Is this enough counter weight?

[mslisaj]

Well today I finished my "heavy hitch" for my MT125. I used front wheel weights and a commercial 3 point receiver hitch attachment to build this. I took a piece of 2"X2"X3/16" box tubing and welded a cross piece on the end to hold the wheel weights. Now I have two 65 pound weights, two 100 pound weights, the hitch weighs 25 pounds, the 2X3 box tube weighs 10 pounds and the three point hitch components for the tractor weigh 35 pounds for a total of 400 pounds hanging out 36" from the center of the axle.

Now just some information the backhoe complete weighs 700 pounds and hangs out there and is top heavy and lends to a sway of the machine on rough terrain. The backhoe is definitely enough counter weight for anything the tractor is able to lift on the front end. But it makes the machine top heavy and is a lot hanging out behind you when doing just loader work. Also for information the max load for the loader which includes the bucket is about 1000 pounds.

So I just took the tractor for a test drive and it's center of gravity is definitely lower and while my hitch weight is 300 pounds less then the backhoe the tractor feels more stable and "heavier". I realize the purpose of the weight in the back is to counter balance the loader load and relieve some weight on the front axle.

So I'm asking you gentlemen who have been at this a lot longer then me what you think about the amount of weight I have assembled back there for this sub compact tractor. I realize that you have to have a feel for it but just your impression - is that enough? If I could score one more 100 pound weight I would add it to the stack and I left the center bar long enough to add another weight, but what do you think?

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions.....
Lisa

P.S. The capacity of the 3 point system on this tractor is 900 pounds.

 

[atsah]

I have a TITAN weight box on my GC, I bought 10 25 pound 4x4x8 square cement blocks for $2.00 each at my local building supply store. I have 10 in there right now plus the weight of the box, 100lbs. So 350 plus 150lbs in rim guard in the tires I have about 500lbs on the hitch most of the time. I rarely lift more than 500lbs, the heaviest thing I lift with my pallet forks is my 3pt snowblower that is just over 500lbs..

You need to get some dirt on that tractor, at least on the tires..

 

[jeff9366]

I finished the "heavy hitch" for my LS MT125 with a total of 400 pounds hanging out 36" from the center of the axle. I realize the purpose of the rear weight is to counter balance the loader load and relieve some weight on the front axle. The max load for the loader which includes the bucket is about 1000 pounds.

So I'm asking about 400 pounds I assembled for this sub compact tractor. I realize that you have to have a feel for it but just your impression - is that enough?

P.S. The capacity of the 3 point system on this tractor is 900 pounds.

Enough.

Too much rear weight and the front will lift when you move up a slope with the bucket empty.


Bare tractors are designed with a weight distribution of 40% front, 60% rear.

Add a Front End Loader and the weight distribution becomes 50% front, 50% rear. (+/-)

Fill the bucket and the weight moves forward, leveraged by low-forward position of a laden bucket.
Could be 60% front, 40% rear. (Tractor wheelbase affects weight distribution.)

Rear wheels unlikely to lift from the ground at this moment on level ground, but they will certainly be "light" if bucket payload is wet. Hazardous transporting FEL load over soft or uneven ground.

Green tree trunk sections and laden pallets on pallet forks are often heavier than wet bucket loads. Pallets protrude. Weight distribution could be 70% front, 30% rear. Probability of rear wheels lifting high, pivoting on the relatively weak front axle, which may not be perpendicular to tractor frame.
Conditions for potential tractor rollover.

Suffecient Three Point Hitch counterbalance restores weight distribution to 40% front, 60% rear. (+/-)

Four hundred pounds protruding to the rear seems ample to me.

Smart that you can exchange 65-pound and 100-pound weights to fine tune counterbalance.

 

[papachaz]

that looks great to me! I won't get into the specifics of weight, as the kubota owner already covered that

 

[atsah]

Keep in mind I installed a 60 inch compact bucket, I replaced the 48 inch bucket it came with which is a lot lighter than the one I replaced it with. I use my bucket mostly for light stuff like firewood and snow so the digging bucket wasn't of much use to me so I added a little extra weight to offset the heavier bucket..

 

[mslisaj]

I have to say "atsah" had me laughing right off with "you need to get some dirt on that tractor" comment. Yes I am so guilty of washing and polishing this machine after the few jobs that I have done with it. It's my little toy and I have always wanted a loader/backhoe and all I can say is I love my LS. But yes, it needs some mud on the tires once in a while for sure. I have to say too that I'm not going to do any "heavy" lifting with this machine. I am surprised and please how easily it will lift a load and it's such a useful tool for that. If I was going to lift anything truly heavy or towards the limit of the machine I would put the backhoe on because I know it's a real counter weight.

"Jeff9366" thank you for your detailed explaination of how the weight on the tractor works and is designed. I'm a total newbe to all this, although in my career I used to load trucks with big loaders so that part I'm familiar with but this "tractor" stuff is new to me. About two months after I received my tractor I had some snow to push. This was the very first opportunity to use the tractor and I was excited. I figured the backhoe would be good for traction. But as you pointed out Jeff you can make the front end too light. The snow was dry and light and I actually could not steer the tractor with the front bucket in "float". The front tires were that light. I took off the hoe and then I was fine and I wasn't dealing with any real weight so it worked okay. But yes I have experienced the front end being too light as you pointed out.

I really appreciate the fact that you guys think this weight is about right. I was aiming for 400 to 500 pounds and when I got the weights I was a little disappointed that I only had 330 pounds of "weights". But then it dawned on me that everything about this hitch added weight so I started weighing the total components and it magically came to 400. I was lucky to find these weights and I would actually love just one more just in case. But the difference that this low weight made in just the ride of the machine was noticable right off. The tractor now feels low and heavy in stead of the high weight and the movement the backhoe induces into the whole machine. With the three point I can adjust the weight low too. So I'm pretty pleased and even more so that you guys give me a thumbs up :thumbsup: Thank you all for that.

Again, thank you all for weighing in on this project and I certainly appreciate your time with your responses. But I'm sorry to say just being me, :dance1: if you guys saw my house and shop, well, the tractor I will always strive to keep it clean. I got it new and it's just too nice but your comment was not the first time I have heard I need a little dirt to make it official.

Thanks again and best regards gentlemen.

Lisa

 

[papachaz]

nothing wrong with washing and keeping it clean. while you're washing it, you're also looking it over really good, or at least I do. I got out and washed mine earlier this week, gave me a real good chance to just take my time and go around it and over it. Saw someone write 'mine looked like that for about the first week, then I put it to work'...I've put mine to work too, I just believe in maintaining it and taking care of it, and washing and clean up is part of that. protect the finish, keeps it from rusting out. I certainly don't baby it, but I don't abuse it either


anyway, nice work on the counter weight, and nice work cleaning it after you use it

 

[mslisaj]

Well papachaz thanks for your comments. All my friends tractors get used every day and are tools in their family businesses. I wish I had work for this tractor every day but I just get a lot of pride in owning it and if a neighbor needs something done I'm there (I'm retired). I just got a kick out of Atsah's comment as he's not the first one to say that and I get it in good fun. When I looked at the pictures I put up the machine is spotless and that's the way it is. In reality for me the fun is in the maintaining and customizing it. A tractor is like a rough tool and you get to finish it the way you like it. This "heavy hitch" project was a lot of fun to do and I accomplished something. Other little mods on this machine were a lot of fun and thanks to you guys I keep getting idea's to improve it. I almost have 50 hours on it and that's the first service. I have the filters and oils to get this done and looking forward to getting to know my tractor even more. For me, in retirement it's fun to have this machine to move stuff or lift of even dig when I want it and at this stage in my life I can afford it too. Its all good and thanks to you guys for your help, suggestion, opinions and idea. I come here to ask for help and even like this hitch I'm asking for ideas to improve it.

Thanks gentlemen.

Liksa

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Lisa, don't change your habit of keeping it clean. 10 years from now, you'll still be looking at a 'new' machine. Like papachaz has said, it also allows you to spot something that may be broken or damaged. Also shows that the machine has been maintained properly. I too, wash / clean mine, especially after heavy use.

Very nice job on the hitch weight. It's surprising how they add stability. :drink:

Correct me if I'm wrong....Looking at the pics, it seems that the square stock holding the weights has to be 'unbolted' from the carrier with all the weights on already. It has the "T" piece holding the weights from slipping off. If you reverse the square stock with the T being inside (towards the tractor) (drill a hole to insert a bolt through the shank to hold in place) then you could add / remove weights by just sliding off the rear. A simple removable pin could be used to hold the weights on.

Forgive me for trying to change your design, it's just a habit , always trying to improve things. Again, very nice job fabricating a useful tool.

By the way, haven't seen you posting much...must mean your having a lot of fun with your toy!:cool2:

 

[atsah]

I was kidding about how clean it is, my 2014 looks like it just rolled off of the assembly line..

 

[mslisaj]

Thanks "LSmt125 owner" for your comments. Keeping the machine clean for me is easy and after all I bought it new and it was "clean". I understand folks that use their tractors all day long every day don't have the time or inclination to wash and clean a tractor after working and working it all day. If I worked this little tractor every day and was exhausted myself when I got off it I'm not sure it would get cleaned. But I'm retired and I'm proud of this machine and it's just fun for me to keep it looking like new. It's always greased and ready to go if I need it. I'm just a fussy old lady when it comes to this stuff.

It was really interesting for me to drive it with these weights for the first time. As I pointed out the backhoe is heavier but it's also top heavy and with the rigid rear axle when a tire falls in a hole or climbs a rock the tall backhoe really causes a sway that is felt. The tractor is not close to tipping by any means but these low weights really made the tractor feel like it's hugging the ground.

Intesting idea about reversing the "T-bar" holding the weights. Originally I never planned on removing weight for the "perfect" balance. I had also though of buying a scraper box just for the purpose of "ballast" too (I could also use the box for other things of course). But the reality is those weights each are about all that I can handle by myself individually. The 65 pounders I can lift and carry a very short distance but the 100 pound weights I can't lift and can only get them to their edge. I would stand them up and slip the bar through the hole on each weight. Then take a 5' digging bar and use that leverage to stand the stack up on the T part of the retaining bar vertically. Then I would place the three point hitch on that and bolt it together. I work and live alone so I have something here that I can handle. The way I have bolted this together keeps the weights tight so they don't rattle or move around. When I took the weight pack or "heavy hitch" off the machine I put it outside where I'll store it and blocked it up so it won't roll around and disconnected the three point and drove away. But your idea is valid and could be easily converted. Then the T-bar wouldn't need the T. I could pin it to the hitch and it would stick out like a stinger. I could adjust the height of the three point and then roll and slip on each weight on the "stinger" and then use a bolt to retain the stack. That idea actually would have been simpler and it shows what a second set of eyes on a project would reveal.

On not posting much lately well, I do check the board every day but most of the post recently have been from folks with bigger tractors with other issues that don't apply to the little MT125. But if I have something that I can offer I will always jump right in there. I've received a lot of help and idea's from this forum so I'm loyal here.

Thanks again for your comments,

Best regards,

Lisa

 

[mslisaj]

I was kidding about how clean it is, my 2014 looks like it just rolled off of the assembly line..

No, I really enjoyed the comment and it made me smile. I looked again at the pictures and have to agree the tractor looked like it sits on a shelf :laughing: as the tires were that clean.
It's all good.

 

[atsah]

No, I really enjoyed the comment and it made me smile. I looked again at the pictures and have to agree the tractor looked like it sits on a shelf :laughing: as the tires were that clean.
It's all good.

There is a guy a few towns over from me, he had a small Massey TLB for a few years, never washed it and it never spent a night indoors, the paint was faded and it looked like it was 40 years old, he just bought a 1736 TLB brand new, and it sits outside like the last one, what a shame to spend so much money on something and leave it out in the weather. Resale can't be good on a tractor that has been faded and out in the rain/snow it's whole life, I know I wouldn't buy a tractor that was left outside that's for sure..

 

[RayfromTX]

I wouldn't worry about paint. I have a 1974 fiat allis motor grader. It has lived it's whole life outside. The parts that wear in the sun are hoses, tires, wiring and on the newer tractors I would worry about plastics parts and electronics. My tractor lives inside.