Think I need a better tractor - B6000 with slasher puts front wheels off the ground

[greyman56]

Oh, and you confuse me with the B6000 and the ZB6000 interchange terminology. You said you had the Zen Noe (sic) "repaired" and now refer to a B6000?? If you have a "Zen-Noh" it would be a "ZL1800" or something similar?? The B6000 is a Kubota.

Yep, sloppy keyboarding. Its a Zen-noh ZB6000 which I was told was basically a kubota B6000 made for a rice paddy cooperative way back then. Its one of the first they made apparently and the pto spins opposite direction to normal tractors.

 

[Utopia Texas]

Years ago we had a Satoh Bull on the property that was rear heavy and needed cheap front weights.
Bought a 3 foot long piece of railroad track and bolted to the front. Problem solved.

 

[Utopia Texas]

Years ago we had a Satoh Bull on the property that was rear heavy and needed cheap front weights.
Bought a 3 foot long piece of railroad track and bolted to the front. Problem solved.

 

[N2DFire]

Thanks for replies.
The slasher is 155kg (~340lbs). That's a biggish weight and could cost a bit when there is no mounting bar to speak of.
I'll look into the costs of this option.
The mechanic have quoted $450 to fabricate rear jockey wheel, plus fitting.
After 2 weeks still no price on front weight mounting. Could end up expensive.

I am in agreement with the masses.
Fabricating some type of weight system to the front would be the first thing I'd do.

I attached a picture I found and it looks like you could easily fabricate some type of mounting plate on the front of the frame and then the sky's the limit on what to use for weight.

If you can find someone selling an old weight set (weight bench, dumbells, etc) you could use the weight disks / plates from that easily enough or just build a box and fill it with rocks.


Unless this is a Per Wheel Price and not for the pair, the second thing would be to find a new mechanic.
55615DC Slasher Level Wheel - Daken 405 Series $250.00 (inc GST)
Slasher Level Wheel

If it is per wheel then I'd keep the mechanic :laughing:

Best of luck

 

[John_Mc]

As others have noted, suitcase weights or a homemade version of front weights are the way to go.

As far as your JD lawnmower: I had the same problem using an old craftsman on hills. I just put on the tire chains I use when removing snow in the winter and it solved the problem. The chains stay on year round now. On my previous riding mower, I just swapped out the turf tires for ag-style tread. That also worked fine (I'm not going for the manicured, golf-course lawn look, so the occasional tread mark on the lawn does not bother me.)

 

[greyman56]

To everyone that replied with ideas on front weights, thank you. If this works, it will be easier and probably cheaper than selling one tractor and buying another tractor in the $5000 price range. And I still might needs weights on the front of the new one.

The mechanic has envisaged a mounting for barbells (gym equipment) on the front just like Steve suggested. Second hand barbells are not common in this area, perhaps in the city might be easier. The concept is sound though.

I am also considering making some concrete blocks in 50kg sizes with inbuilt reinforcement rod loops to hang them from a frame extending out.

Thanks fellas. I have more searching to do.

 

[greyman56]

Unless this is a Per Wheel Price and not for the pair, the second thing would be to find a new mechanic.
55615DC Slasher Level Wheel - Daken 405 Series $250.00 (inc GST)
Slasher Level Wheel

If it is per wheel then I'd keep the mechanic :laughing:

The little 1M slasher does not have any mount points for rear wheels so the mechanic would need to fabricate the mountings. That's why its expensive.

 

[MortOz]

If you can spend some money, you could look into an offset flail mower or verge mower, depending on how far away from the tress you can run the tractor as they mature. A bit of money, but probably the only mower you would need - something like Flail Mower Verge Mower Heavy Duty 1.4m Working Width PTO Powered Bush Cutter | eBay or one of the Hayes ones that offset: FLAIL MOWER - Hayes Products - Tractor Attachments and Implements (Hayes import, probably from China, but it seems to be good stuff - I have a round bale grab from them, and am very impressed with the quality and strength of construction.)

For the orchards in our part of the sunshine state (citrus, mangoes, tree nuts), most growers use a glyphosate herbicide in close to the trees when weeds are small, and an offset slasher or flail mower to do the bulk. Flail mowers are popular, as when you prune, you can throw the prunings into the inter-row spaces and then run over with the flail mower to mulch them up. A single good flail mower with hydraulic offset would cost a bit now, but would be the only mower/mulcher you will ever need (well, except for the lawns around the house!).

Good luck, and let us know what you decide

 

[N2DFire]

The little 1M slasher does not have any mount points for rear wheels so the mechanic would need to fabricate the mountings. That's why its expensive.

Well bummer. At least the pricing makes a little more sense now.

Good luck in your search. I think you're on the right track with a weight system vs a new tractor.

 

[powerscol]

I second getting a swing arm flail as it would be the perfect solution for you. Iowa Farm Equipment has a great selection for you to look at and then find a dealer down under.. How far are you from Perth. I have a friend there.