Wheel weights

[dwilso6]

I'd like to get a set of rear wheel weights for my Sovereign 18H. Will any 12" garden tractor wheel weights work? Thanks!

-Dustin

[Bill725]

Yes, they are normally 50 lbs. each. I prefer cast iron over plastic. For non Simplicity/AC, I prefer the Bolens over the John Deere. Be ready to pay for them, some how cast iron is expensive.

[dwilso6]

Great-thank you.

[RickS]

You didn’t ask, but if you use longer bolts or all thread you can double up the wheel weights.

For many years I ran two wheel weights on each rear tire of my Legacy.

[dwilso6]

On a related note, has anyone added windshield washer fluid to their rear tires? I'm curious as to how many gallons each tire could hold...

[PhanDad]

From a previous @dhoadley post:

"Loading" the tires with fluid is pretty easy. I use windshield washer fluid and can fit 4 or 5 gallons in the rears. Lay on their side, stem up. Break the bead at one spot and wedge something in to hold it open and pour until full. Remove the wedge and fill with air. 30 - 40 lbs. per of added weight.  

 

[Bill725]

https://counterweightblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/English-Tire-Fill-Chart-Counterweight-Blue.pdf

[Brettw]

20 minutes ago, PhanDad said:

"Loading" the tires with fluid is pretty easy.

And, much easier on the drivetrain.  The rotational torque to spin a cast wheel weight from a dead stop, and to stop that rotational force puts strain on the drivetrain.  Liquid in the tires is not mechanically fastened to the drivetrain components and therefore does not add nearly the torque load on the system.

[dwilso6]

Thanks much, all! Very helpful-will attempt when it warms up some. Brrr in Maryland.

[RickS]

You can purchase a fitting that screws onto the valve stem to fill the tires with fluid. However breaking the bead would be much faster. 

[JoeT&DMaker]

I bought a couple Simplicity wheel weights 30 years ago and found they didn't make much difference. I think they were 25 Lbs. ea.

So I came up with  this idea. 2 pins....... quick detachable... Simplicity.  I made a mold for the concrete blocks and welded up the handles. They weigh about 80 Lbs ea.

Joe.......

[acken]

Great job on the weight bracket, and concrete weight.  One drawback to adding that ballast to the frame/hitch is all that weight is added to the axle bearings, or bushings.

[JoeT&DMaker]

51 minutes ago, acken said:

Great job on the weight bracket, and concrete weight.  One drawback to adding that ballast to the frame/hitch is all that weight is added to the axle bearings, or bushings.

Yes. I know that but I never found any specs on maximum weight for that axel.

I've pulled a few things around that had about 300 lbs. of tongue weight.

It does make it easier to steer when the blower is hanging off the front.

I can use one block if I want.

Joe....

[RickS]

It isn’t one to one, but every pound added behind the rear wheels reduces the amount of weight on the front tires. 

[Brettw]

4 hours ago, RickS said:

It isn’t one to one, but every pound added behind the rear wheels reduces the amount of weight on the front tires. 

Perhaps every pound mounted behind the rear axle, but simply adding weight to the rear wheels does not reduce weight on the front end I don't believe.

[JoeT&DMaker]

29 minutes ago, Brettw said:

Perhaps every pound mounted behind the rear axle, but simply adding weight to the rear wheels does not reduce weight on the front end I don't believe.

You are correct.

 

Joe....

[Brettw]

1 hour ago, Brettw said:

Perhaps every pound mounted behind the rear axle, but simply adding weight to the rear wheels does not reduce weight on the front end I don't believe.

Except when you are at WOT and launch in the 1/4 mile.  Then the extra weight and traction on the rear wheels lightens up the front end a bit.  🤡

[Bill725]

On 2/9/2026 at 8:44 PM, JoeT&DMaker said:

Yes. I know that but I never found any specs on maximum weight for that axel.

I would guess 500 lbs. the same as the forklift capacity.

[RickS]

Adding weights to the rear wheels changes the center of gravity and makes the tractor more stable.  There are pro and cons to added wheel weights. 
 

Adding weights behind the rear axle does reduce the weight on the front axle. The rear tires act like a  fulcrum or pivot point. Again there are pros and cons to adding weight behind the rear axle. 
 

Tractors have four contact points two front wheels and two rear wheels.  So when weight is added behind the rear axle, that added weight shifts or transfer weight from the front axle to the rear axle.  

[RickS]

17 hours ago, Brettw said:

Except when you are at WOT and launch in the 1/4 mile.  Then the extra weight and traction on the rear wheels lightens up the front end a bit.  🤡

Brett have you any experience with this?

 

[Brettw]

3 hours ago, RickS said:

Brett have you any experience with this?

Not with my garden tractors.  At least not deliberately..........

[CarlH]

Besides Rick's diiscusion about various pro's and con's, there is another factor: the chassis/snowblower configuration.  The large frame tractors (Sovereigns) are what what I consider short-coupled and don't seem to care where the weight is in the rear.  The long-coupled tractors ( Sunstars and Legacy's) have the snowblowers cantilevered MUCH further in front of the front axle.  As much as a foot further forward. This takes considerably more weight off the rear.  On these I have found weight behind the rear axle is more helpful.

Edited yesterday at 01:01 AM by CarlH