Ballast How much weight do I need on the front?

[Lumberdink]

I have a FEL on my BX-2660 but it's cumbersome working around trees with my Woods 48" rotary cutter (which is HEAVY). I'd like to take the FEL off for bush hogging and mowing in the woods but it does serve as good ballast. Suitcase weights seem a little pricey but I will check out a local tractor salvor for used. I may weld up a bracket which would hold some steel plates from my basement gym. Whatever route I choose, how many pounds do I need up front?

 

[Bluegill2]

Close to the same weight as the mower will work good.

I always take my loader off when mowing, but my tractors are heavy enough not to need any extra weight up front.

 

[Lumberdink]

Ack! Just checked the Woods manual---shipping weight is 385lbs!

 

[boggen]

you say FEL off, but what about just taking the "bucket off" and leaving the FEL arms on the tractor?

suit case weights, can be one nasty things to get on / off. there heavy, and not much to grab on to. even if they do have handles built into them. you end up wanting a second person around. so other weights do not come falling down onto your foot as you try to take off or put another weight on.

 

[RoyJackson]

Deere suitcase weights are 42lbs each
I think three equivalent weights would work OK for you.

Don't forget...the fulcrum for the 3PH implement would be the rear axle...and you have all the weight forward of that to counterweight the cutter.

 

[Lumberdink]

Hmmmmm...
I did like the idea of taking the entire FEL off, just to lower the center of gravity. I live on a hill and this hummer seems a little tippy at times. I saw an ad on CL for 2 Ford suitcase weights for $50 each but maybe they'd be too big on my l'il Kubotee.

 

[Bluegill2]

Ack! Just checked the Woods manual---shipping weight is 385lbs!

Don't really need to match the weight of the mower, just need enough to keep the front wheels on the ground and be able to steer. 80-100 lbs might do it...

Have you tried it with the FEL off?

 

[TripleR]

We run our 2660 without the FEL using a 400 pound Land Pride 48" cutter and don't need any added weight unless going up hills.

 

[RoyJackson]

Have to tried lifting the cutter with no front ballast? You may not even need that front weight...just the weight of the tractor may be adequate.
So, try lifting the cutter on a level surface (driveway, for example). If the front end of the kubota doesn't lift...try driving forward and getting a feel for it.
Now, if the area you're cutting is sloped or hilly...you may have to use the split brakes, if your Kubota has them.

 

[94BULLITT]

I thought a general rule of thumb was 20% of what every you have on the 3ph.