Front weights for YM2000

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I recently bought a YM2000. It needs some front weight. There is an ad in CL (no pictures) for 2 Yanmar weights that reads as follows:
Weights are 3" thick and 18" diameter. Weight approximately 100 lbs each. 4 bolt pattern, approx. 7 1/2" between.

Will these fit the 2000? Asking price is $100 for the pair.

 

[California]

18 inch diameter weights would be those that bolt onto the outer faces of the rear wheels to improve traction. But 7 1/2 inches between bolts? I thought it was more than that.

If you need front ballast to keep the nose down you need 'suitcase' weights to hang on the front bumper. These are often around 70 lbs each and you need four or more. Expensive to buy new, maybe cheap or up to 90 cents / lb used on Craigslist. You don't need perfect Yanmar/Deere suitcase weights, anything similar can be shimmed to stay on securely. In this photo you can see I used weights off a much larger tractor that have a 'C' shape interface, and shimmed the bumper taller with a chunk of 4x6 to make a snug fit. Then added an anvil (a chunk of railroad rail) wired in for a final 30 lbs at the extreme front.

This isn't rocket science, anything you can fabricate for similar results will do. Just don't make a front bumper so long side to side that it can hit a tree or your barn when you turn sharply. The heavy part should be as far forward as possible.

 

[kenmac]

B-4 I added my loader. I welded a 3/4 pipe to my front bumper. Went to academy and bought weights and slid them over the pipe. It was cheaper than the suitcase weights to do it this way

 

[clemsonfor]

I heard someone say that the weights you can buy at like home Depot for JD fit yanmars. I saw it here but I don't remember details.

You could do the wight thing like kenmac. Or like others with a piece of railroad rail. I put a solid steel bar and a lead filled 3" diameter pipe on the front of mine to get 180ish extra pounds up there.