Rear weighting device

[herefromthere]

Nice, compact unit, and great use of recycled materials!

 

[Page2]

30 gallon barrel with the top 1/3 cut off, then filed with 6 bags of concrete.

 

[Jaygyver]

30 gallon barrel with the top 1/3 cut off, then filed with 6 bags of concrete.

The only problem I would have with that setup is the lower links are too high, at least for my usage anyway.

I have a couple of the "square" type ones and one of the connections is higher than the other. I went to dig out a ditch and I couldn't raise it high enough to clear. I used to just leave my 5' cutter on and it would barely clear.

If you don't need to have the clearance then that's probably the easy way to go.

 

[HAR]

As with everything, size does matter and each tractor/setup is different.

When I got my little B7300, it had loaded rears, but I noticed the rear end was still light at times with a loaded bucket. I chatted with my neighbor, a diesel mechanic who frequently works on farm equipment, and asked him to weld up a ballast box for me, which has helped immensely. Basically it will hold 10 solid blocks, for about a 320# combined ballast on the 3PH. Since then, I have noticed a need for a bit more weight, and solved that by ratchet strapping 4 more blocks to this setup. I may have him permanently weld on some added bracing to handle this. [Splitting wedges are low cost shims that keep blocks tight/steady during work]

I do have to admit, the loaded tires were an added benefit and are great. I have mowed with my cousins small JD with his MMM without loaded tires, and it feels much less stable when mowing inclines than with my B7300. Also, I have my rears adjusted wide (per manual) for added stability, at all times.

And, as has often been warned, and often needs repeating, never travel with a loaded bucket raised to height. Always keep the load as low a possible. Save raising the bucket until stopped or nearly stopped at location to dump or empty.

 

[sandman2234]

My JD2555 with 640 loader will dig and pick up a bucket full, right up to where the hydraulic limits are reached without any counter weight on the rear. It also doesn't have wheel weights. What it does have are foam filled rear tires, which are heavy! The previous owner said 3500 pounds per tire.
David from jax

 

[Bruze Heim]

During the winter snow removal, the front loader was overbalanced and the rear wheels were slipping. I welded a basket for the rear hitch and placed 20-millimeter plates cut from Larsen tongue into it. The work became more enjoyable.

Here's what I did with my new-to-me 2013 New Holland. I had this 3-pt. hitch bucket from my old tractor. I drilled holes in the sides for two 3/8" threaded rods to hold the 3/4" plywood in place which holds the gravel in.

I've calculated everything out and with creek gravel/sand, plus the weight of the bucket, it's around 550-580 lbs. I've had a good load of gravel in the front bucket and it seems to be fairly well balanced.