WHEEL WEIGHT MOUNTING PATTERNS AND HOLE PATTERNS
Tractor Wheel Weight Mounting Information
Questions About Fitment? CONTACT PRODUCT SUPPORT
View the Mounting Pattern Tutorial on Youtube.
Most wheel weights mount with either a 3-hole or 4-hole mounting pattern, regardless of the number of mounting holes in the wheel.
Mounting Patterns (Hole Patterns) are simply the method used to assure the mounting holes in the wheel weight will line up correctly to the mounting holes in the wheel. Each wheel (with very rare exceptions) will have one (or more) hole patterns that are used to mount the wheel weight(s). Each correct wheel weight will have one or more corresponding hole patterns to match the hole pattern available in the wheel.
If you have 3 equal distance mounting holes in your wheel, you have a 3-hole pattern. If you have 6 equal distance mounting holes in your wheel, you have a 3-hole patttern. If you have 4 equal distance mounting holes in your wheel, you have a 4-hole pattern. If you have 8 equal distance mounting holes in your wheel, you have a 4-hole pattern.
Mounting patterns are described as:
Number of Mounting Holes in Wheel@Distance Between Each Mounting Hole in Inches
If you have 6 equal distance mounting holes measure from one mounting hole, skip a hole, to the next mounting hole. This will give you the distance of your 3-hole pattern.
If you have 8 equal distance mounting holes, measure from one mounting hole, skip a hole, to the next mounting hole. This will give you the distance of your 4-hole pattern.
See Chord Length Measurement Below
Note: Generally, wheel weights DO NOT mount to the lugs (studs) of the wheel. While there are a few rare occurrences of weights utilizing the studs and lug nuts to mount, this is not the most common method. Wheels that do not have wheel weight mounting holes (commonly seen on smaller equipment) are generally not designed to accept wheel weights. We DO NOT advocate drilling wheels in order to install weights. If your wheel does not have wheel weight mounting holes, or if you believe the correct weight for your model uses the lugs (studs) to mount, please CONTACT PRODUCT SUPPORT before placing your order.
It is now common to see equipment manufacturers describe mounting patterns only by BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) or its equivalent PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter). Unfortunately, this specification leaves out some critical data, known to the manufacturer but often unknown to the purchaser. They often leave out the number of equally spaced mounting holes. The BCD/PCD mounting specification for a wheel with 3 mounting holes can be exactly the same specification for a wheel with 4 mounting holes. Obviously, a wheel weight with a 4-hole pattern will not mount to a wheel with a 3-hole pattern. The BCD/PCD specification alone will NOT enable a person to determine the correct mounting pattern on their equipment.
Chord Length Measurement
We prefer to use the far more accurate (and industry standard) method of describing chord length. Chord length is simply the straight-line distance between two points on a curve. In this case, the straight-line distance between the center of one mounting hole to the center of the next mounting hole.
For example; a 4-hole pattern with 11 1/2 inches between mounting holes would be listed as 4@11 1/2"
Number of Mount Holes@Distance Between Each Mounting Hole
Red Line in Example is 11 1/2"
Pattern= 4@11 1/2"
IMPORTANT NOTE: A tractor weight that has a different mounting hole pattern than the tractor wheel will never work. That said, many weights have the same mounting hole pattern. Just because a weight has the same mounting pattern as your tractor wheel, it may or may not fit. The Overall Diameter as well as the Inner Diameter and shape of the weight may prevent proper fitment. When in doubt, CONTACT CUSTOMER SUPPORT before placing an order.
Wheel weights usually have mounting pattern holes to mount the weight to the wheel and additional holes used to stack additional wheel weights, as shown in the 3-hole pattern weight below. Not all wheel weights are stackable, but those that will stack usually have additional holes to allow for mounting the next (stacking) weight.
Some weights also have more than one mounting pattern for wheels. This is so the same weight can be used on different wheel types. The WT512 wheel weight shown below has two mounting patterns for wheels. 1 pattern is 4@9 1/2", for wheels with that corresponding pattern, and 1 pattern is 4@11 3/8" for wheels with that corresponding pattern. This weight has also has additional slots for stacking.
Some models have more than one wheel weight mounting pattern in the wheel. This is so that different types of weights can be used for differing applications and allows the same wheel to be used on various models of equipment.
Wheel weights generally use either a 3 hole mounting pattern or a 4 hole mounting pattern to attach to the wheel. Wheels with 6 equally spaced mounting holes are really two 3 hole mounting patterns and often allow for mounting weights on both sides of the rim.
Many rims use square holes to mount weights. Square holes usually require carriage bolts as an aid to installation. Four or six square holes are common on many utility tractors. This does not mean the correct weight will also have square holes.
Wheel weights come in a variety of mounting patterns, sizes and weights. We answer these types of questions everyday, please CONTACT PRODUCT SUPPORT and we will be happy to discuss your requirements and offer our best recommendation for your application.
WHEEL DIAMETER, TIRE AND TREAD TYPE
Wheel and Tire Decoders
Questions about Fitment? CONTACT PRODUCT SUPPORT
Your wheel diameter can often be determined simply from reading the tire size information printed on the sidewall of your tire. A minimum wheel diameter is often required for some wheel weights. A wheel that has a 28" diameter will sometimes be able to use a heavier single weight than would a 24" diameter wheel on the same tractor model. You must still verify your mounting hole pattern in order to choose the correct wheel weight for your model.
Tire and Tread Types:
Tractor Weights and Ballast Weights are designed to enhance the efficiency of your machine by increasing traction, controlling slippage, providing stability, and improving the handling of your equipment. Adding fluid to tires instead of (or together with) wheel weights has both pros and cons. Fluid as ballast usually performs well in bias ply tires but is less effective in radial tires. Repairs of fluid filled tires is more expensive than air filled tires. Wheel weights are more versatile and hold their value over time. OEM equipment manufacturers and tire manufacturers rarely recommend fluid in tires.
R1 Tires are the predominant agriculture tire. They are usually more narrow than other types of tires and help focus the weight of the tractor to increase traction. A variation (R1W) tires are used for wet or soggy conditions. Wheel weights work very well with both of these tread types.
R2 Tires have a tread depth usually twice as deep as R1 tires. These are often used in very wet conditions like rice paddies. Wheel weights, depending on the intended application, may improve or detract from the performance of this type of tire.
R3 Tires are usually known as turf tires. They are wider than the R1 or R2 tires and have shallow tread depth for use on lawns and other conditions where leaving tire marks or tracks would be undesirable. The tire spreads the weight over a greater surface area and wheel weights often work very well on these machines.
R4 Tires are usually known as industrial tires. They are designed for use on hard surfaces. The tread depth and lug spacing usually falls between R1 tires and R3 tires. They are very common on models with front-end loaders and excel at carrying heavy loads over hard ground. Wheel weights work very well with these types of tires and provide the required ballast to help maximize the efficiency of loaders.
