New, compact counterweight w/2 in sq reciever about 800 lbs (cost was less than $20 BTW) + Wheel weights 360 lbs (cost $378) + loaded tires 480 lbs. Total 1640 lbs.
Works for me, for what I do. Different tractors react differently. Obviously your mileage may vary.View attachment 289870
Recently, I was using my L3540 to do some excavating and dirt moving. I had a heavy skid-steer bucket (500+) and had no issues with moving full loads of dirt with just my snowblower for ballast (600# 'ish). Even when I overloaded the bucket in a gravel pile and couldn't lift it, my rear tires stayed firmly on the ground. I do benefit from living on the Canadian Prairie which is pretty flat so stability isn't the same concern for me that it would be for many others.
First, do you have loaded rear tires?
Second, anything in the form of a 3ph attachment makes better use of its weight than a ballast box. Simply because the weight is farther back. 600# that is centered 30" back in the form of a blower does WAY more good than 600# in a box that is in close.
k0ua, the 3pt attachment is off of a junked Bush Hog cutter, The 2 big chunks of iron on the bottom were given to me. I think they were part of a counterweight on a electric fork truck. Between the 3/8- 3X3 angle are two pcs. of 2 X 3.5 in. steel that I had lying around. I welded the reciever to them. The 5/8 rod was just overkill in case I need to lift a lot on the reciever. I thought about more bracing, but figured I'd see how it goes. When I get around to it, I'm going to add a basket to carry chains.
I liked some of the ideas expressed on the forum by you and others, who had attached tool holders or hitches on their counterweights. I felt that with this design I could easily weld on whatever I need in the future. If the addition was temporary I could attach it to a 2X2 sq. tube and slide it in the reciever. I guess it's a design in progress.:scratchchin:
You got any good ideas on improvements? I'd like to here them if you do.:listen:
Best, Bill
The first thing I noticed that I liked about your design was you weight is down low keeping the center of gravity of the tractor low.
First, do you have loaded rear tires?
Second, anything in the form of a 3ph attachment makes better use of its weight than a ballast box. Simply because the weight is farther back. 600# that is centered 30" back in the form of a blower does WAY more good than 600# in a box that is in close.