Counterweight for TC33D

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Since I added the 7308 loader to my NH, I needed to add some weight to the rear for ballast. Since we also use this tractor extensively for mowing with a 6' MMM, I didn't want to load the tires as that would rut the lawn in the spring. I needed some form of weight that was easy to add/remove as I needed it. I whipped up this nifty 3PH counterweight from a bent up old carry-all frame I got at TSC years ago used , bent & forgot about till now. I used a old counterweight from a small older forklift (easy for me since I'm in the lift truck business) and boxed it in with strap iron & angle. I wire wheeled & cleaned the entire thing after welding it up, and coated it with spray bed liner from a fizz can I got at autozone. It weighs in at about 950 # and does the job perfectly. Plus it comes off in a couple minutes when I don't need it. I added a reciever tube to the bottom in case I want to move a trailer or pull a wagon. Cheap & effective !!

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

another pic close up off the tractor

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

another...rear view

 

[LarryD]

Now that's as good as any store bought counterweight, and I'm sure a lot less $. Good idea on the rattle can bed liner, shouldn't see any rust on that baby.

The only counter weight I have is my box blade. It seems to be faily effective although it hangs back pretty far and and requires attention on my part when working in tight areas. I think I'll save that picture and keep an eye out for an old fork-lift weight. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[ronjhall]

Nice project Tom. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Do you have any more of those weights?

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice project Tom. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Do you have any more of those weights? )</font> Ron .........I'll have to take a look out back of the shop. I have a "king" row of retired lifts & may have a couple more weights. I have to look to see if they're small enough to use, as most forklifts use weights way too big for our tractors to handle. Some have some smaller weights added to the sides & they are the ones to use. I'll check on monday..............

 

[jimmysisson]

Do you guys who use 3pt mounted counterweights chain them up, or just let the hydraulics carry the weight when you're running? Seems it would be easy to chain or strap-iron from the top link mount to the lower link pins to take the pressure off the lift cylinder. Just curious. I use an older Gannon box weighing maybe 400# and it hangs out 3' or so. Should I chain that? I'd like to let it down to the floor when I'm not using the tractor to unload tires, bearings, etc.
Tom, yours is nice and close-in, good for maneuvering, nice work.
Jim

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

I thought about chaining it up, but really the top link in the 3ph isn't made to handle all the weight of the counterweight. The counterweight is well within the 3ph capacities listed in my manual, & I do lower it to the ground when the tractor is parked not in use.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( or just let the hydraulics carry the weight when you're running )</font>

I built my counterweight so that it was not touching the ground when the 3pt was all the way down. When parked i have a set of blocks for it to rest on.

This baby set me back almost 15$ i think..

Soundguy

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Chris.........That looks like a bowl of cream of wheat they gave me at church camp in 1970..........in fact it is probably the same one !! (Looks like a good cost effective solution to the cw problem.)