Middle mount weights?

[kdlklm]

has anyone made their own weights that are mounted underneath the tractor where the mower would go. How much would a guy be able to add, my Kubota BX 1830 came with all the mounting brackets, for MMM. I don't want to add them to the front, because I don't want to make the machine any longer. I don't have an MMM, but I would like to be able to detach it like a mower.

 

[Runner]

I'm with you on this. I'd like to add weight to my tractor, but can't put it on the rear because I have a rear mower. Don't need it on the front. Don't want to fill the tires. Already have two weights on each of the wheels.

I have given some thought to finding several pieces of that 1" thick metal plate, like they use to cover holes in the street for this purpose. Not sure where to get something of that size that would be cut to order.

I also agree with and like your idea of using the MMM attaching system to hold the wieghts. Now, all one of us needs to do is build it.

Edit: Just had a thought (don't do that very often...) maybe make a thin block of concrete, like formed up with 2x4's, and cast the mounting points into the block that would mate up with the MMM mounting points.

 

[radioman]

A 60 inch MMM deck weighs about 250 lbs. using Concrete for weight instead would be only about 4-5 bags of 50lbs of cement . This is a interesting idea , keep us posted. you probably would need to keep the mower deck height dial at top setting all the time to keep it from drifting down.

 

[kdlklm]

I did think about concrete, but I don't want to worry about it breaking. And I'm sure steel would take up a lot less space. The only problem I have with my BX 1830 is that the mower only attaches at two points not four. I could use the holes in the frame where the front-end loader mounts attach, because I don't have a loader.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You could add 300 pounds with a concrete slab 36" wide by 18 long x 6" thick. Add some 4X4 concrete reinforcing wire fabric for stength. Embed your attachment steel into the concrete with an L shaped flat bar embedded about half to 3/4 of the depth. Let it cure for at least 14 days and you would not have to worry about it breaking. That would be about 3 each 90 lb sacks of concrete mix and a little wire and flatbar. Probalbly less than $30 in material.

 

[kdlklm]

here is a few comparisons of approximate weight difference between materials.

216 cubic/in concrete = 18.75 lbs
216 cubic/in steel = 61.25 lbs
216 cubic/in Tungsten = 151 lbs

 

[Iplayfarmer]

here is a few comparisons of approximate weight difference between materials.

216 cubic/in concrete = 18.75 lbs
216 cubic/in steel = 61.25 lbs
216 cubic/in Tungsten = 151 lbs

That's it! I'm switching to Tungsten for my tractor weights . Everyone start saving your burned out lightbulbs.

 

[kdlklm]

yes I know, it just happened to be on the list. I thought it was interesting to see how heavy it was. But it's got to be cheap!

 

[czechsonofagun]

Middle mount weights? That's not a biggy, you just need to eat more

 

[kdlklm]

it's funny you say that, my brother weighs about 100 pounds more than me, and it actually makes a noticeable difference.

 

[kennyd]

The only major problem I foresee is trying to lift it to get it mounted...

 

[LBrown59]

it's funny you say that, my brother weighs about 100 pounds more than me, and it actually makes a noticeable difference.

I'm glad i don't weigh 100 pounds more than me.

 

[radman1]

Are you guys serious? Adding mid mount weight seems like a lot of work for little gain, unless you need more overall weight for 4WD traction. Otherwise, hang it in the front or back where it is needed. Use cement? 36"x18x6" slab of cement for 300 lbs. Love to see that hanging from the bottom of my tractor.

 

[art]

On a subcompact it could be benificial as a belly pan to keep sticks out of the fan!

 

[Gary Fowler]

Are you guys serious? Adding mid mount weight seems like a lot of work for little gain, unless you need more overall weight for 4WD traction. Otherwise, hang it in the front or back where it is needed. Use cement? 36"x18x6" slab of cement for 300 lbs. Love to see that hanging from the bottom of my tractor.

You must realize that we are talking about a 13.5 PTO hp tractor. I couldnt find any weight stats on this tractor but from photos I would say that is likely 20-30% or the weight of this tractor. So that 300# would be more in line with hanging 2000 lbs from your 5530 which would be a substantial amount. We were after all looking at cheap ways to increase tractior and stability for this little workhorse machine.
IF money is not an object, build a steel billet box and pour it full of lead. That would be as compact as you can get without putting in tungsten or GOLD if you are really loaded with bucks. How about spent uranium. Even heavier than lead but maybe a little harder to come by, but heck money is not a problem right.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Actually Art, I think midmount weight would be ideal for this tractor rather than front or rear. Middle weighting would allow the weight to be used effectively by both the front and rear tires. Just advise to watch out and not overload the frame for this little SCUT.

 

[jwstewar]

Actually as weird as it seems, if I'm doing something where I think it could be iffy as far as stability goes, I like to leave the MMM on. That gives me 450#s of weight down low. Makes a world of difference in the stability of my New Holland. Plus the 450#s gives extra traction as well. As long as clearance isn't an issue, I'll leave it on.

 

[RobJ]

has anyone made their own weights that are mounted underneath the tractor where the mower would go. How much would a guy be able to add, my Kubota BX 1830 came with all the mounting brackets, for MMM. I don't want to add them to the front, because I don't want to make the machine any longer. I don't have an MMM, but I would like to be able to detach it like a mower.

You guys with the BX tractors just need to get a bigger tractor, stop trying to weight down the little ones!!