Using liquid ballast in tires
IMPORTANT:Liquid ballast is not preferred in rear tires. Liquid weight greatly increases tire stiffness at lower operating pressures and greatly reduces ride performance.
 
In some cases liquid will be needed in the front tires to achieve the correct weight splits with some implements for field operation and transporting.
 
CAUTION: Installing liquid ballast requires special equipment and training. See your John Deere dealer or tire service store.
 
IMPORTANT: Never fill any tire to more than 90% full. More solution could damage tire.
 
Use of water or calcium chloride solution can be used to provide economical ballast. A mixture of 3.5 lb. of calcium chloride per U.S. gal. (0.42 kg per liter) will not freeze solid above -50 F (-45 C). However, liquid ballast is not recommended because it results in harsh ride, difficulty in handling, spills if flats occur, and when used in rear tires can result in greater susceptibility to power hop.
 
CAUTION: Avoid possible injury due to losing control of tractor. Limit transport speed to 20 mph (32 km/h) when using liquid ballast.
Note:
Use of alcohol as liquid ballast is not recommended. Calcium chloride solution is heavier and more economical.
IMPORTANT: A maximum liquid fill of 40 percent is recommended in rear tires for better tractor performance instead of the previous recommendation of 75 percent fill. Fill tube-type or tubeless tires up to valve level (40 percent full) with valve (A) shown above, in the 4 o'clock position. When putting liquid in either front or rear tires, make sure both front tires have the same amount of liquid fill and/or all rear tires have the same amount of liquid fill.

FRONT TIRE Liquid Weight Per Tire

Tire Size

40% Fill

75% Fill

3.5 lb./gal. (kg)

5.0 lb./gal. (kg)

3.5 lb./gal. (kg)

5.0 lb./gal. (kg)

14.9R30

303 (138)

355 (148)

568 (258)

613 (278)

14.9R34

341 (155)

363 (165)

639 (290)

680 (278)

16.9R38

373 (169)

398 9181)

699 (317)

747 (339)

16.9R30

398 180)

420 (189)

746 (338)

787 (355)

290/90R38

183 (83)

199 (90)

343 (156)

373 (169)

290/95R34

183 (83)

199 (90)

343 (156)

373 (169)

320/85R38

202 (92)

213 (97)

379 (172)

400 (181)

320/80R42

221 (100)

235 (107)

414 (188)

440 (200)

320/85R34

209 (94)

220 (100)

391 (177)

414 (188)

320/85R38

202 (92)

213 (97)

379 (172(

400 (181)

380/80R38

303 (138)

327 (148)

568 (258)

614 (278)

380/85R30

291 (132)

313 (142)

545 (247)

587 (266)

380/85R34

209 (94)

220 (100)

391 (177)

413 (188)

420/85R28

354 (161)

377 (171)

663 (301)

707 (321)

420/85R34

386 (175)

413 (187)

723 (328)

774 (351)

4210/90R30

391 (178)

420 (190)

734 (333)

787 (357)

480/70R28

385 (184)

405 (184)

722 (328)

760 (345)

480/70R30

404 (183)

434 (197)

758 (344)

814 (369)

480/70R34

448 (203)

477 (216)

840 (381)

894 (405)

540/65R34

499 (226)

527 (239)

935 (424)

988 (448)

600/65R28

537 (243)

569 (258)

1006(456)

1067 (484)

600/70R30

676 (307)

718 (326)

1268 (575)

1347 (611)

 

 

REAR TIRE Liquid Weight Per Tire

Tire Size

40% Fill

75% Fill

3.5 lb./gal. (kg)

5.0 lb./gal. (kg)

3.5 lb./gal. (kg)

5.0 lb./gal. (kg)

14.9R46

429 (195)

462 (210)

805 (365)

867 (393)

18.4-42 / 18.4R42

619 (281)

661 (300)

1160 (527)

1240 (563)

18.4R46

701 (318)

747 (339)

1314 (596)

1400 (635)

20.8-38 / 20.8R38

758 (344)

811 (368)

1421 (645)

1521 (690)

20.8R42

802 (364)

853 (387)

1503 (682)

1600 (726)

320/90R50

297 (134)

320 (145)

556 (252)

600 (272)

320/90R54

303 (138)

320 (145)

568 (258)

600 (272)

380/90R50

429 (195)

455 (206)

805 (365)

854 (387)

420/80R46

467 (212)

498 (226)

876 (397)

934 (423)

480/80R42

614 (278)

654 (297)

1148 (521)

1227 (557)

480/80R46

644 (292)

690 (313)

1207 (548)

1294 (587)

480/80R50

676 (307)

725 (329)

1267 (575)

1360 (617)

520/85R38

719 (326)

768 (348)

1349 (612)

1440 (653)

520/85R42

770 (349)

818 (371)

1444 (655)

1534 (696)

520/85R46

827 (375)

882 (400)

1551 (703)

1654 (750)

620/70R42

915 (415)

974 (442)

1716 (779)

1827 (829)

620/70R46

991 (450)

1058 (477)

1858 (843)

1984 (895)

650/85R38

1237 (561)

1316 (597)

2320 (1052)

2467 (1119)

710/70R38

1092 (495)

1159 (526)

2048 (929)

2174 (986)

710/70R42

1231 (558)

1316 (597)

2308 (1047)

2467 (1119)

800/70R38

1433 (650)

1529 (694)

2687 (1219)

2867 (1301)
 
Last Updated : 24-Jul-2013