Front counter weight

[cperky]

I want to add some weight to the front of my MF 1140. The suitcase weights are $40 each for 25lb weight. I thought I might take a piece of RR rail and mount it to the bumper instead. Does anyone know of a good way to cut the rail to the length I want. I figure 2' ought to be about right. I plan on using a couple of heavy bolts to attach to a couple of holes already in the bumper.
What do yall think?

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does anyone know of a good way to cut the rail to the length I want.)</font>

An oxy-acetylene torch, and a bunch of time on your hands? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The one time I cut a length of RR, it took me about 30-40 minutes with the torch. Granted, I was 16, and had never held a torch before in my life /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Dave

 

[Lazy]

Hi
I have used a cutting torch to cut some pieces to make anvils. A cut off saw might work as well or better.


Charlie

 

[DougM]

If U have a FEL there is only about 4 in. of space there so
look at it real close or u will have to re do it ( do not asked me how I know this )
DougM

 

[cperky]

Well I got it cut with a torch. But now I am trying to make holes for the bolts. Wasn't able to blow through with torch and already ruined a drill bit using a drill press. I guess i'll try a plasma cutter next. Any suggestions as to how to make me some bolt holes?

 

[Tractors4u]

Burning through with a plasma cutter may be difficult as well. Is there anyway you could attached it U bolts?

 

[cperky]

Hadn't thought of that but is may be possible. How heavy of a u-bolt do you reccomend? Are they usualy available at my local hardwaqre store?

 

[Tractors4u]

How heavy is your front weight going to be? I have 2 planters that I just mounted to a homemade toolbar and I would guess that they easily weigh 200 lbs each along with 50 lbs of seed in them and they are mounted with two, 1/2" dia. U bolts on each planter. I would think that your piece of railroad track would easily be held in place with a couple of 3/8" U bolts. I would check your local hardware stores, my planters came with the U bolts from the farmer.

 

[cperky]

I would guess that the rail I cut is going to weigh about 100 lbs

sounds like the u-bolt idea would work and would be alot easier

 

[CTyler]

I'd drill the holes in my drill press with a good bit like Titanium etc.. Use a cutting fluid or oil and clear the cuttings frequently. Use a slow speed on the press and take your time.

I drilled 4 9/16 holes through 1" of steel with no problems at all using that method. The 4th hole cut just like the first using 10-30w.

 

[TBAR]

Weld the bolt heads to the RR rail to match the hole spacing on your bumper. With the help of a friend, lift the rail into place, slide the bolts through the holes and put nuts on the back side. While this is not exactly what your looking to do HERE are some things I have done with DIY weights.


TBAR

 

[wvhillbilly]

Here is how I did my front counter weight.. I went to the scrap yard and bought a 14 inch piece of 4 x 6 3/8 walled tubong. Got a 1 inch solid steel bar. Took u-bolts and bolted the bar inside the tube so that I have about 12 inches of bar sticking out each side. Then I went to good ole Wal-Mart and bought barbell weights. three 25 pounders and three 10 puunders per side. Grand total of 210 pounds...Excluding the weight of the tubing and bar which probably adds on another 20 pounds or so. The neat thing about this is you can adjust different amounts of weight for different applications and it was a LOT LOT cheaper than buying the suitcase weights from Kubota.
Dave

 

[wvhillbilly]

Here is another view

 

[cperky]

Thanks for all the help guys
Here is a pic of what I ended up with

 

[cperky]

side view