English 
Spanish 
6 min read
1 comments
Filling tractor tires with water is a common practice, but do you know why? Discover the secret behind this technique used by farmers around the world.
Tractor ballasting is one of the oldest and most effective techniques for optimizing the performance of agricultural TRACTORS. A popular solution is to fill the tires with water, a practice widely adopted in several regions of the world, including Brazil. .
But why do farmers use this technique? What are the advantages, challenges and limitations involved?
We will look in detail at the practice of water ballasting, explaining how it works, the benefits it provides and the care needed to maximize the efficiency of the tractor. We will also address situations in which this solution is not suitable and alternatives available to Brazilian farmers.
The importance of ballast in agricultural tractors
A tractor’s performance depends on factors such as power, stability, and traction. An unbalanced tractor can face difficulties such as excessive tire slippage, wasted energy, and even increased fuel consumption. To solve these problems, ballast becomes essential.
The ballasting concept involves adding weight to the tractor to improve its stability, grip and performance in specific working conditions.
This is usually done using metal weights or by filling the tires with water. The choice between these options depends on the soil conditions, the type of implement attached, and the activities performed.
In Brazil, where many agricultural activities depend on tractors on uneven terrain and diverse soils, ballast is particularly relevant. In situations where the weight of the implement is high or the soil offers little traction, ballast is essential to prevent the tractor from losing efficiency.
How does water ballast work on tractors?
The water ballasting technique involves filling tractor tires with a mixture of water and antifreeze, leaving part of the internal volume for air. This allows the tire to maintain a certain flexibility, which is essential for absorbing impacts and adapting to the terrain.
Step by step guide to ballast with water
Check tire compatibility: Not all tires are designed to be filled with water. Check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that the model you are using is suitable.
Make sure the valves are appropriate: Tires must have specific air/water valves. For tubeless tires, the TR618A valve is used, while for tubed tires, the TR218A valve is recommended.
Position the tractor properly: The tractor should be positioned so that the valve is in a vertical position. This ensures that the tire is filled to 75% of its capacity, leaving the remaining 25% for air.
Deflate the tire: Before adding water, reduce the pressure to about 0,5 bar. This makes filling easier and avoids excessive pressure during the process.
Add antifreeze: Mix antifreeze with water in a proportion of 1/5 of the total volume. This step is especially important in cold regions, where temperatures can drop below freezing.
Start filling out: Connect a ballast pump to the valve and start filling the tire with water. During the process, the air will automatically be expelled.
Pressurize the tire: Once the water reaches 75% of the tire's volume, finish adjusting the air pressure to the recommended level.
This process can take a few hours, depending on the size of the tires and the equipment used.
Benefits
Cost benefit: Water-ballasting is an extremely affordable solution. While metal weights can represent a significant investment, water-ballasting only requires suitable valves, a water supply and antifreeze. This makes it an attractive option for farmers looking to improve the performance of their tractors without breaking the bank.
Better traction: With properly ballasted tires, the tractor distributes its power better on the ground, reducing slippage and increasing efficiency. This is especially useful on slippery terrain or when using heavy implements.
Reduced tire wear: Constant slippage can cause premature tire wear, increasing maintenance costs. With water ballast, the additional weight improves ground grip, reducing slippage and extending tire life.
improved stability: Water ballast lowers the tractor's center of gravity, making it more stable on slopes or when transporting heavy loads. This reduces the risk of tipping over and improves operational safety.
Disadvantages of water ballast tires
Although efficient and economical, the water ballast technique has some limitations that must be considered before its application:
Increase in fuel consumption: The additional weight generated by filling with water increases the effort required to move the tractor, especially on roads or when the implement is not in use. This can lead to higher fuel consumption, impacting operating costs.
Instability at high speeds: Water inside the tires can create a pendulum effect when driving at high speeds. This occurs because the liquid mass moves inside the tire, compromising the tractor's stability when cornering or braking suddenly.
Constant maintenance: With only 25% of the air inside the tire, small air losses can cause large variations in pressure. This requires regular checks to ensure that the tires are always in optimal condition.
Soil compaction: The added weight of tires can increase soil compaction, which is detrimental to some crops. Farmers who prioritize soil protection may need to look for alternatives to water ballast.
Installation time: The process of filling and deflating tires is time-consuming, and can take up to 3 hours for each step. Therefore, it is more suitable for situations of prolonged use than for sporadic work.
Care when applying ballast with water
The water ballasting technique must be used with planning and attention to the following aspects:
- Suitability for work: The application is best suited for operations in which the tractor needs greater stability and traction. For work involving high speed or frequent travel on roads, water ballast may not be the best option.
- Constant monitoring: Tire pressure should be checked regularly to avoid problems caused by variations in the amount of air.
- Long term planning: Since the installation process is time-consuming, it is ideal to plan to use the water ballast for extended periods, such as during the harvest.
Alternatives to water ballast for tractor tires
Although effective in many situations, water ballasting is not the only option available. Farmers can also opt for:
Metal Weights: Weights attached to the tractor's wheels or chassis are a quick and effective solution to improve stability and traction. Although more expensive, they are easy to install and remove as needed.
Specific Liquid Ballast: Some farmers use special liquids that combine weight-bearing and frost-protection properties. These liquids are more expensive, but offer advantages in terms of stability and maintenance.
Advanced Tire Technology: Radial tires with the ability to automatically adjust pressure can reduce the need for additional ballast by adapting to the terrain efficiently.
Water ballast is a practical, economical solution that is widely used by Brazilian farmers. However, its application must be carefully planned to avoid disadvantages such as increased fuel consumption and soil compaction.
Assessing the specific needs of the tractor and working conditions is essential to getting the most out of this technique.
Speaking of filling water to counterweight the tractor wheels, putting water in the tractor tires or putting a metal counterweight on the wheels, both with the same weight, the efficiency would be with water because without water in the tire and placing a metal counterweight, the tire needs to work with more pressure because when you put heavy implements in the tractor's hydraulics, it deflates, damaging the tire. When you add water, it makes a lot of difference, because with water you can work with less pressure, this makes the tire work with all the tire's claws on the ground, and putting the same weight of water on a metal counterweight makes the tire bulge, which means the tire's claws don't grip the ground completely, it skids much more. I personally take the air out and fill it with as much water as possible.