Adding weight to a tractor; temporarily?

Lyrch75 · Oct 7, 2009

I run my tractor for a multitude of uses, from hauling logs out of a woods, to mowing a couple yards. The latter makes loading all four tired contraindicated as I am pretty sure that loaded R1's will not do a yard good when I need to turn.

Have a couple ideas on how to add weight, temporarily to the tractor, looking for some feedback.
I have access to a fairly trashed Bobcat bucket. I was thinking of welding in a few peices of iron and then filling the bucket about halfway with concrete. When I need more weight out front I would ditch the working bucket and clip that beast on.
As for the rear, I was informed that one of the big Quick-hitch setups offers a unit that you can hang suitcases on. I haven't seen such a unit and uncertain if it would be a good choice.

What are folks experiences with mowing with rear loaded tires?
Does the front bucket trick look like it might harm the FEL?
Has anyone heard of a Quck_Attach unit that offers that weighting option?

Anyhelp appreciated.
nate

Gary Fowler · Oct 7, 2009

Just do like LBrown and buy 3 tractors, one for every task or 2 sets of tires for each tractor. Turf for mowing and R1 loaded for traction.

Personally I have not seen that R1 tires tear up the yard unless you lock your brakes and try to do a bat turn. If it is wet enough to leave tracks, stay off the lawn. R4 tires are usually wider than R1 for the same tractor so they have let PSI ground weight than R1 plus the tread is shallow but wider so you have more rubber on the ground. Get out your calculator and check the PSI ground loading on each type of tire then figure the difference in ground pressure with each tire loaded with whatever liquid you decide to put vs unloaded. It is not going to be a big pound per square inch difference. For example say your tractor tire has a ground patch of 12" wide by 3" long or 36 square inches of surface area and your tractor weighs 3600 pounds= 100 PSI. If you add 400 pound of water to each wheel you go to 122 PSI which is not a lot of difference in ground pressure to worry about between having loaded tires and empty tires. I would just load them and forget all the stuff that is mentioned here to temporarily put more weight on or remove it for mowing. If the yard wont take the weight of the CUT, get a riding lawn mower with turf tires. There is no such thing as a universal tractor that can do it all no matter how many mods you try to do to it.

schmism · Oct 7, 2009

when ever i need extra weight temporarily i just tool on over to the gravel pile and scoop up a full scoop. poof, 600lbs hanging off the front end.

oh you only want about 300lbs, theres a dump lever for that

LBrown59 · Oct 7, 2009

Gary Fowler said:
Just do like LBrown and buy 3 tractors, one for every task or 2 sets of tires for each tractor.
1*Turf for mowing and R1 loaded for traction.

1*Now that's an idea :
I just ain't sayin what kind of an idea.

Bet them loded tires would be a real joy to handle while switching wheels.

tydp · Oct 7, 2009

???? Need more weight on front than the FEL provides already?

JoeL4330 · Oct 7, 2009

if you have air in your tires, the psi in the tire is the psi bearing on the ground ...loaded or unloaded, as long as the tire has some flex ...but, of course, when loaded the tractor is heavier so the contact patch is larger (so that the total number of contact sq. in. X the tire(s) psi equals the weight of the machine.

Soundguy · Oct 7, 2009

IMHO.. if you have a box blade, just populate it with suitcase weights.. or for cheaper.. get a 5g bucket and make some cement weights.. split the bucket top to bottom, but don't cut the bottom.. use duct tape to close the seems and hold it together.. a strip on the inside down each side, then a bunji cord to hold it together should be fine.. make sure you cas in a loop or some kind of handle... when cured, remove bunji and slightly seperate bucket halves and slip out weight and pour another.. probably lay these at an angle on the box blade.

cound set them in the front bucket too.

cost=concrete and an old 5g pail.

I have a bunch and weight my disc and box blade with them.. way cheaper than 1$/# suitcase weights fromt he dealer..

soundguy