How many wheel weights

[Keith R 31]

What do you guys think is to much ballast. I just purchased chains that I will install. Also need one more weight to complete my suitcase set!

[moe1965 774]

I have about 50 lbs on each wheel on a 854 and chains and that thing is a beast when it comes  to pushing snow. I have more of a hard time getting traction on the front to steer with a load of snow up front.  I usually  lift up a little on the blade when im in a turn and it gives me some down pressure so I can direct the snow where I want to go. I haven't tried bird seed for traction yet but I'll give it a try. Lol

Edited December 22, 2025 by moe1965

[ri702bill 11,145]

Welcome!

OK, my ...

Weight evenly distributed in or on the rear wheels is preferred. Are your tires fluid filled?? Fluid in the tire is perfectly centered..

Next, a set of inside and outside weights are preferred over what I see on yours. Your two sets of outer weights are creating an overhung condition that are easy to get caught up on objects. Added weight on the tractor frame is effective, but not preferred.

All this concern is due to the Unidrive outer axle bearings - overdo it and you are setting them up for premature failure. Again, my 

[ri702bill 11,145]

5 minutes ago, moe1965 said:

I have about 50 lbs on each wheel on a 854 and chains and that thing is a beast when it comes  to pushing snow. I have more of a hard time getting traction on the front to steer with a load of snow up front.  I usually  lift up a little on the blade when im in a turn and it gives me some down pressure so I can direct the snow where I want to go

Moe - front weights, and your choice of tire tread help that out. I run AG tires & 25 lb. weights up front.

 

[Achto 30,857]

 

I run tires from a walk behind snow blower on the front, turf tires with chains on the back and no added weight on either end. Very seldom have any issues pushing snow.

 

 

Different type of plowing. I have a 50lb wheel weight on the right rear wheel, 120lbs of wheel weights on the left rear wheel, and 50lbs hanging out in front of the tractor. I've pulled this plow many miles with very little issue.

 

 

Weight is helpful, too much can cause mechanical issues. Some thing has to give, if the tires don't give something else eventually will.

Edited December 22, 2025 by Achto

[ebinmaine 77,080]

I am in the, more weight the better, camp.

All four oversized tires that are all fluid filled. In fluid alone I have over 250 lb pushing down.

Steel weights on the outside in the back.

2 link ice chains for rear traction. 

 

[oldlineman 1,638]

I agree with Achto that too much weight may cause something mechanical to let go, a little tire slip is not a bad thing. I have a 1979 c-101 with (turf tires and 2 link chains) (best combo in my opinion for snow) 80 lbs on each rear wheel and # 40 chain on fronts for steering. A 10" cement block filled with cement, (weight unknown) on rear and have zero problem pushing as much snow as the plow can handle. It has been set up this way for 40 plus years with no mechanical problems, and has moved tons of western Pa snow ( Laurel Highlands). Bob

[pfrederi 19,796]

Weight and traction aids and tires are highly dependent on what you have to plow.  Eric has success with loaded big tires.  i prefer narrow old 6.00 x 12s with chains and weights. I have never had the same success as others with no weights and just aggressive tires.  again depends on your surfaces   you have to experiment ...

[peter lena 9,715]

@KeithRogers did you  drain / change the  trans oil ?  regularly  check mine  on my  tractors , always top off tank ,   sta bil fuel treatment  , engine oil  , statis , that trans drain  , should also include a  drive around  with a  flushing agent , like hi  mileage  ATF  fluid  and put some time / miles on it  , use every gear and range , also  raise up front on jack stands for  more  drainage , new shift boot ? just regular  maint for me , no issues  or problems , start  a regular  look / see  for  anything  , ex  rust  running out of a  neglected  movement point ?  penetrating oil  spray first  , for creeping , like aerosol  red grease , ex tube for detail spray , have no  lubrication starved movement points , pete

[peter lena 9,715]

@oldlineman  love that type of plowing , experimented with  MOWER GUARD  . GRAPHITE SPRAY  ON MY  PLOW BLADE , last  summer  ?  let the hot sun  bake it on , forgot all about it , till recent  snow plowing , the immediate  response I got was the SNOW BLADE SLIDE OFF  . SEAMED TO BARELY LOAD THE BLADE ,  looking things over  , there was no snow stuck on the blade , regularly  BACK PLOW , to my farthest  edge  , that gives me  a place to plow to , thats empty . if I were to try it  now , would use a heat lamp  on cleaned blade ,  made to protect mower decks , made by slip plate  , might even spray  my  snow bower  walker  . pete   

[Keith R 31]

Thanks for the input there is a 2 stage on the front of that 520hc. I’m really enjoying it. Having some small problems but getting there! Loosing spark occasionally that I will soon remedy and general maintenance. 

[Keith R 31]

Thanks for the input there is a 2 stage on the front of that 520hc. I’m really enjoying it. Having some small problems but getting there! Loosing spark occasionally that I will soon remedy and general maintenance. Are the rear suitcase weights rare or hard to come by?

[ebinmaine 77,080]

3 hours ago, pfrederi said:

. I have never had the same success as others with no weights and just aggressive tires.  

 

Same here. I've tried AGs with no chains. NEVER AGAIN.  

We have just enough tilt to the area being plowed that there's no  "bite"  without chains.  

[ebinmaine 77,080]

2 hours ago, Keith R said:

Are the rear suitcase weights rare or hard to come by?

 

Depends on the brand and area of the country. 

[Keith R 31]

I’m not sure of who made the weights they are unmarked, but the bracket is wheel horse!

[sqrlgtr 2,073]

I've always had ag tires in back with tri ribs on front loaded with rimgaurd for weight. I do run chains sometimes (when I had dedicated wheels/tires set up for chains) and it does make a big difference but really have not had any trouble without them, just have to make sure I push a clear lane on first pass so to be sure I can get back up the hills . I can see where a lot more weight might be needed with a blower on front though. IMO too much weight can be a handicap in certain situations. just my .

[Keith R 31]

Edited December 22, 2025 by Keith R
Just cropped out a screenshot!

[Ed Kennell 44,667]

11 hours ago, oldlineman said:

(turf tires and 2 link chains) (best combo in my opinion for snow

Second that, loaded turfs with 70 lb wheel weights wrapped with 2 link V-Bar chains and 100 lb on the rear hitch.

 

 

 

 

[953 nut 63,981]

On 12/22/2025 at 6:51 AM, ri702bill said:

Your two sets of outer weights are creating an overhung condition that are easy to get caught up on objects.

If you were to catch an immovable object with those weights it could very well brake a hub. Fluid filled tires with chains and 50 pounds on each wheel will get the job done nicely, Mu driveway is fairly steep and that is all I have ever used.

[sqrlgtr 2,073]

13 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

could very well brake a hub

Or worse 

[squonk 45,379]

Can you post a pic of one of those suitcase weights and tell me how much they weigh individually?  I may have the same set here. I don't know if I would be willing to part with just 1 as I would have to go out and see how many I actually have. I would most likely want to sell them as a set but if I have 5 of them I could let 1 go. Haven't had eyes on them in years. 

[Keith R 31]

I think they are 25 lbs I’ll get one on a scale soon!

[adsm08 4,155]

I don't even own weights. I just have some chains and they get the job done.

[squonk 45,379]

I did have those weights. But sold them to the late Waldo a couple years back. They were a common weight sold through many retailers.

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2025 by squonk

[Keith R 31]

The search continues. Thankyou!