Ballasting Machine

CAUTION: Avoid Injury! Ballasted machine may become unstable when attachment is raised. Always drive slowly over uneven ground and when turning with raised attachment.

IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! Do not overload tires. Do not exceed tire maximum inflation pressure or maximum load capacity.

Add weight to machine front end if needed for stability. Heavy pulling and heavy rear mounted implements tend to lift front wheels. Add enough ballast to maintain steering control and prevent tip over. Remove weight when it is no longer needed.

IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! Remove ballast from machine when no longer needed.

Tire Capacities

Use the following charts to determine the tire maximum inflation pressure and load capacity.

Verify maximum tire inflation pressure and maximum load information if embossed into the tire side wall.

Maximum Inflation Pressures for Rear Tires
Tire Size	Ply	kPa (psi) Loaded	Maximum Load Capacity kg (lb)
26 x 12.00-12 R4	4	138 (20)	807 (1780)
26 x 12.00-12 R3	4	138 (20)	807 (1780)

Maximum Inflation Pressures for Front Tires
Tire Size	Ply	kPa (psi) Loaded	Maximum Load Capacity kg (lb)
18 x 8.5-10 R4	4	152 (22)	376 (829)
18 x 8.5-10 R3	4	152 (22)	376 (829)

* Maximum pressure following tire manufacturer’s specifications.

**Maximum load capacity for single tire.

Using Optional Rear Cast Iron Wheel Weights

1. Mount rear wheels in the wide position for improved stability.

2. CAUTION: Avoid Injury! Machine component or attachment is heavy. Use a safe lifting device or get an assistant to help lift, install or remove component or attachment.

   Fasten weight to each rear wheel using a safe lifting device. A total of three weights per wheel may be used. See your implement operator’s manual for installation and number of weights to use.

   Rear wheel weights are available from your John Deere Dealer.

Using Optional Rear Ballast Box

CAUTION: Avoid Injury! To improve front loader-machine stability, use of ballast box is recommended. Use ballast as recommended in loader operator’s manual.

The rear ballast box is used for carrying ballast on the 3-point hitch. Approximate weight of different materials is given in the implement operator’s manual.

Using Liquid Weight in Tires

CAUTION: Avoid Injury! Installing liquid ballast requires special equipment and training. Injury may occur from exploding tire. Have the job done by your John Deere dealer or a tire service store.

IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! Cover rim completely with solution to avoid corrosion, but never more than 90 percent full. More solution would leave too little air space to absorb shocks. Damage to tire could occur.

NOTE: Use of alcohol as ballast is not recommended. Calcium chloride solution is heavier and more economical.

A solution of water and calcium chloride provides safe economical ballast, and will prevent freezing. If used properly, it will not damage tires, tubes, or rims.

A mixture of 0.4 kg of calcium chloride per liter of water (3.5 lb/gal), will not freeze solid above -45° C (-50° F).

Fill tubeless tires at least to valve stem level (minimum 75% full). Less solution would expose part of rim, possibly causing corrosion.

Tube-type tires may be filled to any level below 90%.

Using Optional Front Weights

LVAL38297-UN-21AUG12

A - Front Weight Bracket

IMPORTANT: Avoid Damage! Do not install weights on front bumper plate, damage to can occur to the front grille. Use optional bolt-on weight bracket for front weights.

Front weight bracket (A) is an optional bolt-on to the machine frame. The bracket will hold up to seven Quick-Tatch™ weights.

Each weight is 19 kg (42 lb).

Quick-Tatch weights and attaching hardware are available at your John Deere dealer.

See your implement operator’s manual for installation and required number of weights to use.