Best way to counterbalance a FEL - Engineer story problem

[SmellsLikeaGoat]

Ford 2000 (3 cyl) - I use my FEL a lot, have filled rear tires and keep a rotary mower on the back as a counterweight. I also have a lot of soft ground (swampy sand), so I want to keep the tractor light as possible. I also want to keep the weight off the front tires. That means the counterweight should be as far back as possible behind the rear tires.

I plan on getting the water out of the rear tires and hanging a cement block off the 3 point hitch (Cat 1). I really don't want to hang anything out farther than 5' (center of counterbalance mass 5' behind rear tires). How much weight can I comfortably carry back there and can the 3ph handle it?

Part of the question is "How much weight is on my front tires now and what is the minimum needed to steer?"

 

[ccsial]

One advantage to the filled tires is the weight does not increase the axle load. A large weight on the 3PH will.

 

[SmellsLikeaGoat]

I thought about that and while I do like that it keeps me from tipping over with a full bucket, all the weight in and from the bucket is going right on the front axle at about 1 1/2 times the weight in the bucket (2nd class lever). Also the weight in the tires makes me sink. If I move the weight back I can use leverage to reduce my overall weight. If I'm going to teeter totter on the wheels, I would rather it be the back ones than the front.

 

[sparc]

Just a guess but if your going to make the rear axle the fulcrum then
won't you need about 3# of counterbalance for every 1# in the loader
to not increase the weight on the front axle?

The mass in the loader bucket is about 3 times further away from the
rear axle as that counterweight will be.

And 100% of that load in the bucket can not be transfered to the rears anyway,
some of it will still be on the front axle.

Well I guess it could if you get the fronts completely off the ground.

Or am I missing something.

 

[Soundguy]

most of my loader tractors have a cement counterweight onthe back I made from large feed tubs and scrap metal and cement.

you can make it so it is not carried by hyds. IE.. make it so that with lift full down the weight is not on the ground.. thus no tieing up hyd capacity holdignthe weight. a 3 cyl 2000 should be able to carry at least 800# easy.. if you go back though.. it starts to get leverage..

me.. I'd keep it in tight to not hamper maneuverability..