Another use for free weights

[Couple of Achers]

I keep finding more and more uses for these barbell sets I've picked up on the used market. This year, I am switching from a front blade and rear blower, to a rear blade and front blower. I have used this box blade before for snow and it works great for pulling the snow away from in front of the garage doors. However, this year with the front blower, I needed a little more weight on the 3 pt. Here's 178 lbs of additional weight. I simply flipped the scarifiers over and pointed them backwards. The bar rests between them and the A-frame of the 3 pt. hitch. Some heavy duty zip ties and I'm all set. Hopefully this will give me the additional weight to counter balance the new blower.

[bpattie]

and the other use would be when you are on the back 40 you can take a break and do some curls

[jjmarotz]

Yep, those weights are handy!!!! Rake, blade, snowblower, and front end weight....

[Ductape]

Originally Posted by Couple of Achers

I keep finding more and more uses for these barbell sets I've picked up on the used market.

You must be one MASSIVE dude to have so many free weights !!


On a serious noote though...... don't the sand filled plastic weights split in the winter ?

[Couple of Achers]

They haven't so far. I think the reason they don't is for them to split, water would have to get inside them, then freeze. Which would then expand and crack the casing. Since they are actually filled with a light weight cement mix, not sand, almost like a mortar mix. There isn't much room inside them for any additional water. They are plugged so there is no easy way for water to enter. In my case, any moisture that gets on them is already frozen. (ie: snow), so if any snow did get inside them it is already frozen and would not expand any further.
You can pick these weights up at garage sales for pennys on the dollar. I have over 400 lbs of them and the make very simple, affective counter weights.

[BXpanded]

Originally Posted by Couple of Achers

Since they are actually filled with a light weight cement mix, not sand, almost like a mortar mix.

Hmmmm! considering the intended use as weights, I'm not sure a "light weight" mix would be the best description! LOL:

[sandman2234]

I need some of those barbell weights for a trenching blade I made out of 1.25" x 6" x 6' long piece of steel. I added it to the front of my 3pt trailer hitch, but when it pops thru a root, it often bounces upward, giving me a scare since the back is so close to the rear of my seat. I need to add to a round bar mounted in the receiver hitch, so it won't bounce as easily, but can be removed before dismounting the blade, since it is already heavy as it is.
I want to hold out for some of those all metal ones, so I don't have to worry about them freezing, but haven't come across any yet. May just torch out some plate to make weights if nothing comes along.
David from jax

[jjmarotz]

Sandman.....

Can't imagine you would have a problem with freezing that hard in FL

I am on season #3 with my weights and yet to freeze or crack one. Granted my tractor does stay inside the shop when not in use, but not always heated.

[Couple of Achers]

Originally Posted by jjmarotz

Sandman.....

Can't imagine you would have a problem with freezing that hard in FL

I am on season #3 with my weights and yet to freeze or crack one. Granted my tractor does stay inside the shop when not in use, but not always heated.

That's the first thing I thought of too. But even if they do freeze and crack, the stuff that is in them won't run out anyway. It is some kind of cement mixture.

[radioman]

how about a bunch of front car disc rotors all placed together ? now that will be HEAVY.