Front & Rear Fork Based Ballast

   / Front & Rear Fork Based Ballast #1  

LFEngineering

Silver Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
109
Location
Western, MA
Tractor
Kubota B1700, IH Cub Lo-Boy 185( Sold) & Deutz Allis 5215 (Sold)
Design criteria.

Quick to take on and off
Variable weight to suit counter balance needs
Needs tool holders
Prefer low CG

This is what I came up with:

My 3pt forks/trailer mover lives on the tractor. The idea was to design a ballast weight that I could back up to, scoop up and use without leaving the seat.

The main block is 400lb, had 4 tool holder spots and an internal rebar structure tied to the two 3" square tubes.

The small blocks are 125lb each and are "movable by hand". They also will be used on my snowblower in the winter to counter balance my snowplow.

The small blocks pin to the large block using 1.5" PVC pipes. The ID of the 1.5"pipe is still large enough to use as tool pockets for shovels, rakes, etc.

I have 3 different length fork sets; 42, 36 and 24. The 24's only stick out 6" past the concrete, so they are the most maneuverable. But if the job needs more counter balance I can use the 42's and hang the weight further off the back.

The spacing of my front forks so if I need front weight I can pick the block up with the loader aswell.

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   / Front & Rear Fork Based Ballast #2  
Very cool! :thumbsup:
 
   / Front & Rear Fork Based Ballast #3  
I like it. I like it a lot.

It seemed deceptively big. Or too light.
That probably makes no sense.
The scale seemed off. The block looked way heavier than 400lbs.
Then I realized it's 17HP tractor.
Then it made more sense.
 
 
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