after the rebuild after thinking of the flat tire scenario.

[Eugene]

I have both on my 47 cub.. it came that way. Any problem having both? I'm now thinking of leaving the fluid out after the rebuild after thinking of the flat tire scenario.

You can leave the steel and fluid weight in/on. Won't hurt anything.

You may not need both types of weights or any weight. Depends on how you use your tractor.

Fluid removal. You can do the task yourself and rinse the inside of the tubes. Heavy messy job, but will give you a chance to inspect and repair or paint the inside of the rim. You may have to purchase new tubes since the valves tend to be highly corroded.

Other alternative is a shop that handles or specializes in repairing farm tires in the field. They will have the equipment to remove the fluid without dismounting the tire from the rim. Check prices, sometimes fairly expensive.

[Bus Driver]

Given that the horizontal pull, in pounds, that can be achieved is always less than the vertical weight, in pounds, pressing the tires to the surface below, having both can mean that the tractor will pull heavier loads uphill than can a tractor not so ballasted. Fluid in tires can be a problem but can also be a benefit.

Is that also true of marriage? With marriage and tractor ballast, my experience is that the benefits outweigh the problems.

[Scrivet]

.......having both can mean that the tractor will pull heavier loads uphill .............................

than the brakes MAY be able to hold should you have to stop. (Just something to consider)

[Mac McVey]

Thanks to all for chiming in. Your comments have been most helpful in helping me to understand a lot better. I'm going to leave things as they are especially the liquid. "Baby" as the '58 Cub is called isn't going to get any flat tires (ha ha) but the hardship in fixing flats is noted.
I've been a member since 2003 and Lurk quite a bit but rarely post because I learn more than I can provide. The information provided by all of you experienced Cub owners has proven invaluable over the years.
Thanks again
Mac