Ford 800 front weights

[milkie62]

When plowing and disking my 800 Ford is very light in the front end.Has anybody built anything to add a couple hundred pounds to the front end of these tractors to keep them on the ground when turning ?

 

[1S1K]

You can get half moon weights for the front wheels, I have a set on mine 50LBs ea, for 200 total, easy to put on or off, each held on with 2 bolts, they are still available from several tractor supply places. Also, I know there is a single weight for each side you can add on the opposite side of the half moon weights for additional weight, not sure how much those weigh but I do fine with mine and my tiller weighs about 1000lbs and it turns fine.

 

[milkie62]

Wish i could find some close to me.

 

[1S1K]

My uncle gave me a set, he had 2, you should ask around, you might find an old farmer that still has parts for the tractor they got rid of long ago. That was the case with my uncle, not sure where you are but there were a lot of these weights made. Here is a set on ebay, way too much for the condition but these look exactly like the type I have, Ford 8N 9N 2N NAA Jubilee 600 800 3000 3600 16" Tractor Front Weight Set | eBay

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We found just filling the front tires helped more than expected on our 801's.

 

[milkie62]

We found just filling the front tires helped more than expected on our 801's.

Thats what I have is an 801.I thought with maybe filling the tires and just bolting a chunk of steel by using the extra holes that are in the front axle.I figure I should beable to pickup 150-200 lbs.

Also on another note I have an MF 65 same size tractor and engine but slightly longer wheelbase and it really needs no extra front end weight.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That could work. It is getting harder to find used weights for the old stuff because scrap prices running 10+ cents a pound. I got a pile of scrap together after someone burned a old store that we were using for storage but before I got it hauled off someone else did it for me but I do not know who.

Our MF 265 has a number of weights on the front (where I would prefer to have a bumper with a hitch) but that still is not enough going up hill with the very heavy 6' bushhog type cutter lifted but my sister found one in a field and I am going to add it to help. I really hate having to steer with the brakes when that happens.

 

[milkie62]

Well I just picked up a Miller 875 plasma cutter and can cut up to 1 1/4" .I could make up a couple of neat custom weights for the front end now .LOL

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Sounds like a cool project for your new cool tool.

Do be careful. An 800 light on the front often can mean the load on the lift is a bit much and if pulling that the hitch point is too high. In both cases it can be a safety issue. When one can only steer with the brakes one has little control especially not on level ground. I have spent thousands of hours starting in 1962 on two 800 Fords that were our only tractors on the farm. They are awesome tractors and the first really work horse Ford based on some time on the red belly and 600 series especially when equipped with the double clutch feature.

 

[milkie62]

Sounds like a cool project for your new cool tool.

Do be careful. An 800 light on the front often can mean the load on the lift is a bit much and if pulling that the hitch point is too high. In both cases it can be a safety issue. When one can only steer with the brakes one has little control especially not on level ground. I have spent thousands of hours starting in 1962 on two 800 Fords that were our only tractors on the farm. They are awesome tractors and the first really work horse Ford based on some time on the red belly and 600 series especially when equipped with the double clutch feature.

Well I have a MF 65 which is basically same size.The ford is just way too light when lifting discs and 3 bottom plow in the turns as compared to the Massey.Never measured it but I think the Massey is a tad longer wheelbase.Now you got me thinking and I will have to go measure it.Will get back.I remember when I was a kid we planted potatoes with a horse-drawn converted to 3 pt hitch planter.We used an 8n for this.I had to sit on the hood to keep the front end down on the turns.i was about 13 and maybe 85 lbs. Can somebody say OHSA.LOL

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I saw a guy doing the hood thing when trying to move some junk cars with no wheels.

At 18 the summer after high school hauling hay I would ride to the front fender of a 1956 GMC 1.5 ton truck with a bed extender. It would run 70 MPH and steering traction was a problem due to the long bed loaded with hay. To make it more safe I would lock my legs around the turn signal mounted on top of the fenders.

At the same time I remember trying to drink a Pepsi out of a glass bottle going down the road but the wind up the nose would not let the drink run out of the bottle because the pressure inside my mouth was so high. We we all summer without an accident thankfully. If my son did that I would kill him myself I expect.

We had a neighbor with a 65 MF and I was sure it outweighed the 801. They may just be longer. I know the 265 has a lot of nose in front of the radiator.

 

[Capricious]

I have seen all sorts of heavy scrap/junk bolted to the front's of tractors.

This is what i bolted to the front of mine: a 38" long section of steel "I" beam that I found years ago when out boating:





I am guessing it weighs about 75 to 80 lbs, and if that is not enough weight, other stuff can be piled onto it/hung on it (just make sure nothing will fall off and get run-over). I cut a 1/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch groove in the web on each end that I can "hook" the link of a chain into (like a grab hook) for tying-down on the trailer.



EDITED TO ADD: If you want the weight on the wheels, you will find information all over the internet for making homemade concrete wheel weights.