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Tractor Pulling Discussion Forum

Rear Weights

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Tye

01-07-2004 06:13:00




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I have a stock JD 50 that I like to pull in our local pulls. I pulled it once last year and to be honest I had no idea what I was doing. I don't know the rules or anything yet but, if I wanted to weigh down the rear, could I make brackets and hang suitcase weights off the rear axle? Is this legal? Thanks for any help. Have a great day.




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colekicker

01-07-2004 23:15:18




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
Ok, so it is agreed that you need to add weight. The most effective way to add the weight is where it can be moved and be effective. If you put weights behind the axle and have to counter-act it with weight in the front, you are gonna just be wasting weight that you have stuck out front. Put the weight where it will be keeping the front down and the rear rubber on the ground. If you watch some of the guys when they pull on the scales, you will see them see how much their frontend weighs before they pull the back rubber on, depending on the scales. This way they have an idea as to the balance of the tractor. So if the frontend goes sky-high, add weight to the front. Remember, it is all physics. If you have 2" of lift you are using every bit of weight the tracotr had on the rear wheels. So, get to the top of your weight class and use all the weight of your tractor to your advantage.

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Andy

01-07-2004 19:58:55




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
If you pull on gravel tracks, it's nice to have the option of wieghts behind the axle. I pull a GB MM that is very front end heavy and rear brackets make a huge difference on loose tracks.



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AC PULLER

01-07-2004 19:27:48




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
First step find out what rules you have follow. If you can run weight brackets put one on front one on rear one on each side in front of rear axle. Watch other tractors like yours in same weight class and weight similar to them. Every track and different sleds are going to change weight placement. Keep enough weight on front end to be able to steer to the end of your pull. Front wheels off the ground above 2 inches only hurt you because drawbar height goes down fast. Good luck.

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Wild Horses

01-07-2004 10:16:44




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
These guys are right. Every sitution is different. The best thing is to get some experience with your tractor. The biggest help is paying attention. Watch how the other tractors are weighted up, how some of the "professionals" move their weight around for track conditions and have someone on the sidelines watching how your tractor carries the front end during your pull. You want the front end to float light, but stay down as long as possible.
Hanging brackets anywhere is great. It's easier to throw 70-100 suitcase weights than 150-200 # wheel weights. Especially when your hurrying for the next class.
And don't worry. It'll all come with time, common sense, and thought. None of these guys dominated classes their first time out.

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Jim

01-07-2004 09:40:43




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
The weighting of a tractor depends on the tractor, the hitch point which I think some of the comments do not reflect, the length of chain, the type of track, the tires and what horsepower your tractor can produce. Also every tractor is different. Bottom line is you need to observe, experiment and come up with a plan for you.



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Chads

01-07-2004 07:32:15




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 Re: Rear Weights in reply to Tye, 01-07-2004 06:13:00  
You would have better luck putting the weight bracket in front of the rear axle, under the tractor, When you put weights on the axle, you should either use wheel weights on the wheels, and weight in front of the axle,, When you put weight behind it, it acts as a counter balance, causing the front end to be light, 9 times out of 10 you have to have just as much wieght on the nose as you would behind the axle, and still have balance problems. The front of the tractor should carry about 5 inches off the ground, my opinion is not more than 10 inches, Weights in front of the axle will help plant the rear tires, and also help hold the front down. I have never ran no more than 4 150 lb wheel weghts on an axle, when I have the weights in front of the axle, Hope this helps,, ChadS

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720Deere

01-07-2004 08:50:36




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 Re: Re: Rear Weights in reply to Chads, 01-07-2004 07:32:15  
"When you put weight behind it, it acts as a counter balance, causing the front end to be light, 9 times out of 10 you have to have just as much wieght on the nose as you would behind the axle".

If the weights are hung directly on the rear of the axle housing, the front end of the tractor would be 8' to 10' in front of the axle giving a serious mechanical advantage the weight on the front end. You should only need at most 100 lbs of front weight for every 1000 lbs that you add to the rear. This will vary on different tractors, but for the old Deeres this has been my experience.

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ChadS

01-07-2004 19:44:03




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 Re: Re: Re: Rear Weights in reply to 720Deere, 01-07-2004 08:50:36  
I agree with you to a cretain extent. First,, If you go putting 1000 lbs of weights behind the rear axle of tha JD 50,, and only putting 100lbs on the nose to copensate it,, that 50 will go straight in the air!! The front ends are much lighter than the bigger JD's. I belive you about 1000 lbs behind the axle and 100# on the nose for a tractor like a 70,720,730. We pull deadweight witha 730,, and have over 1000 lbs behind the axle, and 75-100lb to balance the front out. On asphalt. Lighter tractors, need more balance,, When you put weight in front of the axle,, It will plant the tires and balance the frame, If you need weight on the axles on a lighter tractor,, put them on the wheels in the form of wheel weights. It will make the tires heavier on the ground, and will not affect the initial balance of the balance of the tractor, itself.

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Jeff

01-07-2004 15:08:11




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 Re: Re: Re: Rear Weights in reply to 720Deere, 01-07-2004 08:50:36  
Just my observation from my tractor here but here goes. Where we pull we have the hitch 18 inchs from the center of the axle and 20 inches high. I have an Oliver 88 and with wighte hangers in both of the cultivator holes I run about 360 lbs on the front and don't change it from class to class. Of course now i only pull in 5000-5500 but the front end usually rund about 2-4 inches off of the ground sometime after halftrack. I have my hanging weights hung right on the bakc of the axle and it works real good for me although all tractors balance different. Farmalls seem to like them just a little in front of the rear axle and low.

On a Deere you will usually have to ad more weight on the front just because all other motor is farther back than on other makes. Best thing to do is to find someone who pulls a tractor similar to yours and watch them and see where and how much they put their weights. Hehe i did alot of guessing on mine as at the time I usually the only Oliver at a pull that wasn't a hot rod. Seems this year that is going to change as several people have bought Olivers now, right JACK!! ?? :)

Always remember the most important rule of antique tractor pulling, have fun!

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Jack

01-08-2004 14:48:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Rear Weights in reply to Jeff, 01-07-2004 15:08:11  
You don't have to worry about mine,it's them strokers that seem to slip into the farm STOCK class.Hope to have fun anyhow and probably will too.



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