Tractor Ballast Setup Made Easy

One of the important numbers when calculating the right tire inflation pressure for a tractor is axle load. So it stands to reason that before plugging those numbers into a tire inflation table, the tractor needs to be set up with the proper amount of ballast, with the weight split correctly between the front and rear axle, according to Brad Harris, manager of the global field engineering team for Firestone ag tires.

Getting ballast right can be a balancing act: Adding enough weight to ensure enough horsepower gets to the ground to maximize tractor productivity and fuel efficiency while minimizing slippage, but not so much that excess weight and overinflated tires damage the soil with compaction. Ideally, ballast and tire inflation are evaluated and adjusted as needed when changing implements, working speed and soil conditions, too, but time and complexity often get in the way of such fine-tuning.

Traditionally, operators go through a set of manual steps to set up tractor ballast:

• look up the required weight base/target weight and axle weight split for the tractor’s horsepower and type;
• weigh the tractor;
• adjust ballast weights;
• then use the resulting axle loads to calculate the right inflation pressure for the front and rear tires.

The process can be time-consuming, but it cuts down on guesswork and increases efficiency in the field, Harris says.

A Better Way To Set Up Tractor Ballast with Fendt Tractors

Fendt owners can ballast their tractors and set tire pressures much more easily and accurately with the Fendt Grip Assistant system, integrated with the Varioterminal in the cab. Tractor, implement and tire data are stored in the system, where intelligent algorithms and simulation models automate the process of choosing the right ballast and tire inflation.

Before heading to the field, the operator uses the Grip Assistant SpeedSelect mode to select the hitch type, operating conditions, tire manufacturer and dimensions, type of implement, existing ballast and targeted working speed on the Varioterminal screen. The Grip Assistant then computes the optimal front and rear ballast and recommended starting tire pressure for the operation. The operator loads the ballast, and the VarioGrip™ central inflation system puts the right pressure in the tires, ready also to adjust tire inflation up or down to match conditions, on the go, with a touch of the screen.

In BallastSelect mode, the existing ballasting set-up on the tractor in the field is the driving factor, and Grip Assistant calculates the optimal tire pressure to use and recommends the most beneficial working speed range for the defined on-board ballast.