Factory wheel weights were too expensive!
- Thread starter keeney
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Bob_Trevithick
Platinum Member
Hi Keeney,
What I did was get one of those dirt scoops for the 3pt hitch. Load it up with a few hundred pounds of sand bags, and voila!
Plus, the dirt scoop will come in handy for lots of things during the summer..
It works great, and it puts the weight out behind the tractor..
I plowed snow up hill without even bothering with 4WD or diff lock. Or course, maybe I could have done the same thing without the weight. I have lots to learn. The neat thing about the dirt scoop is, you just unhook it from the hitch it about one minute. I bet the wheel weights take at least five minutes. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
What I did was get one of those dirt scoops for the 3pt hitch. Load it up with a few hundred pounds of sand bags, and voila!
Plus, the dirt scoop will come in handy for lots of things during the summer..
It works great, and it puts the weight out behind the tractor..
I plowed snow up hill without even bothering with 4WD or diff lock. Or course, maybe I could have done the same thing without the weight. I have lots to learn. The neat thing about the dirt scoop is, you just unhook it from the hitch it about one minute. I bet the wheel weights take at least five minutes. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Keeney, The threaded rod in the center bolts the weights tightly and they do not move or rattle at all. I have been using them for 3 or 4 years now, removed and reinstalled several times, and never had them get loose or rattle. When I was first thinking of the design, I was going to use a smooth rod in the center with a pin at the end to hold the weights on. I decided on the threaded rod with a nut to prevent weight movement and rattles.
Andy
Andy
bgott
Veteran Member
Looks great! There's one thing I see that you need to address. Put a flat washer in between the lock washer and the wheel. The split in the lock washer is going to turn and line up with the slot in the wheel and it'll lose tension. If you drop your weights in the field it will mess up your whole day. 
jyoutz
Super Member
Nuru, if you lived in the Southwest US, I'd make you a good deal on my dirt scoop. But the freight costs would be prohibitive if you're not in this region. I bought and used my scoop for about a year and a half before buying my loader. If you don't have a loader, they are an essential implement. But once I got my loader, I have only used it a few times.
Bob_Trevithick
Platinum Member
<font color=blue>...I am looking at a dirt scoop to perform some duties until I get the loader (or if I don't).</font color=blue>
Hi Nuru,
Yes, it's often called "The Poor Man's FEL." I don't think I can really justify the, what, $1500 or so a loader costs, and I really wanted a real front blade with hydraulic angling for snow and other things. Maybe someday I'll decide I need the loader, but for now I don't see any compelling reason to get one. I have one hill of good dirt that I want to move, and I think I can do that with a combination of the blade and dirt scoop. Once that's done, the jobs I foresee will be mostly of the mowing, garden (tilling, landrake, bottom plow) and snow pushing variety. No real digging needed, no logging, etc. The dirt scoop is only around $200, so how could I go wrong? Right now, it's loaded with sand bags, chains, etc., with a tarp strapped over it and a small shovel bungied to the top. Kind of an ideal back weight for snow pushing.. doesn't stick out very far, doesn't get in the way much, I can easily add more weight if I need it, and the weight is ideally positioned out behind the wheels. It's light enough to easily hook on and off, too. I think you'll like it if you get one! They have 24 and 30 inch models from King Kutter.. I got the 30. Sure looks rugged and well-built to me. Let us know if you get one, and how it works for you.
Hi Nuru,
Yes, it's often called "The Poor Man's FEL." I don't think I can really justify the, what, $1500 or so a loader costs, and I really wanted a real front blade with hydraulic angling for snow and other things. Maybe someday I'll decide I need the loader, but for now I don't see any compelling reason to get one. I have one hill of good dirt that I want to move, and I think I can do that with a combination of the blade and dirt scoop. Once that's done, the jobs I foresee will be mostly of the mowing, garden (tilling, landrake, bottom plow) and snow pushing variety. No real digging needed, no logging, etc. The dirt scoop is only around $200, so how could I go wrong? Right now, it's loaded with sand bags, chains, etc., with a tarp strapped over it and a small shovel bungied to the top. Kind of an ideal back weight for snow pushing.. doesn't stick out very far, doesn't get in the way much, I can easily add more weight if I need it, and the weight is ideally positioned out behind the wheels. It's light enough to easily hook on and off, too. I think you'll like it if you get one! They have 24 and 30 inch models from King Kutter.. I got the 30. Sure looks rugged and well-built to me. Let us know if you get one, and how it works for you.
Jyoutz; I live in the Northeast. But thanks for the consideration. I am looking at a 30" (>$200), or 36" ($300). I was told that shipping from west coast would be around $100 for shipping to the terminal in my area. So that increases my range. Yes it looks like the dirt scoop will definitelyt be inthe plans for this year along with the MMM.
Nuru
Nuru
Bob, very similar to my situation, and the scoop is looking good for the immediate future. I am looking at the following scoops:
KingKutter 30" - $240 in Mass
Howes 30" at NorthernTool - <$200
China Depot - 36" - $329
Jim's Tractor - 36" - $299
I also have a blade (54" hydro plow). I got that instead of the loader as I figured it would be more pratical first than the loader for the winter.
Nuru
KingKutter 30" - $240 in Mass
Howes 30" at NorthernTool - <$200
China Depot - 36" - $329
Jim's Tractor - 36" - $299
I also have a blade (54" hydro plow). I got that instead of the loader as I figured it would be more pratical first than the loader for the winter.
Nuru