FEL Counter-balance

[r0GuE]

I just ordered the FEL for my existing 2 month old BX2200 (see bota-buying)
Now I wonder the best way to counter-balance the rig. My dealer gave me the following options.

bolt on wheel weights - cheapest method
fill wheels with something - similar price I think
3PH weight (non-kubota brand) - few hundred more

My thought is, why buy just weight. Why not buy a usefull tool for a little more money. I think I would like to have a core airator (sp?). I don't know who makes a good one for the BX. I don't think I would have much use for the box scraper.
Any suggestions on usefull (heavy) implements and or aerators for the BX?
Thanks,


Rogue

 

[Bird]

Rogue, I agree that just weight on the 3-point seemed like a waste of money to me. I generally use by box blade, but the tiller, or either mower works, too. The only trouble with using the mowers, in some cases, is that they stick out too far behind the tractor. But of course, I do have water and antifreeze in my rear tires, more for traction than for a counter weight for the FEL. Sorry, I don't know anything about the aerators.

Bird

 

[Wheeldog]

I just read your other post about the FEL, and you mentioned maybe moving some snow. How about picking up a 5' rear blade? It will give you about 200-250 lb of weight. I used my FEL alone to clear snow from my 150' driveway last season - it is great to cut back banks and for short runs, but it does not work great as a plow. I'm thinking of a rear blade for this reason, plus I can see some use grading dirt, ditching, etc.

Just a thought.

Rob

 

[r0GuE]

I'd like to try the FEL first.
After all, I told my wife that this is such a great idea since it can do both! ;^)

Rogue

 

[tsh3]

rogue,
A cheap and useful implement is a carryall, about $70 at most farm stores.
A carryall is easy on, easy off the 3ph.
Put a plywood platform on.
Fill a couple of cinder blocks with cement.
Stick in a piece of rebar bent in a "U" shape for a handle ( before cement sets up ;-)
You now have cheap weights and a new implement for well under $100.
I seem to remember that one of these blocks is about 70 lbs, but I'm not sure.
One block is also heavy enought to keep racoons out of the birdseed can.


B7500 with FEL and nothing but air in the tires.

Steve

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya
one thing i have seen is 12 gal or 44 gal drums filled with cement and a 3point hitch made up (so drum is implement)very cheep and close to back so don't get catched up turning etc etc .i'd also run with ya idea of buying a tool insteed of paying out bucks on lead ,i can give ya more info on drum if ya want
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[tcarter1]

My dealer filled the rear tires with water/antifreeze when he installed the FEL. This helps with traction while mowing or otherwise using the tractor for non-FEL jobs. For ballast when using the FEL, I connect either my tiller or boxscrape. You will need something on the rear for sure. In regards to an aerator, the very best is the Aeravator manufactured by First Products. This unit is amazing and will aerate hardpan ground with no problem. Cost is a major drawback. The 40" model suitable for a BX is over 2K. I justified it by hauling the unit around and doing aerating for overseeding which is very common here in the South.

 

[MarkV]

Rogue,
As JD Kid has said, a rear counter wieght made of concrete is about as cheap as you can get. All you need is a draw bar that goes between the lower lift arms, a plastic garbage can, some bags of ready mix concrete and you are good to go. Cut some holes in the garbage can for the draw bar to go through, fill with ready mix and set an eye bolt for you top link to hook to. Once it sets up you are ready to go. I would think 250 lbs would work just fine for the BX.

MarkV

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rogue,

I use a rear blade as counter weight for my FEL. Sometimes it can be a pain though because it catches uneven ground at times...you can't lift it up very far. However, it does a good job of scraping and works well as a counter weight. I think it weighs about 370 pounds. It's a Woods brand rear blade, very beefy.

 

[r0GuE]

Assuming I buy an implement to counterbalance the FEL rather than simply buying/using weights, Also assuming that I do not load the tires (kind of seems like a potential pain, and my lot is pretty level).
How heavy of an implement should I make sure I get? Tillers seem to be in the 300 to 350 range. Is that definatly enough? Otherwise I may have to go with the core aerator which is almost 450. I think the tiller would be more usefull.

Rogue