1 Tractor Load Capacity

[Caleb Nelands]

Theextent of the load carried by your trailer certainly has a direct impact on your tyres, but it can also lead to risks with respect to regulations, which generally limit the total weight of the load authorised on the road.

The disadvantage of high inflation pressure in the fields is that the tyre will sink deeper into the ground rather than flattening out on the soil surface. Its footprint is reduced, and the lugs have a smaller contact patch to grip the earth. More earth accumulates in front of the tyre when it sinks deeper, which increases rolling resistance.

You can avoid compaction by reducing the global weight of your implements, or if this is not possible, by reducing inflation pressure with VF technology tyres which spread the weight over a larger contact area with the ground, or by opting for larger tyres which can carry more load without having to increase inflation pressure.

Excessive load requires overinflation of the tyres which lose their suppleness with the increase in inflation pressure. The self-cleaning capacity is reduced, and earth accumulates between the lugs, which leads to an increase in slippage.

If the rear axle bears most of the load transfer linked to the weight of the implement, your entire hitch is unbalanced. The front axle will have a tendency to lift up, leading to handling difficulties, with less responsive steering, above all in wet conditions.

In addition, the excess load on the rear axle is likely to lead to rear wheel slip.

VF (Very high Flexion) tyres are produced on a different technological basis than standard tyres. Their internal structure allows them to flatten out more without causing damage. They are more resistant to flexion, which means that they can carry 40% more load compared to a standard tyre.

They are therefore a good fit for work with wide, heavy implements. Using these tyres reduces the number of passages across the land, or the number of trips back and forth for transport by road during the harvest, for example.

With this type of tyre, in a large size, you will considerably increase your contact patch with the ground, allowing you to work with heavy implements without having to increase inflation pressure or add large amounts of additional weights. These tyres can work at an inflation pressure of between 0.6 bar and 0.8 bar, helping you improve your traction capacity while preserving your soil from compaction.

To learn more and boost your farm's profits, Bridgestone-Agriculture is offering you a free, detailed white paper that explains the essential role your agricultural tyres play in your productivity.

This information is intended only to make you aware of the technical and functional aspects of agricultural tires and their use. It does not allow you to make a judgment or a definitive conclusion on a given problem. Only your agricultural tire expert is able to make a technical assessment and take a final decision, case by case.

1Lift capacity values have been verified according to a testing process standard set by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). The increase is measured at the point where the loader is 19.7 in (500 mm) ahead of the pivot. The increase in 120R Lift Capacity was measured at 24%. The 220R lift capacity increase, 40%. The 300E lift capacity increase, 34%. Results may vary based on testing criteria and usage.

Is a general rule of thumb to limit your pulling weight to that of the Tractor? Using dry level pulling conditions. Not at a tractor pull but with implements in field conditions. I know this is somewhat vague. How many bushels could I pull with a 656 gas farmall in a wagon? Thanks guys.

Pulling it and stopping it are two different things. I used to use a 7140 that weighed about 22k to pull a grain cart that had 56k of grain in it plus the weight of the cart, granted it was only in the field and never on the road.

Common sense does go a long way. I have done things in the past that I would NOT recommend to anyone else. As a kid i rode many a wagon load of hay with my uncle pulling his 18 ft wagons stacked by hand full with a TO 30 Ferguson on the road. I personally have pulled more than once 2 gravity wagons loaded to the hilt with ear corn behind an M on the road in high gear. Would NEVER recommend that or do it again though. At the time though an M was the biggest tractor we had and the corn needed moved. Of course at the same time we were picking corn with the M running a 327 New Idea picker on some pretty steep hills that it's a wonder we never jack knifed the whole setup on the muddy and sometimes frozen fall ground. When the picker alone was heavy and then the loaded wagon behind it yet pushing was more than the picker. The worst thing we ever did was once I saw dad hook 3 loaded gravity wagons of ear corn behind our 43 H and pull them from the field to the crib. It was a level route around from the field to crib and it was a 3rd gear drive but the ole girl did it but I wouldn't try it again.

If ya got hills like me 150 bushel of wet corn behind a 656 will definetly send ya to the bottom in a hurry! A 200 bushel wagon a 1486 wont drag straight up the end of some fields! If your on flat 200 bushel on a 656 be fine!

I pulled them out to the cornfield the evening before with the "M" to fill them.....when I went back with a bigger tractor the next morning, I intended to pull them about 20 rods down the field to a flat spot in a waterway to switch, but they had settled overnight and the M couldn't move them.

I agree 200%. Ive gone down a hill like an idiot with 110 bushel of wheat behind an H. By the bottom there was smoke flying from the tires, breaks, and I can assure you going down hill is a much bigger issue than up hill

Doc Evil is right on the money. I haul about 45000 lbs behind the 7120 and 7130 tractors. Our land is reasonably flat and there is only one not too steep hill on pavement to get to the elevators. The Magnums weigh in around 20000 lbs with calcium in the rear wheels. Any thing more than 45000 lbs and you are asking for trouble. And I saw that happen two years ago to an old gentleman on a small dirt road hill. He was probably 3 to 4 times the weight of the tractor and he dumped the corn and ditched the tractor. The tractor was a write off. He was lucky he wasn't hurt.

Like others have said, you can easily pull 2-3 times the tractor weight, but you have to use a lot of common sense. I remember my grandpa talking about hauling 100 bu of wheat to town with his Farmall A. He said that he was in 1st gear up and down the hills, and didn't recommend doing it again. That was probably 4 times the tractor weight and we do have some hills. Before I had a driver's license I hauled countless loads to town with the 1086 + 2-250 wagons, occasionally with a partially loaded third. A few times all three were full. The wagons would gross around 45,000 as I recall. I think the tractor was 13-14K. Needless to say I grew up quick, you cannot be foolish behind the wheel. My wife says that I didn't really have a childhood, but I thought I was in heaven.

We could get around 560 bushels on these. Definitely not a job for a inexperienced driver. One hill even caught me off guard. I figured pulling the TA would be enough but it wasn't. Ended up in high 3rd, TA back, and thankful I took time to put the duals on as the main tires aren't the best for traction.

I am pleased to submit this Report to Congress, prepared in accordance with Section 32802 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) legislation, compiling State truck size and weight limit laws in force as of October 1, 2012.

This report addresses laws related to the National Highway System (NHS) of which the Interstate Highway System roadways are a subset. The States determine laws and regulations affecting truck size and weight on portions of the NHS that are not also a part of the Interstate System.

Current truck size and weight standards are a blend of Federal and State regulations and laws. Federal law controls maximum gross vehicle weights and axle loads on the Interstate System. Federal limits are 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. There are also Federal standards for length and width on the National Network (NN). The NN comprises the Interstate and certain roadways designated by the States. There are no Federal vehicle height limits.

The report demonstrates that all States have laws in place to ensure compliance with Federal size and weight requirements. The report also shows that in some instances, States have laws that allow sizes and weights on non-Interstate highways in excess of the current Federal truck size and weight limits. This is an expected finding, as State laws control maximum gross vehicle sizes and weights on non-Interstate highways, including the NHS.

I have sent a similar letter to the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel free to call me.

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