Hd springs with soft camo kit

[Tact]

I've read somewhere that if a Curtis soft camo kit, which has the glass windshield in front and back with camo doors and metal roof, installed that HD springs must be installed becuse of the extra weight. I've also read somewhere that the HD springs were not actually needed. Can someone spread some light on this subject? I'm fixing to get the kit this weekend and I've been reading horror stories about the installation of these springs.

Thanks,
Fred /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[chief5]

I haven't installed any, but the only complaints I have read were regarding the lift kits. I think this was because you will be increasing the distance between the top and bottom mount. The HD springs (actually struts) should be the same length as the light duty struts and therefore shouldn't be too bad. By the way, my dealer said they were only $60 per pair.

 

[lloyd123]

I would think that if the only difference between what you're installing and the regular hard cap is the doors then you'd probably need the HD springs. The hard doors don't add that much more weight.

There are two options - either the HD springs or the HD strut. Either way you'll end up with the same suspension as the only thing that makes the HD struts heavy duty are the springs. The damper is the same in both the HD strut and the standard strut.

Here's a edited copy of a post I did from last year:

"I checked out the parts manual again to see the difference between the factory installed strut/spring, the HD spring kit and the HD strut kit. It seems that the HD strut kit has the same part number for the damper (shock) as the OEM strut. In fact the only difference between the OEM front suspension and the HD strut suspension are the springs. The HD strut kit has the same springs as the HD spring kit so it seems that the only reason to buy the HD strut kit instead of the HD spring kit is that you won't have to disassemble the stock suspension to install the HD spings - you can just swap out the assembled McPherson strut assembly."

I've included an attachment that went with that post

 

[Tact]

So is it the weight of the front windshield that requires the HD springs? It's hard to imagine that this kit would add that much overall weight to the machine that HD springs be required.

 

[lloyd123]

Actually I don't believe the HD springs are required if you have just the windshield. But he'll also be adding the rear window and the metal roof which will add a bit to the total.

I take the hard doors off during the summer and they aren't so heavy that they can't be lifted while aligning the hinge pins.

This could be borderline as the HD springs are designed to support the hard cap plus the plow. Perhaps a Kubota dealer could shed some more light on this.

 

[Tact]

Actually I'm buying this kit from an individual. He owns a trucking co. and the carton that contained the kit was damaged putting a small golfball size dent in the roof, barely noticeable, and now he owns it. The doors are metal frame but canvas wrapped so I don't expect them to have much weight. Other than the front and back glass and metal roof there's not much overall weight. I think I'm going to pass on the HD springs for the time being unless some of you thing that these springs are a must.

 

[bczoom]

Tact

Give it a try without the suspension changes and let us know.

I have so much "stuff" on mine that I would expect I should have gotten the heavier suspension but I've had no problems. I also changed from the HDWS to some aftermarket tires which are 1 1/2" taller and haven't had any problems.

Brian

 

[Tact]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tact

Give it a try without the suspension changes and let us know.

I have so much "stuff" on mine that I would expect I should have gotten the heavier suspension but I've had no problems. I also changed from the HDWS to some aftermarket tires which are 1 1/2" taller and haven't had any problems.

Brian )</font>
Brain,

Where have you been, vacationing???

Fred

 

[Tact]

Brain,

I've been trying to find the post from someone in this or another forum regarding my same situation with the springs. Did you happen to read that post or recall where it was posted? It was just posted recently and I've been trying to like heck to find it without any luck. I beleive they said that the HD springs were not needed but were recommended by Kubota.

 

[bczoom]

Tact,

I've seen this subject kicked around so much on every forum and have found the concensus. The answer is... there is no concensus. There are thoughts, recommendations, considerations... but I believe it came down to personal preference/need and $. If you have the full cab, plow... you probably do need it. For those of us with slightly less, it comes down to need. Try it without. If your front end sags, tires rub or whatever, then go for it.

Here's a test (if you haven't mounted the cab and stuff yet)

Get a measurement from the floor to a reference point above the suspension in the front (like the bottom of the front receiver). Get an estimate of the weight (or just take all the boxes full of stuff you're about to mount and set them on the hood or something). With that weight now onboard, re-measure. Once done, tell us your findings. Depending on your terrain, tires... (how much suspension travel you may encounter) that may determine whether you will have an issue. My guess would be if you loose about 3/4" or less, you'll be fine.

Myself, as previously mentioned, I've added a bunch of stuff to my RTV. Probably in the ballpark of 3-400# worth. I also put on taller tires which made me loose 3/4" inside the wheel well. There is only 1 condition where I can get just a little rub. Put 12-1300# of logs in the box and come down a steep trail into a hard left turn at a decent pace (now there's significant weight on the front right tire). I get just a little rub.

As for a discussion on this, try this thread

Brian