Traction GC1705 Safe Working Angle

[WranglerX]

Bit of a story here..... Was working a JD L120 riding mower on back side of property... It died (runs like a dead deer) and went and got the GC 1715 to rescue it.... Found out I could wedge mower into bucket by taking front approach to mower and the front bumper of mower would wedge under bucket lip with wheels in bucket... Came down the road (slight angle) the brakes seem a little light... Got to bottom and was in front of garage and went to step off tractor with bucket/mower about 18 inches off ground, though it would be cool picture... As I stepped off the tractor started to pivot on front wheels and let mower down onto driveway.... Got back on tractor real quick and let the hydraulics go down to put mower on ground.... JD L120 weighs 520 pounds by JD specs... Learned something there real quick and reinforced the feeling rear of tractor got light when heavy load in bucket...

Solution was to scrounge up some steel plate and angle iron and weld up a 2x2x1 steel box (4 cubic feet) which was filled with about 8 60 lb bags of Quickcrete... Conundrum here is most information say 1 cu ft of concrete weighs 150 pounds, so box should be 600 pounds (plus steel) , but 8 bags of Quickcrete only comes to 480 pounds.... Any way I have probably 500 lbs plus on rear of tractor for ballast ... Made it cat 1 quick hitch compatible and QH adds about another 70 pounds....

Bottom line is made a world of difference on stability, able to work heavy bucket loads better and brakes work better with heavy bucket load..... I'm now a true believer in ballast.... Specially since I never exceeded load weight of FEL...

Dale

 

[Industrial Toys]

I won't do things with my own tractor that friends who grew up on a farm just jump on and don't think anything of it. I kind of feel foolish, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Massey2019]

Reading how a fairly small amount of weight changed the dynamics was interesting.

Grew up in Ohio farm country and was around and operated big equipment for quite a while.
I think back on the total lack of training and safety awareness and wonder how I made it to an advanced age.

I知 going to look into the best way to build/buy a ballast box.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Hi Massey2019,
Here is a link to a thread I started about my weight box build:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/190530-made-3-point-weight-box.html?highlight=

Hope it gives you some ideas.

I also loaded my tires with "Rim Guard", aka beet juice that a local tire shop, and I also purchased online a pair of plastic rear wheel inserts that I had to fill with concrete and install.

Given all of that and my property is mostly level I have had a few moments when you feel that pucker sitting in the tractor seat!

Good luck, KC

 

[Massey2019]

Like the weight box you built. I don稚 want to spend allot getting one and will look into the concrete box idea.
Thanks

 

[WranglerX]

Here is mine as described in above portion of tread...



Dale

 

[MF RED in MT]

Like the weight box you built. I don稚 want to spend allot getting one and will look into the concrete box idea.
Thanks

Hey Massey2019,

Yes its less $$$ to build items for yourself, a friend of mine with a new orange tractor purchased a carry-all for the rear and added 3 wooden sides to it, sort of looks like a chariot. He has vertical tool holders, chainsaw holders and in the winter he just adds bags filled with gravel (local Lyons Club makes these) for his weight. I joke with him that his whole family can ride in the carry-all.

KC

 

[Massey2019]

I致e seen some poured concrete weights on other areas in this site. I purchased a 3 point adapter that had a 2 receiver for $73. Believe or not, found on Walmart.
Have it on the tractor now and it is well built.

Think I may buy another and build a form box to encase it in concrete. Then, I would have something I could hook up easily and provide traction and balance.

Thanks

 

[irvingj]

Ditto -- when using the FEL for anything with some weight to it, I put the BH on. Similarly, I NEVER use the BH without the FEL on, and something heavy in it. Learned this the hard way....

 

[Massey2019]

Will be taking the loader off today getting ready to mount the mower.
Going to build my own weight block so I can use the loader and feel a bit safer.
Thanks