Making a counterbalance for my mx5200...give me your opinions...please

[MechanicalGuy]

So I have a new mx5200 with filled tires and 100lb wheel weights on each rear wheel. I will be using the weight for a small profile counterbalance for mainly gravel and clay dirt fel counterbalance. My initial idea was to put as much scrap metal in the 55 gallon drum as I could fit, and then pour concrete over it to attain 1500lbs. It would be much less expensive and much less hassle to simply fill it will concrete and just get about 800-1000lbs counterbalance.

Knowing what I have and what I plan on doing, will a simple concrete counterbalance work? Or should I go the extra mile and increase the weight with scrap metal at 20 cents a pound?

Here is the beginning;

 

[ning]

Steel is more than three times as dense as concrete, but you'd need to be more concerned about air space / voids when you pull concrete over; a bit of air will remove any advantage quickly.

Personally, unless you know you can get a lot of scrap into the concrete without air, I wouldn't bother.

Consider also that the farther back the weight is, the more effective the counterbalance is.

 

[jeff9366]

So I have a new mx5200 with filled tires and 100lb wheel weights on each rear wheel. I will be using the weight for a small profile counterbalance for mainly gravel and clay dirt fel counterbalance.

800-1,000 pounds counterbalance will be ample for FEL lifts of 2,200 pounds.

With more counterbalance you will only create deeper tire ruts.

I suggest first filling barrel with sand, then adding water in increments, until you find the optimum weight and no more.

 

[CalG]

Cast off brake rotors obtained from most any auto repair shop are a useful source of "heavier than concrete" .

If casting concrete around them vibrate or at least beat on the drum sides to settle the pour.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

800-1,000 pounds counterbalance will be ample for FEL lifts of 2,200 pounds.

With more counterbalance you will only create deeper tire ruts.

I suggest first filling barrel with sand, then adding water in increments, until you find the optimum weight and no more.


IT IS TIME TO ENTER YOUR KUBOTA MX5200 INTO YOUR T-B-N PROFILE TO ELIMINATE READER CONFUSION.

Sounds like great advice. Thanks.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Cast off brake rotors obtained from most any auto repair shop are a useful source of "heavier than concrete" .

If casting concrete around them vibrate or at least beat on the drum sides to settle the pour.

You are absolutely right. I'd forgotten about that! Thanks.

 

[oosik]

Why make something that can only be used as a counterbalance. I have an 1050# rear blade on the 3-point. Get yourself an implement that you will use and put that on the 3-point. The 1050# rear blade plus 1550# of RimGuard in the rear tires keeps me well grounded.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Why make something that can only be used as a counterbalance. .

Cost.


Cost is $100

 

[Turbys_1700]

Why make something that can only be used as a counterbalance. I have an 1050# rear blade on the 3-point. Get yourself an implement that you will use and put that on the 3-point. The 1050# rear blade plus 1550# of RimGuard in the rear tires keeps me well grounded.

Great advise. Yes a good heavy box blade is expensive but I don't know how I would get by without mine or my scrape blade. Excellent attachments.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Why make something that can only be used as a counterbalance. I have an 1050# rear blade on the 3-point. Get yourself an implement that you will use and put that on the 3-point. The 1050# rear blade plus 1550# of RimGuard in the rear tires keeps me well grounded.

I was using my BB as a counterweight but wanted a more compact setup so I did not have to constantly keep an eye behind so as not to whack things with the BB in tight conditions.
I built this unit from scrap steel and leftover concrete for next to nothing. Weighs around 400 lbs
Along with the loaded tires, I can lift a full bucket of wet sand with no tipping and it is much more maneuverable