Counter weight size question - Is there a way to calculate the correct weight?

[mslisaj]

Diggin It, I could not agree more. The hoe is top heavy and really makes me thing about all my moves with this machine. But I only take the hoe off during the winter as I can donate the shop space to it's storage then. So during the spring thru fall it's a good place to store the hoe (mounted on the tractor) and I do dig occasionally with it. I don't have any other ground engagement implements (as I don't have a use for them) So it's either the hoe or my counter balance. While I can take the hoe on and off in about 15 minutes I just a soon leave it on the tractor.

I so appreciate your thoughts.

Lisa

 

[mslisaj]

Hi Piloon, I have been an aircraft owner for almost 40 years now and yes the weight and balance is the issue here. In all my flying I never equated the one pound at 10ft to 10 foot pounds. But that is an interesting concept and it works.
Now take my MT 125, the loader will lift 1000 pounds at the pins. 200 for the bucket so 800 payload. But go back to the 1000 pounds. I have a 500 pound counter weight opposing 1000 pounds of bucket weight, that will load the front axle probably about 700 pounds which it should be able to do. I don't have my owners manual in front of me to find out the max front axle weight but I should be in the ball park of safety.

Thanks Piloon for your thougths here. Makes a lot of sense.

Lisa

 

[mslisaj]

Okay, just looked it up in the manual, Total Load Capacity for the front axle is 1653 pounds. Now the rear axle will hold 3571 pounds. But the maximum load for the entire tractor is 2646 pounds. So when you look at those numbers you can see how that rear axle will carry the counterbalance load.

 

[Johnston Tilliryy]

From my xr4140 manual. Roughly 66% of bucket load needed as rear ballast to achieve the 75/25 ratio recommended.

 

[mslisaj]

From my xr4140 manual. Roughly 66% of bucket load needed as rear ballast to achieve the 75/25 ratio recommended. View attachment 653927

Great information Johnston!! Now this is getting to be usable and easily figured information. My tractor is designed to lift 1000 pounds including the bucket. So I would need a 660 pound counter weight. I have 530 on there now which is good for an equipment saving 800 pound lift for this SCUT. Works for me and thank you for taking your time to share that information.

 

[CobyRupert]

....but note those percentages are talking about weight and ballast at the axle. You’re adding ballast at some distance away from the axle, and often forward of the FEL pins (when using forks, etc) ....so now you’re back to 10 lbs at 1 ft. is the same as 1 lb at 10 ft.