51 lb Front Wheel Weights 18 Auto

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

I finished up the Front Wheel Weights, planned on 50 lbs but ended up at 51 lbs! Really do not want to machine any more so 51 lbs it is! Any thoughts? Too heavy?

[WHX?? 48,803]

 

2 minutes ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

 Too heavy?

 

No such thing... nice thing about WWs is they tranferr all their weight to the ground not on sometimes questionable bearings or bushings. 

[ebinmaine 67,331]

6 minutes ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

thoughts? Too heavy?

Nahh!!

 

I run fluid filled tires on the front of the plow Tractor.  C series.   

 

Those have 55 lbs of fluid each side.  

 

 

Add more!! 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

Just now, WHX?? said:

 

 

No such thing... nice thing about WWs is they tranferr all their weight to the ground not on sometimes questionable bearings or bushings. 

I read about the weight transfer, was more concerned about the 1/2-13" bolt on the Bell Crank? 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Nahh!!

 

I run fluid filled tires on the front of the plow Tractor.  C series.   

 

Those have 55 lbs of fluid each side.  

 

 

Add more!! 

Yes, I remember your post of the beet juice calculation, was my deciding factor on this set.

[WHX?? 48,803]

same with loaded tires about transferring... problem with us and our plow mules is all that desired up front weight can be rough on sometimes delicate steering gear. Prolly not so much on ice or snow tho. 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

11 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

same with loaded tires about transferring... problem with us and our plow mules is all that desired up front weight can be rough on sometimes delicate steering gear. Prolly not so much on ice or snow tho. 

I will not run the 18 Auto in Snow over Grass or Dirt, just doesn't do well at all! Now one time running with low tire pressure the 1/2-13" bolt on the Bell Crank snapped, but it was original part so a lot of stress already.

[ebinmaine 67,331]

1 minute ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

I will not run the 18 Auto in Snow over Grass or Dirt, just doesn't do well at all! Now one time running with low tire pressure the 1/2-13" bolt on the Bell Crank snapped, but it was original part so a lot of stress already.

That's what welders are for.  

 

😂

[Pullstart 62,812]

49 minutes ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

Too heavy?

Blasphemy!  

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

That's what welders are for.  

 

😂

No need, replaced the bolt.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

Blasphemy!  

Getting all Sacrilegious on me there, forgive my transgression....

[ri702bill 8,296]

The aded weight really helps to improve the steering - you will notice the difference while pushing snow with the blade angled. You get a lot of side-slip and the plow tries to steer the tractor in the opposite direction, the weight makes the tires more effective.

Edited December 26, 2022 by ri702bill

[peter lena 8,589]

@Manicmacanic  do anything to insure lubrication to that area ?  center axel pivot point , vertical spindles ?  bearings?  just asking , pete 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

@Manicmacanic  do anything to insure lubrication to that area ?  center axel pivot point , vertical spindles ?  bearings?  just asking , pete 

Oh yes, the same high quality grease I use on spindles...

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

6 hours ago, ri702bill said:

The aded weight really helps to improve the steering - you will notice the difference while pushing snow with the blade angled. You ger a lot of side-slip and the plow tries to steer the tractor in the opposite direction, the weight makes the tires more effective.

I certainly look forwards to that!

[Horse Newbie 7,057]

22 hours ago, WHX?? said:

they tranferr all their weight to the ground

Well seems like the extra weight could cause extra wear on the tie rod ends and steering mechanism gears…

just part of the cost of better traction…

[WHX?? 48,803]

True Newbie... I'm not much of a snow pusher ... not till next year anyway and I outfit C-120 Alice with a blade. Only hydro I got with hy lift.

Gonna sell the plow for the 4 wheeler. Haven’t used it years... will favor  seat time. 

Was always worried about lack of traction on my inclines but a new to me 502 with no weights or nothing but 6-12 ags is proving her nettle. 

 

When talking about front weights I get stuck in a furrow so to speak! 

 

Finding out plowing snow is a bit of a different ball game and alot less harder on a front end. I'm still a newbie on pushing snow. 

[Lee1977 6,650]

On 12/24/2022 at 8:25 PM, ebinmaine said:

Nahh!!

 

I run fluid filled tires on the front of the plow Tractor.  C series.   

 

Those have 55 lbs of fluid each side.  

 

 

Add more!! 

You don't have bearings in those heavy front wheels. You need to switch the tires to trailer wheels so you could have bearings.

Edited December 26, 2022 by Lee1977

[ebinmaine 67,331]

8 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

You don't have bearings in those heavy front wheels. You need to switch the tires to trailer wheels so you could have bearings.

Absolutely true.  

I have all the parts. 

I need to get the spindles drilled. 

 

[peter lena 8,589]

@Manicmacanic noting your plow blade  front end slide , why not give the face of that blate a lubrication  spray down ?  done that for years , the snow  rolls / slides of that  with total ease , once you feed that metal surface with lubricant , it will retain a slick release surface  , make sense ?  pete

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

27 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Manicmacanic noting your plow blade  front end slide , why not give the face of that blate a lubrication  spray down ?  done that for years , the snow  rolls / slides of that  with total ease , once you feed that metal surface with lubricant , it will retain a slick release surface  , make sense ?  pete

Yes, I keep it slick, rolls right off, even wet stuff!

[peter lena 8,589]

 @Manicmacanic  tell others  about your  blade lubrication experience ,  if you are doing something that regularly improves  function ,  spread the word ,  makes plowing much easier , pete

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

23 hours ago, peter lena said:

 @Manicmacanic  tell others  about your  blade lubrication experience ,  if you are doing something that regularly improves  function ,  spread the word ,  makes plowing much easier , pete

Yes,dry Spray Lube used for windows does a nice job. Wax is another, Furniture Polish with Wax. Even old Oil. Lastly Fresh Coat of Paint (Inside Snow Thrower Chute) I also set the Feet to correct depth and the angle but that's common knowledge...

Edited December 27, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[kpinnc 11,940]

On 12/25/2022 at 11:28 PM, Lee1977 said:

You don't have bearings in those heavy front wheels. You need to switch the tires to trailer wheels so you could have bearings.

 

These bearings also can be helpful. On mine, the longevity is still up in the air, but so far so good. The only thing I don't like is that they have no seals, so an outer grease cap is most helpful. 

 

And- I don't think I'd use them if you already have significant wear in the knuckle where the factory bearing rides. 

[ebinmaine 67,331]

11 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

These bearings also can be helpful. On mine, the longevity is still up in the air, but so far so good. The only thing I don't like is that they have no seals, so an outer grease cap is most helpful. 

 

And- I don't think I'd use them if you already have significant wear in the knuckle where the factory bearing rides. 

I like the look of those.  

 

I literally have NO bearings in my front wheels though and can't put any in. 

I'll be getting more fluid fill soon and updating the front axle.