Front ballast / Suitcase weights - DIY or cheap

[travelrider73]

I need some front weight on my tractor when moving one of my heavier non-ground engaging implements (a wood chipper).
I'm hoping for a DIY / cheap option because I was a little surprised at the cost of proper suitcase weights.

I do want the weight removable without it being a major project. My perfect setup would be something like six 50lb suitcase weights for a total of 300 pounds. That way I could lift them off by myself. Any DIY options to accomplish the same thing?

The one thought I have had so far is to bolt a rod to the front of the tractor and then go to the used sports equipment place and buy some 50lb barbell plates -- then just stick a nut on the end to hold them there.

Any other ideas?

 

[Big Barn]

?

The one thought I have had so far is to bolt a rod to the front of the tractor and then go to the used sports equipment place and buy some 50lb barbell plates -- then just stick a nut on the end to hold them there.
?

Please don’t do that to your Kubota.

 

[ovrszd]

Please don’t do that to your Kubota.

I have a vision!!! Mostly of me skinning my shins on the bolt sticking out!!!

 

[ovrszd]

What are your fabrication skills?

 

[Big Barn]

I have a vision!!! Mostly of me skinning my shins on the bolt sticking out!!!

Depending on his tire size, that bolt may be closer to waist height, Richard....

 

[newbury]

Depending on his tire size, that bolt may be closer to waist height, Richard....

It's a freakin B7100!!

 

[Big Barn]

It's a freakin B7100!!

Lol. Had to google it. Not familiar with ‘botas.

 

[Fade2blk]

Go for it op, most of our machines stay hidden on our properties where nobody is judging your ballast.

 

[Stimw]

I use an old cast gear on my Crapsman tractor for ballast.
Years ago I heard that tractor pull guys would make fake weights out of balsa wood to fool competition who would count their weights trying for the same results.
The old saying- Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

 

[travelrider73]

It's a freakin B7100!!

Yeah, that's why I need ballast (and a bigger tractor). I'm starting to shop for a 40hp-ish tractor, which is why I don't want to spend any money on this ballast. if it was for long-term, I wouldn't mind, but since this is a relatively temporary need, I'm trying to be cheap. Heck, I'm not even sure this tractor is going to run this chipper. That's test #1. It's a 650 pound 6" chipper and my PTO is 5hp short of the minimum recommended. I am hoping I can slip the clutch slowly, get it running and then just not try to make it chip big logs for now, but that's a different topic.

The topic at hand is: I can lift the front of my tractor off the ground with one hand right now with the chipper attached and raised up. I can't steer! LOL.

 

[travelrider73]

I have a vision!!! Mostly of me skinning my shins on the bolt sticking out!!!

Good point and one I was concerned about too... A spear sticking off the front of the tractor isn't my favorite option. So, looking for ideas.

 

[Semper Paratus]

Add a FEL?:thumbsup:

 

[travelrider73]

Add a FEL?:thumbsup:

Way too much work and expense after the fact on an old tractor like I have. That's another reason I'm shopping for a new tractor. New one will have a quick disconnect FEL.

 

[ruffdog]

Do you have anything heavy that would fit in a 2" receiver? These tractors are quite handy if you fab up a hitch for the front.

 

[travelrider73]

Do you have anything heavy that would fit in a 2" receiver? These tractors are quite handy if you fab up a hitch for the front.

Now, I like that idea... A class 3 hitch on the front and then I can add a weight hanging off the hitch... Not sure how to attach the hitch. Might require some fabrication. There's nothing up front to easily attach a hitch to on this tractor.

 

[Stimw]

Yeah, that's why I need ballast (and a bigger tractor). I'm starting to shop for a 40hp-ish tractor, which is why I don't want to spend any money on this ballast. if it was for long-term, I wouldn't mind, but since this is a relatively temporary need, I'm trying to be cheap. Heck, I'm not even sure this tractor is going to run this chipper. That's test #1. It's a 650 pound 6" chipper and my PTO is 5hp short of the minimum recommended. I am hoping I can slip the clutch slowly, get it running and then just not try to make it chip big logs for now, but that's a different topic.

The topic at hand is: I can lift the front of my tractor off the ground with one hand right now with the chipper attached and raised up. I can't steer! LOL.

Chippers depend on the flywheel inertia to do the chipping.
While it might bog down with larger wood it should chip well otherwise.
You always have to feather the clutch during start up, I've had 18 hp and up to 60 hp, same for all.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Try Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for used weights...
Sometimes you can get them less than a $1 a pound...
That seems to be the going rate...
Look for scrap folks are looking to get rid of...
Old plows, etc...implements that are no longer used...
Sometimes you can pick up something like that on the cheap and fab it up if you have a torch and welder...
Railroad rail comes to mind also...

 

[LouNY]

A couple of pieces of angle iron bolted to the frame one each side with a board on them and a hefty friend to sit on the board, your all set just don't dump them off and run over em. or a couple of sacks full of sand or gravel.

 

[newbury]

If all you are worried about is weight for moving the chipper around a little bit buy some bags of concrete, put them (unopened) in heavy duty garbage bags and duct tape/tie them to the front. Then you can use them some them time. Don't go crazy driving etc. and you should be OK

 

[dannoGT]

Been thinking of adding 2 in receiver and one of these to front of mine and just use it as a carry all ?