Finally built a counterweight for the M7040

[TruckinFool]

Finally got around to building my counter weight.

2400# Retaining wall block, about 100# of scrap 2x2x.120 and a $120 3pt bale spear from Northern tool.

I wish the tubing was at least 3/16 but its all I had laying around. Not bad for about $200. I guess we'll see if that thin wall is up to 2500# bouncing around. Seems to be fine so far.

Tractor feels like a new machine doing loader work. Dont need 4x4 anymore. Even with an empty bucket the extra weight of the loader feels much more balanced tooling around with the counterweight. Seems fine on hills. I think I'd really need to switch hard from reverse to forward on a decent grade to pop the front end up. I was using a 6ft box blade before and its night and day with some real weight.






Now I just need to make sure no one spray paints nipples on it... I've warned about 5 people now haha

 

[GManBart]

Holy moly, is Hoffa buried in there somewhere (I'm pretty sure I get a bonus if I find him)?

Your tractor's front axles are thanking you now! :thumbsup:

 

[CalG]

Careful!

You will have the tail wagging the dog! ;-)

 

[PhysAssist]

That is awesome! And I mean that sincerely.

Nicely done.

 

[Dozernut]

Nice job, looks like a winner. As Homer Simpson would say "mmmmm tractor boobies"

 

[gwdixon]

That will definitely work as a counterweight!!! Half of that would probably have been enough.

The FEL hydraulic pump will go into relief before that ballast will even move an inch.

RE: painting nipples, nah. If the "boobs" were on the top part then you'd have the whole package if a squirrel moved into the lower opening! :laughing:

 

[AaronS]

Wow, that thing is a monster! Great job!

 

[TruckinFool]

Thank you all. She's definitely a biggin. I was originally planning on filling a metal barrel with concrete but the block was free. I'm glad I went this route. I think my box blade is about 750#. For anyone doing frequent loader work or handling big bales of hay I'd highly recommend around 2000# on this size tractor. I guess it depends what your lifting but I think 1000-1250# balances out the loader empty, then add more for the load. The distance from the counterweight to the rear axle ended up about the same as bucket to front axle. Everything is much smoother and balanced. I can grab two 3x3 bales and move around while lifting/lowering without thinking about it. With the box blade if I didn't caress the bales down just right, stationary, the rear wheels felt like they could come up. At best, I had no traction. Really slows down unloading a trailer. Even a bucket full of dirt felt very front heavy and I have cast centers.

Anyway, hopefully this helps someone some day.