How much weight do you add?

[Shrewcub]

I've pondered the idea of putting a set of ATV tracks on the rear. If only money grew on trees!

[DoubleO7]

Run duals if you like.
For snow plowing and driving on snow and/or ice I will go skinny tires every time.
Slippery slime covered boat ramp? Skinny tires are gonna bite, fat tires are gonna float and you just spin.
Good plow-able dirt (not soupy mud) yea, duals.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

Run duals if you like.
For snow plowing and driving on snow and/or ice I will go skinny tires every time.
Slippery slime covered boat ramp? Skinny tires are gonna bite, fat tires are gonna float and you just spin.
Good plow-able dirt (not soupy mud) yea, duals.

Yes, true, but if running chains it changes the equation.

[DoubleO7]

When I lived in Michigan, one winter my daily driver was a CJ5 Jeep.
I had the bright idea of running with chains on all four.
Worked great as long as you were putting around.
But after taking a corner too fast and spinning like at top and trying to stop to suddenly another time, I took them off.
The chains turned into ice skates at a certain mass-over-takes-friction point.
Was not fun at all in either situation, LOL.

[johncub7172]

IH did not recommend a maximum number of the IH wheel weights that could be used, but for most applications, two sets per rear wheel would do. The weight of one IH wheel weight was 26 pounds.

[782CC]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

IH did not recommend a maximum number of the IH wheel weights that could be used, but for most applications, two sets per rear wheel would do. The weight of one IH wheel weight was 26 pounds.

Stepping off the bathroom scales, Oh My! I need a heavy duty CC. lol Actually good to know. Note though that I do have to add 150 lbs to the machine for my son to get the same weight/traction as I do. So curious what IH assumed for rider weight with that recommendation. Of course they would not officially approve of young ones operating our heavy equipment. But I do.

[Workinprogress]

One question I have is what kind of slope are you plowing on? I run 50+ lbs cast weights each side with loaded tires and another 40-50 lbs on a rear rack. I have a sloped driveway and often I plow sideways on the slope. Without the additional weight the uphill tire starts to slip. I also run v-bar chains but am plowing a dirt driveway.

[782CC]

If you are asking me? I am also way above that recommended weight. 50 lb inside weights, fluid in the tires 75lb outside weights. Vbar chains. Last year did not have inside weight and required standing on the back sometimes when my son was pushing snow. So I added 100 inside. Expecting to put some on the back if he still has rouble. Level and downhill is good. Going up driveways witha layer of ice can be a struggle.

[4SPEED]

loaded tires , 95 lb in each wheel , my 200 lbs and chains

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by 782CC

If you are asking me? I am also way above that recommended weight. 50 lb inside weights, fluid in the tires 75lb outside weights. Vbar chains. Last year did not have inside weight and required standing on the back sometimes when my son was pushing snow. So I added 100 inside. Expecting to put some on the back if he still has rouble. Level and downhill is good. Going up driveways witha layer of ice can be a struggle.

The way I understood the text, is that: IH did not recommend a maximum amount of IH wheel weights that could be used , meaning that IH knew that the owner operator would set up the weight according to his need of operation. Mowing on slight inclines could require a certain amount of wheel weight to hold traction, snow removal might require more wheel weight, and having a FEL can require multiple sets of wheel weights and other forms of a rear counter weight.

I certainly can agree with the statement IH made. Two sets of IH wheel weights usually are enough weight. I don't think I want a heavy garden tractor mowing lawn, but two sets for pushing snow works for me. I'm 210 pounds, and the rear wheels weigh about 100 pounds each. My weight set up is set up according to how I operate my garden tractor. There is never a good reason, however to over weight the tractor. Overweighting the tractor causes the drive line coupler pins to wear and break, as well as common stress on a gear drive unit.