Ballast How much weight do I need on the front?

[bcp]

From BX2360 manuals:

Loader manual recommends a maximum of 420 pounds on the rear as loader ballast.

Tractor manual recommends a maximum of 275 pounds on the front as implement ballast.

Bruce

 

[Lumberdink]

I actually got off the driveway and made a round through the woods with the cutter. It worked fine until I tried heading back up the hill. I took an easier route and made it back up to the house. This really would be sweet without the FEL, working around the trees.

 

[megaboz]

I actually got off the driveway and made a round through the woods with the cutter. It worked fine until I tried heading back up the hill. I took an easier route and made it back up to the house. This really would be sweet without the FEL, working around the trees.

Yea I hear you. I tried to cut my yard once with Fel and the bh on once. That was the longest 2 minutes of my life.

I caught a couple trees with fel too before. I found a solution to that issue though, chainsaw solved that issue. LOL

 

[RobertN]

So here is a possible solution for front ballast...

Make a bracket that easily bolts/unbolts to front frame of tractor. Off the front of the bracket, weld a couple pieces of pipe to hold weights. Use pipe that will work with "gym" weights, like for doing bench press, or bicep curls.

Check the local thrift stores, yard sales, classified, craigslist etc for weights. See them frequently at thrift stores for next to nothing. Have sen individual weights(plates) from 2.5-45lbs.

 

[94BULLITT]

I actually got off the driveway and made a round through the woods with the cutter. It worked fine until I tried heading back up the hill. I took an easier route and made it back up to the house. This really would be sweet without the FEL, working around the trees.

Could at least take the bucket off? That would make it more maneuverable but you would still have the weight of the loader.

 

[Lumberdink]

I think I might buy the suitcase weights and give them a go---260lbs for $100. I only got to use my snowplow once and I recall that it wanted to kick to the side a little when plowing at an angle. The weights shouldn't be in the way of the plow, so I'm thinking they may help keep the plow on track.

 

[RoyJackson]

I think I might buy the suitcase weights and give them a go---260lbs for $100. I only got to use my snowplow once and I recall that it wanted to kick to the side a little when plowing at an angle. The weights shouldn't be in the way of the plow, so I'm thinking they may help keep the plow on track.

Does your Kubota have a front weight bracket of any sort? You may have to fabricate one, modify yours (if you do have one) or modify the weights.
You know, our resident Ford expert Sound Guy, made up his weights using concrete and a home made form. You might want to consider doing something like that.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think I might buy the suitcase weights and give them a go---260lbs for $100. I only got to use my snowplow once and I recall that it wanted to kick to the side a little when plowing at an angle. The weights shouldn't be in the way of the plow, so I'm thinking they may help keep the plow on track.

Where are you finding weights for that price?

 

[Lumberdink]

Where are you finding weights for that price?

I found them on CL and picked them up yesterday. 4 weights @ 65lbs each and freshly painted Ford Blue! :duh: I will have to fab a bracket (already have the steel) and I may have to shorten them (they're 16" long) but not until I see how it comes together with the bracket (I'll get some pics up). :thumbsup:
Anyone know if a Harbor Fright HD metal cutoff saw will make it through 2.5" of steel? I have a buddy with a welding shop and he probably has a bandsaw that would cut through them.

 

[94BULLITT]

I found them on CL and picked them up yesterday. 4 weights @ 65lbs each and freshly painted Ford Blue! :duh: I will have to fab a bracket (already have the steel) and I may have to shorten them (they're 16" long) but not until I see how it comes together with the bracket (I'll get some pics up). :thumbsup:
Anyone know if a Harbor Fright HD metal cutoff saw will make it through 2.5" of steel? I have a buddy with a welding shop and he probably has a bandsaw that would cut through them.

That was a deal. Weights usually go for a $1 a pounds.

 

[RoyJackson]

Anyone know if a Harbor Fright HD metal cutoff saw will make it through 2.5" of steel? I have a buddy with a welding shop and he probably has a bandsaw that would cut through them.

I think you'll do better using your buddy's bandsaw.

 

[Lumberdink]

Thanks---I started this thread somewhat hesitantly, thinking I'd get a caustic "use the search feature, jackass" reply but this board has always been hospitable. Although the front ballast issue has been addressed many times I'm sure, each application is different and those asking, answering, and lurking always pick up something new. :thumbsup:

 

[boggen]

reciprocating saw, works, for cutting, just takes extra time to make your "mark" lines nice and straight before you start cutting. just let the reciprocating saw do its work, with hardly any sort of down pressure. and make sure you have metal piece clamped good in a vice on bench. if the blade bends, put a new one in. bent blades, tend to heat up quickly and suddenly break without warning, and end up also giving badly made cuts. if you are doing a lot of cutting all at once, swap blades as well, to let one blade cool down, while cutting with another blade.

there normally atleast with me always some sort of burs or sharp edges, after cutting metal. so end up using a angle grinder to due any touch ups. and to slightly curve sharp ends.

 

[Lumberdink]

Here's my saw. It cuts pipe and whatnot like butter but I'm not sure about these monsters.

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks---I started this thread somewhat hesitantly, thinking I'd get a caustic "use the search feature, jackass" reply but this board has always been hospitable. Although the front ballast issue has been addressed many times I'm sure, each application is different and those asking, answering, and lurking always pick up something new. :thumbsup:

Thats the answer I got trying to find a good chipper shredder. Use the search feature dummy?

 

[94BULLITT]

I hate when people tell me to use the search feature. Sometimes I can remember the title and it still will not find it. This is the best forum that I am a member of, the rest are useless.

 

[Lumberdink]

I gave up on cutting the weights and instead, I fabricated a bracket out of 1/4" steel for the front which lifted the weights up. Here are some pics of the bracket and final setup! :thumbsup:

 

[Bluegill2]

Looks good! Nice work...

 

[TripleR]

Very nice setup. :thumbsup:

As to using the "search feature", occasionally you will get that, but my assumption is that has been tried already without success. I have used that feature, but you can spend literally hours sifting through stuff unrelated until you stumble onto it where a member can often very quickly point you in the right direction.

 

[Lumberdink]

Looks good! Nice work...

Thanks. I'll probably paint the bracket and maybe the weights on down the road. Too far behind on hogging right now to get fancy!