L4060 Front End Weight Needed When Mowing?

[LPSteinmetz]

I am still waiting for the arrival of my new Kubota L4060 that I ordered in early November. While waiting for it, I have been doing a lot of research and have read quite a few threads about mowing with the FEL removed. Unlike most of the threads that discuss mowing hilly property with weights, I will be mowing flat Texas Gulf Coast terrain with a Land Pride 6' rotary cutter and was wondering if anyone with an L4060 or similar weighted tractor has found that they need front end weights when mowing without the FEL attached. I have zero hills on my property and only some slight undulating terrain here and there.

I know all tractors are different and no two properties are alike so don't expect a definitive answer. Thanks in advance.

 

[TripleR]

It will depend on the weight of your rotary cutter, LP makes several models, mine is a RCR2672 at about 1100 pounds while the RCR1272 is only 564 pounds.

The FE is really easy to remove, so your best bet if no one with the same tractor responds is just try it, I can mow with my L5740HSTC and cutter without FEL on flatland with no issues.

 

[RoyJackson]

In my experience, the only time front weights are (sometimes) necessary is when lifting/transporting the mower or cutter. I have 4 (42 lb) front weights, but they weren't really needed with the finishing mower...they did help when transporting the rotary cutter.
So, I'd try it with front weight and see how it goes...

 

[Grandad4]

Well, mine's not an L4060 but it's very similar. With an 800 lb cutter, mine does not need the loader or weights in front, even on hilly land. Unless you're going to use a "heavy duty" cutter that's 1,000+ lbs, you should be fine and even then it would probably not be an issue on basically level ground.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have the L3940 Grand with LandPride RCR1272 rotary cutter. Here in central Indiana, I mow mostly flat land. No weights, no ballast, and I prefer not to have the FEL installed so I can see better and maneuver easier. Philip.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

It will depend on the weight of your rotary cutter, LP makes several models, mine is a RCR2672 at about 1100 pounds while the RCR1272 is only 564 pounds.

The FE is really easy to remove, so your best bet if no one with the same tractor responds is just try it, I can mow with my L5740HSTC and cutter without FEL on flatland with no issues.

As I posted on a new thread I started, I finally received my new tractor yesterday. Man, what a beauty...never thought I would say that about a tractor.

Your advice is probably what I will end up doing...as they say in the Coast Guard (and Navy)...Trial by Fire!

 

[LPSteinmetz]

In my experience, the only time front weights are (sometimes) necessary is when lifting/transporting the mower or cutter. I have 4 (42 lb) front weights, but they weren't really needed with the finishing mower...they did help when transporting the rotary cutter.
So, I'd try it with front weight and see how it goes...

Thanks...I will play it by ear initially. I didn't order weights so no money is spent yet if they are not needed.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

It will depend on the weight of your rotary cutter, LP makes several models, mine is a RCR2672 at about 1100 pounds while the RCR1272 is only 564 pounds.

The FE is really easy to remove, so your best bet if no one with the same tractor responds is just try it, I can mow with my L5740HSTC and cutter without FEL on flatland with no issues.

Well, mine's not an L4060 but it's very similar. With an 800 lb cutter, mine does not need the loader or weights in front, even on hilly land. Unless you're going to use a "heavy duty" cutter that's 1,000+ lbs, you should be fine and even then it would probably not be an issue on basically level ground.

I got the Land Pride RCF2772. According to the spec sheet, it weighs 1072 pounds. As mentioned above, I guess I won't know till I give it a shoot. My property has a little wave to it in spots (no more than a gradual 6" to 12") so I am hoping that I won't need to buy weights. I'm not certain how much they cost but I still have a few other things that I would like to purchase before my wife bars me from the check book.

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on your new tractor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loMgylltsh8

 

[LPSteinmetz]

Congratulations on your new tractor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loMgylltsh8

Thank you. Also, thanks for the video...doesn't look that difficult after watching it.

 

[TripleR]

Thank you. Also, thanks for the video...doesn't look that difficult after watching it.

It is surprisingly easy, we owned BXs before our 5740 and M8540, so we learned on the BX which made the others far less intimidating.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

If I was to go with weights, will they work on the front grille guard that was included with the loader package? The operator's manual says to add them to the "bumper."

 

[RoyJackson]

If I was to go with weights, will they work on the front grille guard that was included with the loader package? The operator's manual says to add them to the "bumper."

A picture would help. The weight bracket, if installed, should be below the grill guard. On Deeres, it stays on the tractor even if the loader is removed.

The picture below is of a lawn tractor weight bracket. However, it'll give you an idea what you should be looking for...

 

[LPSteinmetz]

A picture would help. The weight bracket, if installed, should be below the grill guard. On Deeres, it stays on the tractor even if the loader is removed.

The picture below is of a lawn tractor weight bracket. However, it'll give you an idea what you should be looking for...

View attachment 452399

Thanks...I'll take a picture but without even heading out to the shop I know that there is nothing as substantial on the front of my tractor as what ou show in your picture.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

Here is a picture of the front end of my tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

Here is a picture of the front end of my tractor.

I think your bracket could handle 3 or 4 front weights. I think the bracket is robust enough for 4, but may not be wide enough.
Does that bracket and guard stay with the tractor when the loader is removed? Actually, it looks like the loader is already off.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

I think your bracket could handle 3 or 4 front weights. I think the bracket is robust enough for 4, but may not be wide enough.
Does that bracket and guard stay with the tractor when the loader is removed? Actually, it looks like the loader is already off.

The guard stays on the tractor when the loader is off. Due to shop space constraints right now I have the loader raised about 3 ft and blocked...once I get everything better organized I won't need to do this.

My manual says that the max. for front weights is 25 kg x 7 pieces (386 lbs.).

 

[RoyJackson]

My manual says that the max. for front weights is 25 kg x 7 pieces (386 lbs.).

I don't think 7 (25 kg) weights would fit on that bracket..maybe 3 or 4 (4 would be tight). I also think 3 or 4 would be quite adequate for your needs though.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

I don't think 7 (25 kg) weights would fit on that bracket..maybe 3 or 4 (4 would be tight). I also think 3 or 4 would be quite adequate for your needs though.

Thanks...I'll try it without weights and see how it goes from there.

 

[DFB]

We have the those issues with the JD4320 and a Woods 60" BB at work. I am very happy operating it with the loader on but they don't like us operating the loader in the orchard if its not absolutely necessary so it is often removed. If you lift the cutter and head up one of the hills...wheelie. Like Roy Jackson advised in post #3 keeping the cutter down in transport will keep the unloaded front end down too

We could benefit from using some front end weights.