Lead shot to add weight to implements?

[millsan1]

I have a BX. Accordingly, my rear implements are fairly lightweight.

I would like to add weight and thought about welding some more steel onto the implements, but then I thought about just buying some lead shot, cutting open some of the members, fill with lead shot and then weld cut end closed again.

I figure adding a hundred or two hundred pounds to box blade and rake would help engage the ground better, and this is the easiest way to do it.

Am I nuts, or is this a reasonable idea?

 

[jeff9366]

The BX series lacks the adjustment holes in the right and left Lifting Rod stirrups, which allow both a Box Blade and Landscape Rack to drop down an additional 3" to 5". These supplemental adjustment points phase in on the Kubota L series.

My first suggestion is to buy a Kubota 'L'.

My second suggestion is to buy a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment from the TBN store. This bucket attachment is useful whenever you would use a Box Blade or a Landscape Rake. Use the Ratchet Rake as optional implement weight when desired, secured with a couple ratchet straps or industrial strength cable ties. A 52" Ratchet Rake weighs 65 pounds.

Adding weight to BX implements only helps "some", because of the limits of the BX Three Point Hitch.

Kubota L3560 photos:

#1 Standard position for Lower Link, stirrup pin in UPPER adjustment hole. Note Lower Link angle.

#2 Optional position for Lower Link, stirrup pin in LOWER adjustment hole. Note Lower Link drop.

 

[millsan1]

New tractor is not on the options list right now, unfortunately.

I am not concerned about the depth I can drop the implement, it is the light weight causing me consternation. I hit rocks, etc, and the box blade will bounce over them. If it was 100-200 lbs heavier, I figure that would reduce the bounce.

 

[KYErik]

Changing the angle of the box blade will help it cut better. Try shortening your top link.

 

[millsan1]

Changing the angle of the box blade will help it cut better. Try shortening your top link.

Thank you for your reply. I have played around with this stuff and it does make a difference.

I should be clear, when I say "rocks" I mean 6" - 10" diameter stones. When my 200LB box blade hits a 50LB stone, it jumps. And there are a LOT of stones on my property.

 

[jeff9366]

If you could adjust your Box Blade lower, it would not bounce over rocks until much more force has been applied by your Box Blade.

Moderate additional weight will help some. Much more weight will not help more than the moderate addition.

The further to the rear weight is carried the more effective it is.

This from my experience with a B33000SU.

 

[4570Man]

Lead shoot is too expensive. Have you looked what a 25 pound bag cost?

 

[prichard]

When my 200LB box blade...

200lbs? Are you sure? That's really light. My tractor isn't much bigger than yours and my BB is 500+. I think I'd get a new BB.

Lead isn't cheap. You happen to have it around or are you buying it? I'd throw some cinder blocks on it. You could easily set up a tray on top that would hold the cinder blocks for a lot less $$$ than lead shot. You could also fill with concrete where you intend to fill with lead.

 

[Deere Dude]

For extra weight I put a heavy duty barbell and weights along the back. They are cheap. Must have used 300# or so and worked pretty well. Only bounced off once.

 

[oldnslo]

For extra weight I put a heavy duty barbell and weights along the back. They are cheap. Must have used 300# or so and worked pretty well. Only bounced off once.

I second that idea. Seems like used weight sets are a real common and inexpensive. If you have welding capabilities a simple bracket can be added to stack the weights on.