[MSU 88]

Just ordered the 200 CX today and can't wait to try out the loader. The tractor will be picked up on Monday to have it installed and the tires filled. Hope the snow holds off while the tractor is away.

Let the fun begin.

Mike

 

[TUDOR]

:MTF_wel2: , MSU 88!!!

Ooooooooooo, you're going to have so much fun they're going to make it illegal!!!!

Congrats, and welcome to the club.

 

[slkpk]

:MTF_wel: and have fun with it. slkpk

 

[JDFANATIC]

Welcome to the forum! :Welcome1: and congrats on your loader purchase.

 

[BLIND REF]

Welcome to the forum! :Welcome1: and congrats on your loader purchase.

:ditto::ditto:Your back will be thanking you every time you use it!:fing32:

 

[NEWT92]

:congrats: You wont know how you done things without it!! What size bucket??? Think about some pallet forks in the future. My forks are on my loader 75% of the time. Bucket just sits around all by its self. :crybaby:

 

[Chaddo]

Welcome to the forum MSU 88, lots of great info here, I sure love my 200CX :greendr:

 

[Team_Green]

Welcome to MTF and as Newt said.. forks are even better then a bucket.. I use my bale spear as forks so very often..

:congrats: You wont know how you done things without it!! What size bucket??? Think about some pallet forks in the future. My forks are on my loader 75% of the time. Bucket just sits around all by its self. :crybaby:

:thThumbsU

 

[MSU 88]

Thanks for the welcome guys. The bucket size is 54" and a set of forks will be next. Planning on moving snow with the bucket and a 72" BB. Hopefully all the snow moving will help me get comfortable with using the loader and then I should be ready for larger jobs in the spring.

Mike

 

[glc]

Hello Mike and :MTF_wel:
Congrats on your new attachment.:fing32:
Do you already have a ballast box?
Snow won't be an issue without rear ballast,but if you're going to get into heavy loader work,a ballast box is a must to keep the stress off that front axle.

Greg

 

[TUDOR]

Hello Mike and :MTF_wel:
Congrats on your new attachment.:fing32:
Do you already have a ballast box?
Snow won't be an issue without rear ballast,but if you're going to get into heavy loader work,a ballast box is a must to keep the stress off that front axle.

Greg

A ballast box will not reduce stress on the front axle, and if the hydraulics are up for it, a ballast box can actually increase stress on the front axle by giving more counter weight for the loader to work with, and hopefully keep the rear tires in firm enough contact with the ground at the same time to give traction so the tractor can move the payload to another location.

The rear tires on my FEL equipped GT have a gotten a lot of air time from trying to lift too much over the years.

After using FELs for snow removal for over 30 years, I can categorically state that a tractor/loader without a ballast box or other rear end weight is of questionable value. The main drive wheels are in the rear, not the front, and winter traction is at a premium. The front tires will have a hard time steering the tractor if the rears don't have traction for reaction to the steering forces.

 

[glc]

A ballast box will not reduce stress on the front axle

Tudor you need to show me where that is a written fact. Everything you read about a loader and counterbalance always refers to proper ballast behind the rear wheels.

Greg

 

[MSU 88]

Thanks for the information guys. My snow set up for my 2520 will be loader, 72" BB and the tires are being loaded today with Rim Gaurd. I have R4s and not sure of the capacity of each tire. I hope that will provide enough weight.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ducati996]

A ballast box will not reduce stress on the front axle, and if the hydraulics are up for it, a ballast box can actually increase stress on the front axle by giving more counter weight for the loader to work with, and hopefully keep the rear tires in firm enough contact with the ground at the same time to give traction so the tractor can move the payload to another location.

The rear tires on my FEL equipped GT have a gotten a lot of air time from trying to lift too much over the years.

After using FELs for snow removal for over 30 years, I can categorically state that a tractor/loader without a ballast box or other rear end weight is of questionable value. The main drive wheels are in the rear, not the front, and winter traction is at a premium. The front tires will have a hard time steering the tractor if the rears don't have traction for reaction to the steering forces.

I tried to see where you were going with this, but its completely inaccurate....refer to the owners manual and how and why ballast is needed might help you...

 

[ducati996]

Thanks for the information guys. My snow set up for my 2520 will be loader, 72" BB and the tires are being loaded today with Rim Gaurd. I have R4s and not sure of the capacity of each tire. I hope that will provide enough weight.

Thanks,
Mike

It will not....you will need significantly more - refer to the FEL manual for more details and approx total combined weight.....fluid filled tires are no where near enough for the maximum FEL rated capacity....you will find yourself burying the nose of the tractor, and your rear wheels will be up in the air.....

 

[iwantatractor]

Thanks for the information guys. My snow set up for my 2520 will be loader, 72" BB and the tires are being loaded today with Rim Gaurd. I have R4s and not sure of the capacity of each tire. I hope that will provide enough weight.

Thanks,
Mike

The loaded tires and blade will be fine for regular snow. A bucket full to the top of wet heavy snow might feel uncomfortable tho when you raise the bucket to dump it. If in doubt get more rear weight.

 

[NEWT92]

The loaded tires and blade will be fine for regular snow. A bucket full to the top of wet heavy snow might feel uncomfortable tho when you raise the bucket to dump it. If in doubt get more rear weight.

I have never had that feeling with mine. Last year and now this year, Im running my unloaded turfs with the blade on the back. No problems at all.

Couple weeks ago, I picked up a pallet with 4 big wheel weights, total pallet load was 720 lbs. Picked it up from the bed of my truck, nothing on the 3pt, but I still had my loaded R4s. I did have to use 4wd to carry the pallet to where I stored it, but rear tires never left the ground.

 

[MSU 88]

My dealer dropped off the tractor yesterday afternoon and it sure looks nice. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet other than a quick lesson on how to remove and attach it.

The rear tires were loaded with a little more than 22 gal. each with Rim Gaurd for added weight of about 500 lbs. Does this sound right, I thought 22 gal/tire seemed high?

Anyway, I need to find a small project around the house so I can play with this.

Mike

 

[TUDOR]

Tudor you need to show me where that is a written fact. Everything you read about a loader and counterbalance always refers to proper ballast behind the rear wheels.

Greg

Greg, the comment was written addressing the specific issue of stress on the front axle, not counterweight in general.

With no counterweight and a max capacity load in the bucket, traction will be at a premium. If the tractor can move, it won't be very fast with limited traction and a small obstacle will stop it. By adding a ballast box, the traction will be improved and the tractor will go over that same obstacle with ease and probably with some speed, thereby placing more stress on the axle just from impact with the obstacle alone.

Bottom line, improved ballast increases stress on the front axle.

I tried to see where you were going with this, but its completely inaccurate....refer to the owners manual and how and why ballast is needed might help you...

I don't know what your owners manual tells you about this, but the lift capacity of my GT's FEL far exceeds the weight of the tractor. With no ballast at all, a max capacity lift for the loader will only succeed in lifting the rear wheels off the ground placing the entire weight of the tractor on the front axle along with the weight of the payload sufficient to balance it.

By adding ballast to the tires, 320 lb, chains, 30 lb, wheel weights, 80 lb and rear blade, 250 lb, for a total of 680 lb of counterweight, it will still lift the rear wheels off the ground. With only the front wheels making contact with the ground, guess where all that extra stress ends up.

This has nothing to do with the rules set out in the manual for the safe operation without damage to the tractor, and everything to do with the laws of physics for what will actually happen.

I've been playing at the top end of the lift capability spectrum with my GTs for over 3 decades and have broken the spindles right off the front axle in the process. The maximum scaled lift and transport for my GT was over 1400 lb plus the 210 lb bucket. I have no idea at what lift level the rear wheels will come off the ground, but they have, and with all of the above ballasting in place.


Counterweighting of a FEL equipped tractor is essential for safe operation and maximum capacity. My post was aimed only at the incorrect statement that improved ballasting reduces stress on the front axle.