Ford 545D Counterweight Ideas

[oldforgepower]

We just picked up a newer Ford 545D mfwd tractor for shop use, and I am looking for ideas on necessary counterweight for the loader.

The idea is to use the tractor w/ pallet forks and a boom generally. We have an older 545 backhoe which we've used for similar work in the past, but we're trying to avoid to clumsiness of having a backhoe hanging off this one. I know the loader is rated for around 5k lift, but obviously 800 lbs of wheel weights in the back don't allow the tractor to even get close to those weights as-is.

Has anyone run this tractor or something in a similar weight class and has ideas on:

A. The proper amount of counterweight to allow the loader to operate at full capacity
B. A system to hook the weights to the 3pt arms?

I was thinking of getting a rear suitcase weight bracket, but it seems no one makes one big enough. Building is always an option, but I'm sure there has to be a better way.

It seems like we need at least 2000 lbs of weight back there, so the usual concrete barrell, weight box, etc. won't hold enough to get that high.

 

[TractorTech]

Generally when we set them up for grading, they were either ordered with 2 sets of rear wheel weights or we added them during predelivery. I thought that the aftermarket weight was about 500#. Then watered the tires (So. Cal. so didn't worry about freezing). The added box scraper probably weighed 12-1500#.
You could add the weights and a box scraper to accomplish or makeup a 7-1000# weight box/suitcase weight setup like you talked about for the difference.

 

[oldforgepower]

This tractor has smaller wheel weights on both sides of the rim -- we re-mounted them on the ag tires when we got the machine (they were on a set of turfs,) and I would say they are 200 -- 250 lbs each.

We are going to mount a weight box to the 3 pt and try that out. We were talking the other day and it dawned on us how easy it is to pick the rear end of the 545 backhoe up when picking a lot of weight -- in other words, I guess the loader is much stronger than it should be. We'll see what 1000 -- 1500 lbs of cast iron in a weight box does to help. We may need to come up with something heavier!

 

[Sportsman762]

I have a similar problem with my industrial tractor. I have a 55 gallon drum on a heavy metal frame and frequently with I had more weight. If you need a monster counterweight look at some of the tractor or construction salvage yards, they always have concrete counter weights off of machines that they parted out and frequently will sell them for next to nothing.

 

[oldforgepower]

We just parted out a 1080 Massey, so we're going to try to stuff the two rear hubs and the two front hubs into the weight box, and a 500 lb Ford wheel weight if it will fit. That shoud be over 2k lbs, so I'll let you know how that pairs up with a boom for lifting. If we need to go heavier, we will. I don't want to kill the rear hydraulics with that much weight on them all the time, either.

 

[TractorTech]

With the wheel weights you already have , that should be more than enough.
Fasten a chain on either side from the top link pin on the tractor side to the lower pins on your weight box mount to hang the weight thereby relieving the 3pt from weight.