(quoted from post at 11:46:35 12/31/13)
I think advantage/disadvantage of liquid ballast has a lot to do with the size of the tractor and type of tires(radial or bias-ply). Here's an excerpt from the Michelin Data. BTW the tires Michelin were testing were Metric Radials
Good job cherry picking the information to support your argument.
From the 3 boxes above the two you posted...(condensed to maintain continuity)
Ballast
• MICHELIN & tractor manufacturers recommend the
use of cast iron weights for ballast.
• Compared to cast iron weights, liquid ballast is NOT
the optimum recommendation.
Why Liquid Ballast is NOT
Optimum
• Footprint size is decreased because added weight acts at the
bottom of tire, not on the axle.
• Traction and flotation are reduced due to a smaller footprint.
• Soil compaction is increased due to a smaller footprint.
• Tires are more vulnerable to impact &
• Ride comfort is decreased due to reduced air cushion.
• Power hop tendency is significantly increased.
• Tendency for damage to power train & steering system is increased.
• Tires are much more difficult to service & repair.
[i:17b731a748][color=blue:17b731a748]There are for more cons to using fluid for ballast than pros.
Especially if you need optimal performance for field work.
Fluid in radials used for tillage reduces the radial advantage to the point that bias ply tires would work just as well for far less money[/color:17b731a748].[/i:17b731a748]