Front Weight Carrier

[MoDeer43]

I just took delivery of a seeder for my MF240. I didn't think about it at the time but it now looks like I am going to need a front frame weight carrier and some weights. Does anyone have one for sale, I was looking for the one that has a front drop hitch pin too. I also need some weight if you want to get rid of it all.
Also while I am thinking of it, how much can the 3 pt hyd system safely lift without doing damage. ?
Thanks for the help.
Mark

 

[whis]

Try water in front tires

 

[sawtooth]

Lift capacity is 3100lbs at 24" behind rear balls. However it will be hard to ever use this without some serious weight on the front. Im sure you don't need close to this anyways. For front weight i would consider front wheel weights which should add about 180lbs up front and makes the tractor more stable than front suitcase weights. Either one would work great though. You would need to call them to find your local dealer. Good luck.

http://www.northstatesalesco.com/

 

[lambs]

I'm not familiar with your tractor, but on my 1010 I took a few measurements and noted the distance from the rear axle to the front of the tractor was about double the distance from axle to end of lift arms. So you may find you need half the weight of the seeder on the front.

Once I got my weights, I had a machine shop fab up a front weight rack that bolted to the front of my tractor and tapered to the correct size height to carry the suitcase weights. They also welded a floor in it, with a couple cut outs to drain water, so I could carry something in it, in my case, chain. I got this idea from my Dad's IH 806 diesel, which had a similar set up.

 

[MoDeer43]

I did some research and found that there are many aftermarket companies that make the weight carriers. Some are in England and too costly to ship to the USA. There is a company in IA that makes the aftermarket too, and the carrier was about $100 plus $85 to freight it to me. Then add on the cost of the weights. I called a few MF dealers and found that the one where I bought my MF240 has one he thinks will work plus some weights. The close proximity to me should save a lot on the shipping charges. My next question is if this " should work" carrier will bolt on. I also plan to try and see how hard it would be to have my current brush guard incorporated to the carrier. I do like the idea of have a storage box where I can put some chains also, thank you for that idea. I will post updates when I make my next trip to the farm. Thanks to all.

 

[MoDeer43]

Well I went to the MF dealer this past weekend and the weight carrier bracket he had looked just like the one offered by the aftermarket folks, so I was hopeful it would be a bolt on proposition. I had to fight about a foot of snow to get to the barn, but once inside it was a simple job of taking the 4 bolts off that held the brush guard on, then bolting the weight carrier on. With some wiggling it fit perfect. I added 3 80lb suitcase weights to the front and it brought everything back down. When I let the clutch out to move things around, if I did it other than really slow, the front end wanted to hop a bit. So I am going to add 2 more weights and that should do it. I like the suitcase weights because they are easier to remove when I don't need them. Thanks for all the suggestions and help

 

[EverythingAttachments]

It sounds like you found what you needed.

For others looking for weights, here is our simple to navigate tractorweightsonline.com website where we offer suitcase weights/brackets and wheel weights.

The weights ship free when the order exceeds 1,000 pounds. For weights/brackets purchased separately, weighing less than 1,000 pounds, freight must be calculated by us and charged accordingly.
Travis