BX2660 FEL

[FSE]

My FEL came in so the dealer came by and picked up my BX to install it and is going to bring it back Friday. In the mean while I am trying to think of a good way to counter balance the FEL load. I know I can put on a BB or load the tires but I really don't want to go that way if I don't have to. I have an old empty beer keg that was given me and I thought about putting a 7/8” rod thru the middle and filling it with cement and then put it on the 3pt hitch. Do you think this will work or is a good idea or is it trouble in the making?

 

[Deerlope]

Fluid in the tires is the best because that way the weight is not on the tractor suspension. The beer keg will work and will cost less. Make up some kind of a hitch to entend outside of the keg just in case you need to hook onto something.

 

[AHNC]

Rather than using concrete or mortar mix I'd suggest putting a hose bib on it and filling it with water. 8.33lbs/gal. the problem with the concrete is that once you fill the keg you then have to deal with the weight. With water you can at least drain it and move it. Then again, moving heavy things is why you bought a tractor

 

[BotaBX24er]

Just filling the tires won't be enough. Using the keg is no different than a BB (just a little less out of your wallet), so I would say go ahead and agree that filling it with water would be better but then you would have to worry about rust

 

[TripleR]

I went with wheel weights as I prefer them to fluid and not much difference in cost. I agree, while you can haul stuff on flat ground with fluid or weights, you have to be very careful and I wouldn't recommend it. A keg/barrel or some such will work with sand, water, rock, cement etc.

 

[radioman]

the keg barrel could work. isn't made of aluminum? If you fill with water, I'd be worried about the hole you made enlarging and eventually rip. To be honest, I have no idea how thick the metal is. if it was filled with concrete, then nothing to worry about. IF you go the concrete route, think about how you can make it a bit more useful. do you want to add a plastic tube in center for holding garden tools? Do you need to tow trailers often ? then add a flat bar. Whatever you do- make sure you rig up something for the top link bar to attach to, otherwise the keg is gonna swing back and forth alot and hit something.

Really- I have fluid in my rear tires for ballast and they make a world of a difference then without on my BX. I used BX for 2 years without fluid and then added them and I love it. never again without it. If your tractor is ALREADY at the dealer, call them to see if they can add rimgaurd or windsheild fluid. I wouldn't add calcuim cloride since its on a homeowners lot and most people take pride in thier lawns. if you get a leak in rear tire, you will get a bald spot. That's why I prefer rimgaurd. won't hurt anything.

It won't hurt anything for making a concrete keg ballast. at the most you will only lose money on the few bags of cemet and its not expensive. When I was making stuff for my 3 pt, I used scrap 1/2' galvanized water pipe and cut to length. it's just about perfect for 7/8 OD diameter.

 

[FSE]

The keg is made out of aluminum. What I was thinking about doing is putting the rod from the top to bottom and use a 7/8 rod. That way I can turn the keg on its side lower the hitch and side the rod in and having holes drilled in the ends on the rod put the hitch pins in. It would hook up like a cross bar. Then I can lift the keg and with the rod being thru the center and it lying sideways it won't rock or move when the tractor moves. The reason I was thinking of using concrete is I don't have to worry about sealing any holes. And when I am done with the loader I can just drop the keg and roll it out of the way.

 

[radioman]

good point FSE. build away ! OH don't forget to post pics of your work progress.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Not to oversimplify, but I've had great luck just using my 48" box blade. It weighs plenty, but I also use it in conjunction with rear wheel weights (80# each side).

And it has a myriad of different uses...shovel carrier, strap hooker-to-er, root ripper-outer, as well as a somewhat uncomfortable seat in a pinch. I don't make an effort to have more stuff laying around than I need to by combining functions...and a beat up beer keg sounds like a one-purpose item.

 

[CHDinCT]

The keg is made out of aluminum. What I was thinking about doing is putting the rod from the top to bottom and use a 7/8 rod. That way I can turn the keg on its side lower the hitch and side the rod in and having holes drilled in the ends on the rod put the hitch pins in. It would hook up like a cross bar. Then I can lift the keg and with the rod being thru the center and it lying sideways it won't rock or move when the tractor moves. The reason I was thinking of using concrete is I don't have to worry about sealing any holes. And when I am done with the loader I can just drop the keg and roll it out of the way.

Sounds like a plan to me. Only thing I'd be worried about is whether the 7/8" rod would bend with all that weight on it, especially if you start bouncing a little, which you WILL do with a load in the FEL and all that weight off the 3PH.

 

[c-and-a]

Have a look at this - another idea...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...i-learned-tractorbynet.html?highlight=ballast

 

[FSE]

Not to oversimplify, but I've had great luck just using my 48" box blade. It weighs plenty, but I also use it in conjunction with rear wheel weights (80# each side).

And it has a myriad of different uses...shovel carrier, strap hooker-to-er, root ripper-outer, as well as a somewhat uncomfortable seat in a pinch. I don't make an effort to have more stuff laying around than I need to by combining functions...and a beat up beer keg sounds like a one-purpose item.

Good point. The only problem is the tractor and FEL were a early Christmas present from my wife and I dont have a BB yet and I don't see one in the near future. I think I will be getting a straight blade for a gift at Christmas but not for sure and I want to use the FEL now. The keg idea would be cheap and I have all the stuff except the cement.

 

[FSE]

Sounds like a plan to me. Only thing I'd be worried about is whether the 7/8" rod would bend with all that weight on it, especially if you start bouncing a little, which you WILL do with a load in the FEL and all that weight off the 3PH.

I was thinking that also. I plan on only extending the bar a few inches out the ends. Just enough to get thru the hitch. I am hoping that the dried concret will keep it straight in the keg and it be be close enought on the ends not to bend.

 

[FSE]

Have a look at this - another idea...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...i-learned-tractorbynet.html?highlight=ballast

Great idea. I am thinging sort of the same thing only lying sideways and with a keg. It wouldn't be as long though.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Maybe your dealer will toss in a ballast box for you (mine did). It can't hurt to ask.

 

[LBrown59]

*Fluid in the tires is the best because that way the weight is not on the tractor suspension.

]But* it's hard to add and remove.

I agree, while you can haul stuff on flat ground with fluid or weights, you have to be very careful and I wouldn't recommend it.

Why not?

 

[FSE]

Maybe your dealer will toss in a ballast box for you (mine did). It can't hurt to ask.

I think I got all I am going to get out of him between the price and the free 50 hour service. Beside the deal is basicly agreed apon. I was just waiting for the FEL to sign the paper work.

 

[TripleR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TripleR

I agree, while you can haul stuff on flat ground with fluid or weights, you have to be very careful and I wouldn't recommend it.

Why not?

I am referring to wheel weights or fluid ballast only with no weight in the form of a ballast box BB etc. I don't recommend it due to varying levels of skill/experience.

 

[FSE]

Well the dealer brought my tractor back today with the FEL attached. They put water and methanol in the rear tires. I didn't ask for it but what could I say then. Anyway I think I have come up with a new scheme to make a counter weight. I know it's cheap and may not look the prettiest but I think it will work just the same. The keg turned out to be stainless steel and that was going to be a little harder to work with. So here is what I came up with as an alternative. Make a nice flat area on the ground with sand and put down a piece of plastic. Then drive a 7/8 inch rod thru the middle into the ground. Take a 12 inch dia. concrete tube and cut it about 22 inches long and place on the plastic with the rod in the middle. Pour the concrete in the tube filling it to the top with the rod sticking out about a foot. Let it harden and then pull it up from the ground and take the plastic off the end. Cut off the rod to the proper length and drill holes in the rod ends for lynch pins. That should weight somewhere around 150 lbs I am thinking. Lower the 3pt to the ground hook up the weight and lift. With the water in the tires I am thinking that would be enough. What do you think?