3 pt ballast build

[erparis]

Have a Bobcat CT 335 with FEL. Definitely needs a weight on rear for grapple use. I have found a scrap piece of heavy wall tubing that I think will work very well. It is 24" OD x 19 1/2" ID x 17 1/2" long. So weighs in the 700# range. I plan on plasma cutting 3/4" plates to weld in each end. I will drill the center of each plate for the lower link pins of the 3pt hitch arms. This will get me in the 800 # range. 12" above the arms in lowest postion, 12" below the arms just off the ground. I think this will give me the greatest VCG advantage.
Is there any need to fit a clevis for the upper link arm? Anything I have missed on htis concept?
Thanks, Richard

 

[VroomVroom]

I'm not an expert...I was thinking so you will drill the plates and the drilled holes will be axially inline with the center of your heavy pipe? If so, the only thing I could see in respect to not using a top link would be that the drum will want to rotate from time to time and it could wear the pins out faster. Easy fix if it does start to happen though. Where did you ever get a pipe that heavy?

 

[erparis]

Correct. Helps to work in a shipyard that has excess heavy material.
Richard