First Time I Really **NEEDED** Rear Weight

[Diggin It]

Not a preference or reduction of risk, but required. Could not do the task without it.

I have a carry all that I rig up into the FEL to use as makeshift pallet forks. Roll your eyes, but it works quite well. Problem is it puts the weight farther out front, reducing capacity. Had a pallet sitting on a trailer with a 400+ pound generator bolted to it. Got the 'forks' under it fine, added some straps to secure it and went to lift. Very slow and cautious since I wasn't sure it would work at all. Pallet raised an inch off the trailer and the rear wheels came up. No danger, no pucker because I was watching every point possible. There was no possible way at all it was going to work.

Unhooked the straps and backed out, went and retrieved a 5' finish mower I've been working on. Got back in position and strapped in place and she lifted just fine. No risk felt at all. Moved it into place a few feet away and set it down on some 4x4s until I'm ready for the next step.

No pictures because I too intent on getting it done safely.

 

[seville009]

probably just about everyone on here has been in that situation.

I usually have my 900 lb brush hog hooked up as a counterweight when using the loader, plus my rear tires are loaded.

 

[Avenger]

Rear ballast is a must when lifting heavy loads with the FEL.

The heaviest thing I lifted was my backhoe attachment. The Wood's BX90-X with a subframe bolted to it. We brought it home from the dealer (it was on consignment) on a flat deck car hauler trailer, and I used my "crane" attachment on the FEL. Puts the shackle about 2-1/2 feet from the pins. Rigged it up with a bunch of straps to the shackle. I had the (at the time) heaviest 3pt attachment I have, the rototiller on the back. Plus beat juice filled tires.

My plan was to simply pick the BH up, back up from the trailer, drive to where I wanted it set down (in the "lot" where I keep my implements) and be done with the job. That was not going to happen. When I started picking the BH, I realized that this thing is MUCH heavier than I anticipated. I was only able to take the pressure off the trailer suspension!!! The tractor just couldnt do it.

We re-rigged it a few times, trying different things. Was able to get the rear of the BH up off the deck just slightly, and my friend drove the trailer out from under it. Fortunately, it didn't come crashing down when the front (bucket end) of the BH came off the back of the trailer. I was able to drive it, slowly forward, and set it down on the side of my driveway. If it had dropped down suddenly, it was only maybe 2ft off the ground, so I wasnt too worried. But was an eye opener of (1) just how heavy this BH was. (2) just how much length from the pins effects the lifting capacity of the FEL. And (3) just how important rear ballast really is when picking heavy loads.

I could not have picked this backhoe with nothing, or even a lighter implement on the back.

Backhoe sitting where I left it. This was a long time ago, fyi.

 

[rbstern]

I bought my MT225e with the sub-frame mounted backhoe. At the time, I had no idea how valuable it would be as a counterweight, and in general, as a stability aid. I pick up relatively heavy stuff (logs, equipment pallets, stone, dirt, etc.) with the FEL and forks all the time, without much concern because of the BH weight and low CG. When I have the backhoe off, and I have something like my 5' box blade as the counter, I have to remind myself to operate with more awareness of the potential limits. Today, I had a heaping load of red clay in the FEL, and the back felt a bit light with only the box blade (about 400lbs). If I didn't have the backhoe, I'd have my rear tires filled.

 

[oosik]

For sure - he who has not been "lite in the loafers" has not really "used" the FEL to lift. My 1050# Rhino rear blade is a permanent fixture on my 3-point. Except when I use the Wallenstein chipper. It's just too easy to be out on the property and want to move something with the grapple. Then because there is nothing on the 3-point - you find that the rear end is lifting right along with the load in the grapple. Teeter-totters have their place. Tractor is NOT a good place.

 

[mred2]

Using the FEL is the main reason I have the tires filled. I can move a 1,000 lb roll of hay without anything else on the rear.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'd like to see a pic of your loader mounted carry all.

 

[Diggin It]

I'd like to see a pic of your loader mounted carry all.

Old thread about it: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/412889-how-stupid-idea-related-pallet.html

 

[PCABE5]

Using the FEL is the main reason I have the tires filled. I can move a 1,000 lb roll of hay without anything else on the rear.

Loaded tires are nice but they don't count as ballast for the FEL.

 

[oosik]

Hmmm! Learn something new every day. So...... what my tractor Op Manual says about adding liquid ballast to the rear tires to offset the FEL is DEAD WRONG.

PCABE5 - it would do well if you read your tractor Op Manual again. This time with a little understanding ............

 

[fried1765]

Loaded tires are nice but they don't count as ballast for the FEL.

I don't want any ballast in my rear tires!
I carry my 1800+ pound backhoe around everywhere I go!
It is removable, but I don't.

 

[Diggin It]

My tires are filled, but small as they are they only add a couple of hundred pounds. I can't have the BH on all the time for clearance reasons. It sticks out and up too far for many tasks when using the FEL. I need to watch what's in front of me and not have to worry about that giant preying mantis running into things. As it was, the finish mower I had back there was causing issues. A weight box might have been ideal in this case, but I don't have one. I could have grabbed the tiller, but that wasn't convenient at the moment and can be a real bear to hook up.

 

[oosik]

I have 1550# of RimGuard in the rear tires and my Rhino rear blade @ 1050# on the 3-point. That rear blade could easily get to be a real problem if my land was densely forested. When I do navigate thru the trees - turn the blade 90 degrees. It may bang on a few trees but the edges won't catch on any trees.

I have trails to most everywhere on the property. Seldom get off these trails. The M6040 with the rear blade is not a whole lot of fun to navigate thru LARGE pines. I use a long chain when "stuff" needs to be removed from inside tree stands.

I make it a point to do some heavy thinking before I decide whether to take the tractor into a tree stand. I most often use the chain or just leave it alone. "It's" not really bothering anything, anyhow.

 

[PCABE5]

Hmmm! Learn something new every day.

PCABE5 - it would do well if you read your tractor Op Manual again. This time with a little understanding ............

Does this help with your understanding of what the manual says?

"When working with front loader or rear heavy loaded attachments installed to the 3-point linkage,
install ballast weights on the counter-part axle to maintain the front and rear weight balance of the tractor.

If not, front or rear axle can be strained by the overloaded weight.

When working with the front loader, place the attached rear weight to the highest position and turn the down speed control knob to the “lock” position."

 

[rbstern]

Loaded tires are nice but they don't count as ballast for the FEL.

Any weight added aft of the center of gravity will counteract the FEL load. I'm sure there are cautious views that suggest not solely relying on rear tire weight as ballast, but it's ballast nonetheless.

 

[oosik]

AH - PCABE5. We are talking about two different things. Relieving strain on the axles and having sufficient weight to offset what is being lifted by the FEL.

The axles( front & rear ) on my M6040 are more than adequate to take whatever load I can pick up with the FEL. I DO NOT put weight anywhere to relieve strain on either axle. I put weight - loaded rear tires & rear blade - to offset what I am lifting with the FEL. While the rear blade may relieve some of the weight on the front axle due to the teeter-totter effect - it's primary purpose is to keep the rear wheels on the ground while lifting with the FEL.

My Op Manual only speaks to offsetting whatever load is going to be lifted with the FEL.

Sorry - I meant no offense .........

 

[BRMyers]

Loaded tires are nice but they don't count as ballast for the FEL.

To avoid personal injury:
A For tractor stability and operator's safety, rear
ballast should be added to the rear of the
tractor in the form of 3-point counter weight
and rear wheel ballast. The amount of rear
ballast will depend on the application.

 

[PCABE5]

To avoid personal injury:
A For tractor stability and operator's safety, rear
ballast should be added to the rear of the
tractor in the form of 3-point counter weight
and rear wheel ballast. The amount of rear
ballast will depend on the application.

Exactly my point. Both

 

[Diggin It]

Are we really gonna bicker over whether the weight is inside the tire attached to the wheel or a separate hunk of metal or concrete attached to the wheel?

 

[PCABE5]

Are we really gonna bicker over whether the weight is inside the tire attached to the wheel or a separate hunk of metal or concrete attached to the wheel?

Not sure.