Front weight

[JazzDad]

Problem: BIL's old Ford tractor does not have a rail on which to hang weights. We were picking up 1500 lb hay bales and the wheelies were causing the wives additional laundry work.

Solution: An 80 lb weight for $8.

How: (Not an original idea) Pour an 80 lb bag of concrete mix (6,000 PSI) into a well-oiled recycling tub. Push the rebar/ bolts into the wet mix. Let it set, covered and bathed in water, for 28 days. Bolt it to the grille guard. Move hay without fearing for your life.

 

[JDeerekid]

Very nice. The mold looks all fancy like it is factory made. Is 80lbs all you need to couter balance 1500lbs?

 

[Runner]

Looks like a winner. Paint it blue to match the tractor and you're good to go!

 

[JazzDad]

Hey, Kid. I guess it works because the hay bale is close to the back wheels and that weight is way out in front of the front wheels.

And I thought of painting it blue, Runner, but that would raise the cost of the project!

 

[Soundguy]

Very nice. The mold looks all fancy like it is factory made. Is 80lbs all you need to couter balance 1500lbs?

Remember.. rer wheels ar ethe fulcrum / pivot.. got lots of weight forwrd of that. and not much other than the bale behind it... thus things like the tractor trans, engine and front axle are already built in counterbalances... looking at the distance.. your front weight may be 6-7' away from the fulcrum. rememer what weight does as you move it away.... ever torque a 400# bolt down using a long cheater bar and measly 150# person.. it's mechanical advantage..

soundguy

 

[jinman]

I love that idea for a front weight. You could even arrange something on the bottom of the recycle tub to make a permanent smiley face or other design for the weight. The only problem I see is there is a lot of additional stress on the bumper bolts that are mounted through the front axle. You might need to use grade 8 bolts to ensure the bolts do not snap off if you hit a big bump.

 

[scott_vt]

And I thought of painting it blue, Runner, but that would raise the cost of the project!

Good Mornin JazzDad,
Great idea, it even fits the contour lines of the old Fords ! Paint it blue and youve got a winner !

 

[flaming-ace]

nice.

We have an anvil on the front of one of our fordsons, that works well, but we need somthing heavier so we have got a oil barrel full of concrete waiting to be chained to the front, but whether we get around to putting it on the front is a different story.

Heres a video which shows the anvil:
YouTube - Our Fordson Major with Hiab and Log Splitter

 

[WilliamBos]

Problem: BIL's old Ford tractor does not have a rail on which to hang weights. We were picking up 1500 lb hay bales and the wheelies were causing the wives additional laundry work.

Solution: An 80 lb weight for $8.

How: (Not an original idea) Pour an 80 lb bag of concrete mix (6,000 PSI) into a well-oiled recycling tub. Push the rebar/ bolts into the wet mix. Let it set, covered and bathed in water, for 28 days. Bolt it to the grille guard. Move hay without fearing for your life.

Excellent Job!! Add blue on next years budget, and you are good to go!!

 

[neucam]

Concrete has always been cheap weight, it the front grill guard has the strength to add weight then add as much as you need. If the front tires are almost off the ground no stress on the front end. Otherwise the front end weight is not anymore than an empty front end loader without the bale on the back. A front end loader would add maybe several hundred pounds to the front end.