Ballast tractor tyres to support motor skills

Ballasting is done by adding weights. Some farmers do this themselves, but you can also ask your dealer to provide it. For good traction, we recommend you add around 50 kilograms per horsepower. Multiply 50 kg by the number of horses on the tractor and you get the weight you need.

The objective is to balance the load between the front and rear axles of the tractor. For example, if an implement mounted at the rear of the tractor unbalances the tractor by taking weight off the front, it may be necessary to add weight at the front to maintain balance.

In the case of tractors fitted with front loaders, it may be necessary to add weights at the rear to compensate for the imbalance.

Ballasting is crucial to support a tractor's power-to-weight ratio, especially when it is faced with difficult working conditions such as deep ploughing. A tractor that is not heavy enough will have difficulty exerting effective traction in such conditions, hence the need to add ballast to support its traction capacity and overall efficiency.

Weights can be fixed to the wheels.

They can also be fitted to various points on farm machinery, such as front or rear lifting gear, and sometimes under the tractor to lower its centre of gravity while maintaining the balance of loads between front and rear.

Ballasting tyres with water / liquids

Ballasting is not just for tractors; it can also be relevant to other farm machinery.

For example, in the case of forage harvesters or combine harvesters, some manufacturers offer the option of adding extra weight to the rear of the machine to balance it against the implements that will be installed at the front.

Self-propelled sprayers may also require ballasting, particularly when used on sloping terrain.

In viticulture, ballasting is commonly used because the terrain in vineyards can be particularly steep. Ballasting is used on high-clearance tractors and harvesting machines, particularly grape harvesters. High-clearance tractors have a relatively high centre of gravity, which makes them more likely to tip over when operating on steep terrain. To improve safety in such conditions, it is common practice to ballast the machine with weights or liquid to lower its centre of gravity.

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