How to Improve Tractor Performance by Ballasting
We want to help you understand how to improve your tractor’s performance by ballasting.
And as a quick aside --- we are here to help you purchase a new tractor when the time is right.
Let’s get started.
Traction and Stability
Have you ever experienced traction and stability challenges while using your front loader?
Have you considered ordering a larger front tire package to support the weight that shifts to the front tires when using the loader?
The solution may be simpler and more affordable than buying new front tires.
Adjustment
Proper tractor ballasting is often the only adjustment needed to improve traction.
If you have been using a loader without a ballast box or similar counterweight (such as a heavy rear implement like a rotary cutter or a box scraper) --- most of your tractor’s weight may transfer to the front tires when you are carrying a heavy load in the loader bucket.
Rear traction is reduced when the weight transfers off your main drive tires.
Plus --- when too much weight is on the smaller front tires --- more weight is concentrated on a small portion of the soil --- increasing compaction. Excessive soil compaction is not something you want to happen on your lawn, garden, or crop fields.
Ballasting
When a proper ballast box (or similar counter weight) is attached to the rear of your tractor loader --- the weight that would otherwise transfer to the front tires is more evenly distributed between the front and rear tires --- allowing for a more balanced tractor.
Other ballasting options include adding suitcase weights and wheel weights.
This aids in traction at the main drive wheels and helps minimize compaction. Much of the weight remains on the rear tires --- spreading the load over a larger area of the soil due to the larger rear tire size.
It may seem counter intuitive to add weight to reduce compaction --- but in this situation, it helps considerably.
By attaching a ballast box or a heavy rear implement, you will give your tractor more traction and stability to get more done.
Hopefully, this brief article has helped you understand how to use ballasting to improve your tractor’s performance.
If you need any further help, or have any questions about ballasting, tractors, implements, or anything else equipment-related, please contact your dealer, local mechanic, or call us at 602-734-9944. Please ask about our current new and used tractor supply.
If you are looking for old, vintage, classic, or new tractor parts, send us a part request.
Team Tractor Ranch - #1 Tractor Dealer in Arizona. We sell and service most major brands of tractors including Yanmar, Kubota, John Deere, TYM, Mahindra, Kioti, Case, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Ford, Deutz, Case IH, Farmall, International Harvester, Branson Tractors, LS, Shibura, Claas Tractor, McCormick Tractors, Valtra, Solis, YTO, Montana, and Nortrac.
