Home made suitcase weight bracket for Kubota BX

[Kubota-guy1911]

I didn't buy the FEL so I needed front ballast when using my carryall, boom pole, or rear blade. Not wanting to spend the $$ for the factory Kubota suitcase weights and bracket plus the shipping costs, I decided to make my own. I found some Jinma 12kG weights with free shipping on E-bay. It took 10 of them to get to the maximum recommended by Kubota. I used 3/8" X 4" and 3/8" X 2 A36 steel. I will publish the final painted product lsoon. Tomorrow I'll buy some Kubota gray paint for top coat. Here are the pics:

#2611 shows the main piece squared up and tacked into place.

#2612 shows how the weights will hang.

#2614 shows one of the welds close up. The little "dimples" are where I peened the weld while it was still hot to relieve internal stresses. Something my father in law taught me. We was a welder for a company in St. Louis that built highway bridges. Stoop Bros. if I remember the name of the company correctly. He died about 6 years ago and was one h@ll of a welder and I still miss him today.

#2615 shows another view of the weld partly ground smooth.

#2617 after the fillet weld was made on the underside. Plent of heat there.

#2620 drilling the weight bracket holes. Sorry about the mop behind the lamp in the background.....don't know how that got there.

#2621 primed and waiting to dry.


Final pics will have to wait a week or so...heading out of town next week and not sure exactly when I'll be back.


kj

 

[Ductape]

That looks good....... very professional. I look forward to some pics of it installed. A front weight bracket is something I've been meaning to get around to making for my B series.

 

[powerstroke444e]

looks good and should be tough to bend. I agree with the overprice weights.

 

[Kernopelli]

Looks great and practically identical to the Jinma bracket in design but about twice the length. I picked up a Jinma last year to resell and kept the front weights and bracket for myself. I figured I would never run across a cheaper set. Jinma parts are notoriously inexpensive but I am amazed that you were able to get them with free shipping...I assume they were palletized and drop shipped? If it's not too intrusive, can I ask what you had to give for the 10 weights ( if you'd rather not say that's OK)?

 

[Kubota-guy1911]

Thanks for the kind words. I learned to weld from my father in law, he was a pro worked for a company that built bridges down in St. Louis.

If I remember right the weights were $15 or $18 dollars each. I get my mail at the post office in our little town and the boxes were beat up quite a bit....literally falling apart. They came in 3 boxes. I was surprised all the weights were still in the taped up box. The post mistress had me come around the counter and haul them out to my truck.

I should have the final paint on this coming weekend.

kev

 

[Kernopelli]

Thanks for the kind words. I learned to weld from my father in law, he was a pro worked for a company that built bridges down in St. Louis.

If I remember right the weights were $15 or $18 dollars each. I get my mail at the post office in our little town and the boxes were beat up quite a bit....literally falling apart. They came in 3 boxes. I was surprised all the weights were still in the taped up box. The post mistress had me come around the counter and haul them out to my truck.

I should have the final paint on this coming weekend.

kev

That's a steal, sounds like it barely paid for the shipping!

Ten 25lbs suitcase weights for $150-$180...I would hate to guess what Kubota, JD, etc would get for similar items. Again, great job.