Front weight

[wmonroe]

I have a Ford 961 and run a 72" Woods brush hog with it. While mowing up some steeper hills the front end can get light enough to the point the front tires are just floating on the ground. Is there any kind of factory front weight bracket for this model?
Thanks

 

[Soundguy]

yes there is an oem weightbox for the front... and it might cost you half as much as that rowcrop is worth, if you found one on ebay.. etc..

build yer own. ford left you 4 tapped bolt holes on the front steering bolster.

make you a box out of some 1/4 plate and then weight it.. perhaps make up a front bumper / brush guard.

soundguy

 

[wmonroe]

Thanks, I'll probably make my own. It will give me an excuse to get the welder out and see if I remember how to weld.

 

[Soundguy]

that's what I'm doing. I already hav ethe base plate for attachment.

also.. on that front pedistal is an oil check plug.. if you mount a weight box you will need to make sure you have a recessed head plug or leave a cutout for it so you can service the steering box without removing the weight box.

soundguy

 

[wmonroe]

Good point about the oil plug. Are you making a box to hang suit-case weights on or a box that can hold anything heavy?

 

[Soundguy]

I'm making a box frame that sets out about 4" from the pedistal and then will have a bar on it for something like suitcase weights... that way it won't block the upper portion of the radiator. I may make an angle iron top extended piece with expanded metal in it to protect the radiator though.

soundguy

 

[wmonroe]

Spent a few hours again brush hogging last night and it does fine in most of the time but that 6' brush hog is really noticeable going up hills or across hills.
The tractor did an amazing job though through some very thick/tall brush. It still surprises me how well a tractor that is that old performs.

 

[Soundguy]

hp is hp...i'd put those older tractors up to a new one when you look at build quality and materials quality and the amount of abuse it will take and still keep on working... might be shy in some safety and creature comfort aspects though..

soundguy

 

[Pops15]

yes there is an oem weightbox for the front... and it might cost you half as much as that rowcrop is worth, if you found one on ebay.. etc..

soundguy

There was a rowcrop at the Shoup auction with an oem weight box. Auctioneer said the box was easily worth $1000 itself. Must have been as that tractor sold for big $ considering its poor condition.
Also saw 2 more oem weight boxes among the rows of parts being sold at the same auction. Didn't see what they went for though.

 

[Soundguy]

have seen them go for 500-700$ on ebay

soundguy