Simple front weight design 2.

[volp]

The simple front weight design in my earlier thread worked but the front end was still not firmly placed on the ground with a heavy back load.
I went to the local iron merchant and bought two pieces of steel 400 mm long and 100 mm square each with a weight of 32 kilo (about 70 pound).
Welded a 180 mm long bit of L-shaped steel to the side as you can se below.
The other got the same steel on each corner sticking down 70 mm. Then a piece of rebar as handle to place it on the first weight. Hopefully 64 kilo is enought.
I have not painted it orange yet.

Anders

 

[bmblank]

yeah, that oughta do it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Forum Fiend v1.3.2.

 

[mendonsy]

That design should work fine. I have had something similar (but smaller) on my old Case garden tractor for about 35 years.

 

[skeets]

Yes Sir that should keep the front end down real nice

 

[ShaunRH]

Nice...

I might have to steal that if I have to remove my existing factory front weight... it's the LA524 weight set...

 

[volp]

Any thoughts on which color I should use for the weights? Black or orange? Maybe something completely different?

Anders

 

[85Hokie]

Volp,

I like what you did - I have been wanting to add weight to my B7100......thinking concrete, this gives me a new perspective on it !!! Excellent work.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Should work. heres mine.

 

[85Hokie]

Should work. View attachment 15985 heres mine.

Looks good too - might even say you could "run into" somethings and not have to worry about wrinkling some sheet metal! I can see this in my future too!

 

[volp]

Should work. View attachment 15985 heres mine.

Nice touch with the warning beacon and tool box!
Whats the weight in kilos?

Anders

 

[Tooljunkie]

Im guessing 70 kilos. Its 3 times the size of the previous steel block that was there.it made a big improvement, at least now no more wheelstands with my 60"finish mower.

 

[volp]

Should work. View attachment 15985 heres mine.

Forgot to ask. How is your weight fixed to the frame?

Anders

 

[volp]

After returning to Mallorca this autumn I have finally put some colour on the front weights. I also put a piece of hose on the rebar handle to get a more comfortable grip.
One thing which is not in the picture is a strap to lock the weights so that they don't fall off in bumpy terrain! Do not ask how I found this out.

Anders

 

[KRT]

Here is my version.

 

[volp]

KRT, that's beautiful!
Have you manufactured it yourself?
We want to know more!

Anders

 

[KRT]

Thank you volp.

To answer your question, I work in a sheet metal shop so I have access to a lot of the technology for working metal including CNC turret presses, LASER's, press brakes, welding, powder coating, etc. When I need, or find an excuse to need something for the Kubota I try to design and fabricate it rather than purchase it. We built a rear blade/box blade a few months ago and the weight of it made the front end light so that created an excuse for front weights.

The weights were LASER cut from .250" thick steel and 5 of them are bolted together with the center one having the extended handle out of the top. Each set of 5 plates weighs approximately 26 pounds and the mount that we fabricated holds 10 sets. One long 1/2" bolt goes through all of them and keeps them tight.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Sorry,Volp vever saw question til now. J-hooks hold weights on securely. Need to countersink holes so nuts are flush with top surface. The contact hood when i open it.

 

[skeets]

KRT, do you use a plow of blower on that tractor, if so how much clearance dose that set up give or do you have to remove the whole thing

 

[KRT]

Skeets, I do not have a blower and just purchased the Kubota in June. My current intention is to utilize the rear blade for snow removal. The front weights were designed to match the ground clearance of the front axle.

In the picture the rear blade is set up as my version of a box blade to level the gravel drive. For winter I intend to remove the sides and utilize the casters on the blade to keep the gravel in the drive and not in the yard.

If your clearance question was in regards to the rear blade, it is not currently installed but I would be happy to measure and answer you when it is on.