Qiviut, I Have learned something today!
Q...Augie...Do modern Kubotas and I.H.s and John Deeres do this, or only old Fords?
(My father on a Ford Tractor, Tomah WI, 1948.)
Posted on 10/01/2025 5:23:58 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.
This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.
NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time.
I was sweeping off the front porch. Beau drove by in his Side-By-Side, rolled down the window and said,
“I am going out to get the mail, dispose of that Turkey Vulture carcass that Dolly (Beagle) dragged home and am then going to sight in my Elk rifle. Do NOT return fire! Do NOT return fire!”
LOL! Life is very different out here on the farm. ;)
Some years ago, dad had a tire on his Ford 2000 tractor that needed replacing. He knew where to go at the time (I wouldn’t have had a clue) to get a new tire & arrange for them to come out to our place & put it on.
It was quite a process since the back tires are filled with water & have antifreeze in them. The guy who came out had the tire on & filled in no time - knew what he was doing & had the right tools/equipment. Until that flat tire happened, I had no idea the tires had water in them!
Dad could barely walk but would insist on climbing up on that tractor to do stuff. He had a plastic step stool with a rope tied on it. Once on the tractor, he pulled the stool up with the rope - he’d put it back down with the rope when he was ready to get off. I had to help him a lot once he couldn’t get up/down easily (attaching chains to stuff he wanted to move, lining up the post hole digger, etc.). It was dangerous work - his feet were numb with peripheral neuropathy & he almost backed over me a couple of times. I drove the tractor myself to bush hog the fields.
He loved that tractor - when he passed, mom gave it to one of his granddaughters who has a 9 acre place they are homesteading - dad would have approved. As soon as her sons (now 2 & 4) can reach the clutch & brake, I have no doubt they’ll be driving that tractor.
https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/5/255-ford-2000.html
Love it.
LOL
That is a great story!
And...loved the vintage picture of you farming as a kid.
Very sweet.
🙂
Qiviut, I Have learned something today!
Q...Augie...Do modern Kubotas and I.H.s and John Deeres do this, or only old Fords?
(My father on a Ford Tractor, Tomah WI, 1948.)
So here is some AI generated info:
Water ballasting is a common practice for various tractors to improve traction, stability, and performance, particularly on challenging terrain or when operating heavy implements. This method is not limited to a specific brand or model but is especially beneficial for tractors with lower curb weight, such as 2WD and MFWD (mechanical front-wheel drive) models, where proper weight distribution is crucial for efficiency and safety. Tractors like the Massey Ferguson MF254 DI 4WD, John Deere 5075 series, Farmtrac 6055 Powermaxx 4WD, and Kubota A211N are among those where water ballasting is recommended or commonly applied to enhance performance.
The practice is widely used across different tractor types, including 4WD models, where ballasting helps achieve an optimal 55/45 front-to-rear weight distribution. For instance, larger row-crop tractors and loaders often benefit significantly from water ballast due to the lowered center of gravity, which improves stability during lifting operations. The standard fill level for water ballast is typically around 75% of the tire’s volume, leaving space for air pressure, though some manufacturers, like John Deere, recommend a 40% fill for road use to minimize ride harshness.
While plain water is a cost-effective and widely used option, it is not suitable for regions where temperatures drop below freezing, as the water can freeze and potentially damage the tire or rim. In such climates, a mixture of water and anti-freeze, such as calcium chloride or windshield washer fluid, is advised to prevent freezing. Some farmers use plain rainwater in areas where freezing is not a concern, and many report no significant issues with corrosion, especially if the rim is kept submerged or if the tires are tubeless.
In summary, water ballasting is a practical and common modification applied to a wide range of tractors, including models from Massey Ferguson, John Deere, Farmtrac, Kubota, and others, to improve traction, stability, and efficiency, particularly in demanding agricultural conditions.
Traction and to keep the front or rear end from lifting off the ground. Front end will lift with a lot of weight on the three point hitch and rear will lift with a lot of weight on a loader.
I've had the front end lift up many times on my little tractor. Sometimes it won't quite lift but I won't be able to steer because there's not enough weight on the front tires. One of these days I'll make a tray to hang on the front bumper that will hold 4x8x16 solid concrete blocks.
And of course DIY wheel weights have been made from concrete.
Cast iron wheel weights on a Ford. Looks like a single set but they can be stacked to the point where they stick out past the tires. They make special smooth versions called orchard weights that won't snag the fruit bushes/trees.
Front weighs are aka suitcase weights
I’ll be buying bags of sand to toss in the back of the SUV this winter for traction.
“Water ballasting is a common practice for various tractors to improve traction, stability, and performance, particularly on challenging terrain or when operating heavy implements.”
When Beau needs to drag the driveway after recycled blacktop and oil are put down, he has ME hop on top of the rake for ‘ballast!’
He’s gonna miss me when I’m gone, LOL!
While dad was on the tractor, my brother has climbed out on top of the post hole digger to add some ‘down force’ but it’s dangerous & I never volunteered to do that - I don’t think dad would have let me do that, being a ‘girl’. When he needed help on other stuff when he was in his late 90’s (like digging up leaking water pipes that were 2-3 ft. down & a boatload of work!), he didn’t ‘discriminate’!
FROSTED PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES
ING 1 c p/butter 2/3 c butter 1 c br/sugar 2 c sugar 4 eggs 2 c flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp b/powder 12 oz choc/chips 1 tsp vanilla
Beat peanut butter and butter to blend. Gradually add sugars; beat fluffy. Add/beat in eggs, singly. Mix in dry ing. Stir in choc/chips, vanilla. Spread in buttered 9x13" pan. Bake 350 deg 35-45 min to slightly brown. Cool on counter. Frost and serve.
CHOCOLATE P/BUTTER FROSTING Mix 2 c conf 4 tb milk 2 tb ea cocoa, p/butter 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Whew - I have Christmas presents for the grand niece’s & nephews picked out! For birthdays, they get a dollar for each year of their age ... I think they like this more than getting an actual present! My one niece had her girls make 3 jars for their money: savings, spending, church - I like that idea. For Christmas, I do give presents, but NO junk.
So the girls (7 & 9) are each getting journals with all sorts of stuff to decorate the pages, do some scrap booking, etc They are being home schooled & really starting to write & both are crafty/artistic.
The country boys (2 & 4) LOVE to fish. They are getting a fishing themed alphabet book. Each letter (like ‘T’ is for tackle) has other fishing terms & tips. They are also getting ‘flash card’ type laminated cards of freshwater fish pictures, habitat, how to catch, etc. Dad will have to help, but these little guys are SO smart that I bet they have the fish memorized in no time. The presents will be ‘joint’ so I will give them each a cute Christmas card with a couple of dollar bills.
The City Boys are 3 & 10 months. The baby is getting a baby prayer book & the older one is getting some Dr. Seuss books. The 3 yo ‘city’ boy needs to visit his country cousins more often for some experiences with animals, nature, getting REALLY dirty, etc! :-)
Liquid ballast in tractor drive tires is common across all brands, but water is not typically used, at least in places that experience freezing temps during winter.
Calcium chloride solution was commonly used back in the day, but it has some drawbacks. It’s very corrosive to the steel wheel rims and isn’t exactly “environmentally friendly”.
Alcohol and anti-freeze can be used, but both are on the expensive side, and both are toxic to critters.
These days most tire shops use beet juice (Rim Gard/Geo Beet/etc.) when ballasting drive tires. It’s affordable, non-corrosive, and non-toxic.
The new tire for Nanner might get here in time to be installed before the weekend. No big deal if it doesn’t. I replaced the blown hydraulic hose on the little Kubota yesterday so I’m not completely out of business.
I am reasonably certain antifreeze was used in our tractor tire. I’m guessing our tire episode was 12-15 years ago.
I'm feeling like a nap but need to go and clean the garage and back porch for winter. Also need to store the sweet potatoes! (Pictures are from Baker Creek's site!)
Sweet Potato Korean Gold (More of these...long skinnies!)
Sweet Potato Carogold (Only a few this year....Round and plump like most Southern sweet potatoes. )
For immediate family, I am giving foodstuffs and consumables, as usual. Also crocheted dish cloths and if I get ambitious, quilted hot pads. I have the quilted material - just need to sew them up.
I’ve also been looking at Mason Gift Jars. Some cute ideas here - and all over the internet, really.
https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/mason-jar-gift-ideas/
I told all the gals in the family that Beau needs flannel work shirts, socks and t-shirts. I always buy him some series of murder mysteries and all kinds of snack items that will last throughout the winter. I don’t buy ‘snacks’ on a regular basis. ‘Mrs. Santa’ usually gives him clothes from Duluth Trading Company or something from Carhart.
His birthday falls on Thanksgiving some years, so it’s pretty much a ‘present extravaganza’ for him for a whole month, Lucky Duck!
He needs to fire up that fancy smoker! Some smoked fish and meats would make great gifts, too.
Overcast and gray today - rain showers. I had to dig out some warm clothes to wear to run to town this morning - maybe hitting 50, today. I guess that’s tomorrow’s chore - pull out the warm clothes and my UGG Boots! Finally! :)
Got two more beds cleaned out, but it’s been so windy, I didn’t mulch them yet. 6 down - 10 to go! The leaves have hardly started to fall - and the big Maple usually mulches the first two rows of raised beds for me all by herself. Good Girl! :)
Cornish-Jack-o-Lantern-turnip (Ignore him, he's probably a purple top rutabaga.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.