Ballast Front end weight

[Go Wings]

I am taking my front end loader off my L3410 and need to put some weight on the front end but how much should I put on? Thanks for any input.

 

[johnk]

If you have the brush guard on the front weights will fit right on there. It all depends what you are putting on the back that determines what you need on the front.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Why do you feel weight needs to be added to the front? When I take off my FEL I never add weight to the front. Philip.

 

[longshot47]

Many models come with a bolt-on bracket for suitcase weights. It would be centered between the front wheels, and if you've got it you have a number of options as far as weights and means of attachment. In any case, they [weights] need to be secured.

 

[Ken45101]

Why do you feel weight needs to be added to the front? When I take off my FEL I never add weight to the front. Philip.

On most tractors, a heavy rear weight (box blade or heavy cutter) will lighten the front end until the steering is very light. The front end may even come off the ground at times Even a landscape rake on my B2710 makes the front end very light. I used to have an M4700 and it was a bear bolting the front weight bumper (100#+) on and off, but absolutely necessary. On my M9540, with a big tow behind Bush Hog, the front end still feels a bit light at times and I have 700#s on the front.

To the OP, it depends on what you are putting on the rear. Do you have a weight bumper/bracket on there already? How light does the front feel? Probably a hundred pounds will help a lot.

 

[PHILIP8N]

This 6' bush hog makes my L3940 a little light in the front, but not light enough that I would go out and buy weights and take the time to put them on and off. Just wondering why he felt like he needed to add weight? What is he doing? It is a very general question. Philip.

 

[Bluegill2]

I mow with my L3800DT with the FEL off and a heavy Land Pride 5' mower. There is no need for added weight on the front. Now when I had a 2wd L245 years ago, it did need extra weight on the front.

 

[megaboz]

Well depends on what you got hanging off the back. Personally I believe in sharing the load across the whole tractor and not just the one axle. If you are going to be putting an implement on the rear, I would add enough weight where you don't see a noticeable shift in weight when you raise the rear implement. Also the type of rear implement can make a difference in the amount of weight. Box blades dig in and want to pull the front up, so more weight in the front will help to keep steering on the front wheels.

And honestly a lot depends on the terrain and how you would be traversing it as well, steep hills going up them forwards with heavy weight on the rear, you might want more weight. Flat ground, not needed so much.

Light steering is almost never a good thing, there is nothing like going straight when you need to turn (for some reason trees just don't get out of the way, LOL).

 

[PHILIP8N]

I hear ya. But, 90% of the time I have a box blade or areator on the 3 point, I have my FEL on too because I am doing dirt work. 95% of the time I have a finish mower or bush hog on 3 point, I do not have my FEL on (I have hit too many fences, buildings, and trees and learned my lesson), and I have no problem with the weight distribution here. Since he was not very clear in his question, hard to judge what his needs are. Philip.

 

[displacedPA]

I have a B2320 and when the LP0550 tiller is on the back i need front end weight. I have hilly terain and without it my fornt tires pop off the ground. Im currently fabbing up some weights totaling 150lbs. Im doing this all out of scrap steel from work. the only thing i may need is some hardware.

 

[Go Wings]

Putting on my 5 foot tiller and then my finish mower. the ground in not flat and I want some down weight in front. Was thinking 100 pounds but have never used front end weights before.

 

[megaboz]

Putting on my 5 foot tiller and then my finish mower. the ground in not flat and I want some down weight in front. Was thinking 100 pounds but have never used front end weights before.

I run 100# all the time even without rear implements. It definitely won't hurt.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Putting on my 5 foot tiller and then my finish mower. the ground in not flat and I want some down weight in front. Was thinking 100 pounds but have never used front end weights before.

The finish mower sits on 4 wheels and will not add weight to your 3 point (until you lift it). I would try without before I went to the expense and time to add and remove front weights. In the past, I have mowed without the top link in place because I never needed to lift the finish mower. I have also used a 6' Woods tiller with no front weight. Again, I would at least try it first. Philip.

 

[megaboz]

I tend to agree, you may or may not need the weight, really depends on how your tractor handles. The weight can be added later if needed. I run the extra weight all the time cause I basically live on a hill side.

Unless there is some compelling reason to remove it, you could leave your FEL on and always scoop up a load of dirt/gravel/bags of sand for ballast.

 

[The Toolman]

6-1" x 4" x 13" pieces of plate steel an 2-1/2" x 8" bolts, washers, an nuts equals 90 lbs. on the front of my BX1800 an I used 2 of the exisiting holes that are on the front of the frame from the factory.
I had this piece of steel laying around from a job a few years back

I plan on getting a woods 42" brush hog, an was just thinking ahead for when it is up an I am traveling.

 

[displacedPA]

6-1" x 4" x 13" pieces of plate steel an 2-1/2" x 8" bolts, washers, an nuts equals 90 lbs. on the front of my BX1800 an I used 2 of the exisiting holes that are on the front of the frame from the factory.
I had this piece of steel laying around from a job a few years back

I plan on getting a woods 42" brush hog, an was just thinking ahead for when it is up an I am traveling.

did you use Kubota ROPS grey? or did you match the color? i just made weights for the front of my B2320. I still need to paint them and was curious.

 

[The Toolman]

did you use Kubota ROPS grey? or did you match the color? i just made weights for the front of my B2320. I still need to paint them and was curious.

Hard to tell it in the pic, but yes, it is Kubota grey

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Never had a problem concerning front weights before getting my B2320. Most of my tractors had FELs so that took care of my front weight needs. This B2320 will jump almost straight up in the front with the plow or tiller on the tractor. I'm to cheap to pay $1 a lb for tractor weights so I made my own out of some loose plastic containers, Sakrete (on sale for $3 for 80 lbs) and 2 pieces of rebar per weight. Cheap and ugly but effective. Also bought a Reese hitch receiver and Bro in law welded it to a piece of flat steel.
Need some of that Kubota gray spray paint to fancy them up.