Tractor ballast: weights and liquid ballast

A tractor's pulling power depends not only on the engine but on how firmly the tires grip the ground. A light tractor slips under a heavy plough even with a strong engine, so weight — ballast — is added to suit the job.

Why ballast?

Too little weight and the tires spin, wearing lugs and wasting fuel. Too much and the soil is compacted, rolling resistance rises and tires are overloaded. Aim for enough weight to keep slip reasonable.

Types of ballast

• Front weights: keep the front wheels down when heavy implements are mounted at the rear.
• Wheel weights: cast weights bolted to the rear rims, removable after the job.
• Liquid ballast: rear tires partly filled with water or anti-freeze solution. Cheap and effective, but hard to remove.

About liquid ballast

• Without anti-freeze, water can freeze and damage tire and rim.
• Some salt solutions can corrode rims.
• Liquid-filled tires ride harder.
• Measure pressure with the valve at the top.

Ballast and pressure

More weight means more load on the tire, so re-set pressure from the manufacturer's load table.

Do not exceed the maximum weights and axle loads in your tractor's manual.