There are two primary reasons why people add weight to their tractors. The first is simply because more weight means more traction. However, in today’s world of 4 wheel drive compact tractors, this is rarely a problem except when pushing or pulling a heavy load. The other, more common reason, is to keep all four wheels on the ground in order to make solid contact while working. Doing so is a must for safety as well as for optimum performance.

Adding Weight to a Compact Tractor

When I want to add weight to a tractor, I follow this method - always in this order:

1. Keep the weight as low as possible. While any added weight will improve traction when moving slowly on flat ground, having added weight too far off the ground can be dangerous on hills and when accelerating, breaking, and when changing directions.

2. Add weight as close as possible to the center of gravity of the tractor. This is obvious in terms of left/right, but it’s also true for front to back. Why? Because doing so adds the weight on all four wheels as evenly as possible. Yes, putting the same amount of weight hanging off the back of the 3 point hitch will do more to increase your front loader capacity. But at the same time, it will actually reduce the amount of weight on the front wheels, potentially resulting in reduced maneuverability. Think of your tractor like a see-saw. When you add weight to the three point hitch, your back wheels become the fulcrum, and that rear weight is levering up on the front wheels. The same is true at the other end of the tractor - something anyone who has overloaded their front loader can tell you!

3. Put the weight where it’s not in the way. Let’s face it - generally speaking once we add that weight, we’d rather not have to mess with it again. And we certainly don’t want it preventing us from using some functions of the tractor.

4. Minimize added stress on the tractor. Adding weight makes the tractor work harder, and also increases wear and tear, especially to moving parts. When you add weight to the wheels, none of that weight has to be carried through the frame, linkages, and axles of the tractor.

The Pros of Wheel Weights 

When you go through this list, it quickly becomes apparent that the very best place to add the weight is to the wheels themselves. There are really two ways to do this - either by adding wheel weights, or by filling the tires with something heavy. There are a few reasons why I prefer the former.

1. It’s a lot easier to remove wheel weights than it is to remove tire ballast. If in fact you want to reduce your tractor weight (like for mowing sensitive turf) it’s a simple matter of unbolting and removing them. Not so for tire ballast, no matter which type you have. It’s either impossible (foam) or very messy and difficult (all liquids).

2. Every tire ballast has a downside. Water can only be used in climates where it doesn’t ever freeze. Foam is permanent and generally degrades ride comfort. Adding something to water to lower its freezing point leaves you with a liquid that isn’t easy to dispose of. Salt mixtures like potassium chloride will corrode and eventually ruin your rims.

3. Tires sometimes puncture. Now if you have liquid ballast, you’ve got a mess on your hands. If you’re in a farm field when it happens, you’re not going to be growing anything in that spot for a few years. Ask me how I know…

Once you look at all these factors, it’s pretty obvious that you should start the process of adding weight to your tractor with wheel weights. If that doesn’t add enough weight for what you are doing, then go back through the list above to decide what other options will give you the results you need.

If you decide that wheel weights are the best option for your tractor and its uses, we at Tractor Tools Direct carry a line of wheel weights that are compatible with several different makes of compact tractors. Check them out here or give us a call at 260-225-3429 to learn more. We’re proud to work under the motto that “compact tractors do real work.” Let us help you get more real work out of your compact tractor too!