BX2660 FEL

[FSE]

My FEL came in so the dealer came by and picked up my BX to install it and is going to bring it back Friday. In the mean while I am trying to think of a good way to counter balance the FEL load. I know I can put on a BB or load the tires but I really don't want to go that way if I don't have to. I have an old empty beer keg that was given me and I thought about putting a 7/8” rod thru the middle and filling it with cement and then put it on the 3pt hitch. Do you think this will work or is a good idea or is it trouble in the making?

[Deerlope]

Fluid in the tires is the best because that way the weight is not on the tractor suspension. The beer keg will work and will cost less. Make up some kind of a hitch to entend outside of the keg just in case you need to hook onto something.

[AHNC]

Rather than using concrete or mortar mix I'd suggest putting a hose bib on it and filling it with water. 8.33lbs/gal. the problem with the concrete is that once you fill the keg you then have to deal with the weight. With water you can at least drain it and move it. Then again, moving heavy things is why you bought a tractor

[BotaBX24er]

Just filling the tires won't be enough. Using the keg is no different than a BB (just a little less out of your wallet), so I would say go ahead and agree that filling it with water would be better but then you would have to worry about rust

[TripleR]

I went with wheel weights as I prefer them to fluid and not much difference in cost. I agree, while you can haul stuff on flat ground with fluid or weights, you have to be very careful and I wouldn't recommend it. A keg/barrel or some such will work with sand, water, rock, cement etc.

[radioman]

the keg barrel could work. isn't made of aluminum? If you fill with water, I'd be worried about the hole you made enlarging and eventually rip. To be honest, I have no idea how thick the metal is. if it was filled with concrete, then nothing to worry about. IF you go the concrete route, think about how you can make it a bit more useful. do you want to add a plastic tube in center for holding garden tools? Do you need to tow trailers often ? then add a flat bar. Whatever you do- make sure you rig up something for the top link bar to attach to, otherwise the keg is gonna swing back and forth alot and hit something.

Really- I have fluid in my rear tires for ballast and they make a world of a difference then without on my BX. I used BX for 2 years without fluid and then added them and I love it. never again without it. If your tractor is ALREADY at the dealer, call them to see if they can add rimgaurd or windsheild fluid. I wouldn't add calcuim cloride since its on a homeowners lot and most people take pride in thier lawns. if you get a leak in rear tire, you will get a bald spot. That's why I prefer rimgaurd. won't hurt anything.

It won't hurt anything for making a concrete keg ballast. at the most you will only lose money on the few bags of cemet and its not expensive. When I was making stuff for my 3 pt, I used scrap 1/2' galvanized water pipe and cut to length. it's just about perfect for 7/8 OD diameter.

[FSE]

The keg is made out of aluminum. What I was thinking about doing is putting the rod from the top to bottom and use a 7/8 rod. That way I can turn the keg on its side lower the hitch and side the rod in and having holes drilled in the ends on the rod put the hitch pins in. It would hook up like a cross bar. Then I can lift the keg and with the rod being thru the center and it lying sideways it won't rock or move when the tractor moves. The reason I was thinking of using concrete is I don't have to worry about sealing any holes. And when I am done with the loader I can just drop the keg and roll it out of the way.

[radioman]

good point FSE. build away ! OH don't forget to post pics of your work progress.

[KeithInSpace]

Not to oversimplify, but I've had great luck just using my 48" box blade. It weighs plenty, but I also use it in conjunction with rear wheel weights (80# each side).

And it has a myriad of different uses...shovel carrier, strap hooker-to-er, root ripper-outer, as well as a somewhat uncomfortable seat in a pinch. I don't make an effort to have more stuff laying around than I need to by combining functions...and a beat up beer keg sounds like a one-purpose item.

[CHDinCT]

Originally Posted by FSE

The keg is made out of aluminum. What I was thinking about doing is putting the rod from the top to bottom and use a 7/8 rod. That way I can turn the keg on its side lower the hitch and side the rod in and having holes drilled in the ends on the rod put the hitch pins in. It would hook up like a cross bar. Then I can lift the keg and with the rod being thru the center and it lying sideways it won't rock or move when the tractor moves. The reason I was thinking of using concrete is I don't have to worry about sealing any holes. And when I am done with the loader I can just drop the keg and roll it out of the way.

Sounds like a plan to me. Only thing I'd be worried about is whether the 7/8" rod would bend with all that weight on it, especially if you start bouncing a little, which you WILL do with a load in the FEL and all that weight off the 3PH.