Counter weight for the FEL

Daxamundo · Sep 15, 2004

I read through a post here talking about filling up the rear tires of the tractor to provide a counter weight (or balance) for front-end loader work. I have the 3505 with FEL. I checked with Sales at Bill's Tractor and found that they do have weights for the rear wheels, but they are expensive ($345) and they only provide a total of 150 lbs. Considering that I have a shredder (5") that weights about 500 lbs., it seems to make more sense just to use it (or my box blade) for counter weight. I just don't want to go through the process of filling up my rear tires with fluid. I expect to be lifting some gravel and sand soon.

Any thoughts?

KENB · Sep 15, 2004

I'm in the same situation with my 4110. I am probably going to fill the rear tires. I know a guy that added weight to the rear of his tractor by strapping an old engine block to his box blade for added weight.

Daxamundo · Sep 16, 2004

It just seems like a lot of work to fill the rear tires (based on what I have read from another post here). The advantage is, I suppose, you don't have something sticking out from the back of the tractor (i.e. like a 5' shredder).

JerryG · Sep 16, 2004

Make your own wheel weights. You can have over twice the the weight of the factory weights for about the same money. You can take off wheels weights a lot easier than taking out fluid.

Clyde · Sep 16, 2004

I opted to go with wheel weights versus fluid in the tires. My 4500, 4wd, FEL got a little light in the rear end with a loader bucket full of gravel. I talked to my dealer and I wanted 1,000#'s of wheel weights. He wasn't sure of the price but told me he'd get back to me in a day. The next day he called me back and said if I went to 1,100#'s(anything over 1,000#'s was shipped freight FREE) I got 1,100#'s for $650.00. I had to furnish the 5/8" threaded metal rod but it was a straight forward job. I'll see the dealer next week to pickup the tractor with the new backhoe installed(dealer is 210 miles away). I now have closer dealerships within 50 miles of my house but the original dealer is darn fantastic that I'd follow him anywhere if I had to. He is more than fair, good prices and a man of his word. If you want...I'll ask him where he ordered the weights from.

Daxamundo · Sep 16, 2004

Yes, please do find out where he ordered them from. I have a 3505, do you think they will fit my wheels?

jlb43 · Sep 24, 2004

I am no expert but I do have an engineering backround. I would shy away from any additional weights except for fluid in the tires or wheel weights. Adding weight to an implement puts additional load on the hitch and also the rear axles and housing. Wheel weights or filled tires do not. Just my $.02 worth.

Jim /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 24, 2004

<font color="green"> I would shy away from any additional weights except for fluid in the tires or wheel weights. Adding weight to an implement puts additional load on the hitch and also the rear axles and housing. </font>

Interesting observation, but don't most of the tractor manufacturers RECOMMEND using a weight box? Often they recommend a weight box AND loaded tires/wheel weights. The 3pt hitch is designed to carry the load and is probably the strongest part of the tractor in terms of being able to handles stress, load, and shock.

When using a FEL it is important to understand that proper ballast is more important than simple weight. Ballast is weight in the correct place.

Chipperman · Sep 28, 2004

Friends
I am a firm believer in loaded tires and or wheel weights for all loader tractors. The only exception might be if you mainly use the tractor for finish mowing and the extra weight would be an issue with compaction. I think relying on a weight box or implement is asking for trouble. Will a weight box or implement be sufficient ballast? In many cases absolutely, but the problem is accidents do not happen when you are thinking. They happen when you are in a hurry and you jump on your tractor dig into a load and start down a hill and forgot to attach the weight box. That is just one example. If you fill your tires and if necessary and additional wheel weights, you do not have to remember to hook anything on. I think the closer you get to fool proof the better. We are all human and can forget.
Happy Tractoring
Chipperman /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif