Ballast Anyone Use Bar Bells as Rear Wheel Weights????????

markie61 · Jan 21, 2004

( Is 400 lbs on the back enough for a JD4500? )

Dunno...

It is the max recommended on my TC40D according to the owner's manual. I also have my rear tires filled. Plus, for moving firewood and VERY heavy loads, I have a 3ph counterweight (55gal drum with gravel in it).

Check you owner's manual and/or check with a dealer.

Mark

TheKid · Jan 21, 2004

I don't use bar bell weights on the wheels, but I do use them on my weight box. You can usually get them pretty cheap at garage and estate sales.

Dave___in___CT · Jan 21, 2004

HI...

Got a couple on my rear blade... room for more...

Dave...

zuiko · Jan 21, 2004

I intend to make some brackets for my JD318 at some point but haven't got around to it yet. I might just make something to put them on the back instead of the wheels.

The premade brackets seem to cost enough for what they are, which is why I haven't ordered those.

Also if you can't find used weights in the appropriate size, Wal-mart has them new for $0.40/lb. Cheapest price I've seen on new ones.

Bulverde · Jan 21, 2004

How about the amount of weight??? Is 400lbs. enough? I see that most of you have ordered customer lengths. I assume that this is to allow for more weight. Does anyone know what the OEM weights weigh? I guess that would give me a better idea of how much weight is needed.

Sure am tired of picking up the rear wheels with a heavy load. Makes me a little uneasy /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

keeney · Jan 22, 2004

I used dumbell weights, but without the easy-weight bracket. I just drilled holes in them to match the factory weight holes already in the wheels, painted them yellow, and bolted them on.

This arrangement is not as easy to take on and off, but I just leave them on.

I only put 125 lbs per wheel on my little JD 4100.

I think the JD wheel weights are 60lb each and you can put up to 3 on each wheel.

- Rick

JerryG · Jan 22, 2004

I have a MF 1440, 40 hp, 32 hp PTO it weights in at around 4000 lbs with the loader. I have 400 lbs of weights on it and I don't see any need for any more. I know that you will have people say that you need more, but you need to have as little as you can put on and still get the job done. Excess weights only use more fuel and cause accelerated wear. I use the tractor for blading, brush hogging, running a moldboard plow and anything else you can think of on the farm.

Dave___in___CT · Jan 22, 2004

Amount of weight depend on the tractor... check owner's manual... or dealer...

Kubota L3130 manual says "...max of 185 lbs per rear wheel..."

EZ Weight hardware kit arrived last night... looks fine... instructions are clear enough...

I suspect the center hole in the weight plates may not fit over the 1" diameter mounting rod... hope it does ! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Dave...

MikePA · Jan 22, 2004

I suspect the center hole in the weight plates may not fit over the 1" diameter mounting rod... hope it does ! 
If they are standard weight plates, they will. I believe Olympic plates have a slightly bigger hole.

PineRidge · Jan 22, 2004

Excess weights only use more fuel and cause accelerated wear. 

I agree with Jerry on that statement. I normally run 600 pounds on my TC-40D but when I'm using my pallet forks I increase the weight on the backside to 950 pounds to offset the loads that I am lifting.