installing wheel weights conveniently

[Coles]

I have a pair of JD wheel weights that I bought for my JD 2305. The weights weigh 50 pounds each. I could muscle these things into the wheel wells, struggle to align the bolts, bang up the paint job, and whatnot, but I'm wondering if there is an easier way.

I have designed a little gadget that will allow me to pick up a weight with a jack, slide the weight into the wheel well, and rotate it to line up the bolt holes. My wife is already laughing at it, and I haven't even made this thing yet.

I have searched the archives and have found no examples of people describing how they intall wheel weights conveniently. My idea of convenient is something that could be done by someone who is disabled or who is just lazy (like me). My idea of convenient is the way I handle all my implements: each one is stored on its own cart that I can wheel around the shop floor without hard pulling.

Is there anyone out there who can share a picture or an idea of mounting wheel weights the easy way?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

There is a guy that use to be on here all the time that had a New Holland TC40. He had exactly what you have described. I can't remember his user name, but his signature had Mike in it and I believe that he was in Ohio. He had a very good picture portfolio and you would be able to see what you are wanting to make. I have to go to work or I would try to find it for you. Maybe do some searches in the New Holland forum.

Good luck

 

[Runner]

I've thought about this issue too, but as of yet, haven't come up with a good idea of how to make a device to hold the weights. What I'm thinking of is to use a modified motorcycle jack with some mini-pallet forks on it and maybe bolts to go through the unused bolt holes on the weight.

To install the 60 lb weights on my 2520, I just support them on my knees while I align the bolts and holes, and tighten up the nuts. It is a little bit of a pain.

To keep from scratching up the wheels, I put a piece of duct tape over each of the points where the weights contact the wheels, although, I'm sure that, over time, this will still wear through the paint.

 

[Runner]

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. I made this device to hold the outdrives for my boats while I'm removing/installing them for service. I'm thinking there might be a way to adapt this to hold wheel weights.

When using it, if I need more weight on the back to counterbalance the forks, I just hang a concrete block on the handle.

 

[Runner]

...Sorry, forgot to attach the picture....

 

[dirtworksequip]

I just used a heavy paper towel to keep from marking up the paint. They are heavy and I'd think someone that was handi capped could maybe get someone to help them with the install. Maybe even someone that was just lazy could too. I think you are going to expend more energy trying to make it easier than if you just took the time to set it in place by hand, but who knows you might just hit on a better way.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[flusher]

I have a pair of JD wheel weights that I bought for my JD 2305. The weights weigh 50 pounds each. I could muscle these things into the wheel wells, struggle to align the bolts, bang up the paint job, and whatnot, but I'm wondering if there is an easier way.

I have designed a little gadget that will allow me to pick up a weight with a jack, slide the weight into the wheel well, and rotate it to line up the bolt holes. My wife is already laughing at it, and I haven't even made this thing yet.

I have searched the archives and have found no examples of people describing how they intall wheel weights conveniently. My idea of convenient is something that could be done by someone who is disabled or who is just lazy (like me). My idea of convenient is the way I handle all my implements: each one is stored on its own cart that I can wheel around the shop floor without hard pulling.

Is there anyone out there who can share a picture or an idea of mounting wheel weights the easy way?

If I had this task, I'd first try to lift the weights with my roll-around engine hoist.

At least the hoist would support the weight and allow me to swing it into position without busting up my back.

 

[Travelover]

I've got one of these mounted to the (doubled) ceiling joists in my small barn.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I paid about $80 for it. It is useful to lift my 3 point attachments off the floor so they are easier to hook up. I've never used it for wheel weights, but it would provide a nice place for a fulcrum if you wanted to use a lever to lift the weight up into the rim.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

OK, found the guy. PineRidge and he has a whole deal on how he manages with his wheel weights. Here is a pic of what he uses.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...2564d1210761787-nh-wheel-weights-weights4.jpg

 

[schmism]

might as well save us the click

 

[jimgerken]

On my weights, I only have to put them on once, and then I still have access to the wheel bolts. So when I put them on, I first took off the whole tire/wheel, and laid it down, but set up on a couple scraps of 4x4, so I could get my arm under it to hold up the carriage bolts from below. Laying the weights into the rims is still work, but then they will slide around until you line up the holes. It is easy to stand up the completed assembly and get it back onto the tractor.
Are you guys trying to find an easier way to do this 'cause you put them on and off frequently? Is this for mowing or something?

 

[Bedlam]

too late i "Clicked' im tired now gotta go nap

but simple and good idea...

 

[Coles]

Thanks very much to all of you:

Brian for remembering the right source and finding the link.
Schmism for pasting in the picture.
Runner for the picture of the jack adapted to boat motors
Travelover and Flusher for describing your overhead lifts (nice old moldboard you have sitting there, Flusher).

Dirtworksequip, I wish I had weights the same style as yours. Mine are solid, dense little chunks and hard to get a hold of.

That little floor jack with the right angle fastened onto it is close to what I had in mind, but it's even simpler (the jack, not my mind). I'm going to modify both the design in the picture and my first idea. I will post a picture when I get done (which really ought to be before I have to plow snow but may have to wait till later).

JD sells a second set of weights to bolt onto the 50lb weights I already have. But I think I will use an idea I saw discussed on several other threads: just make my own out of old barbell weights. That should be cheaper anyway. JD certainly has a high opinion of pieces of metal that they have painted yellow.

In answer to a question: Yes, I do need to put the weights on and take them off fairly often because of the number of different things I ask my 2305 to do. It does them pretty well, by the way.

 

[600rider]

I work for General Electric Transportation and build locomotives in Erie PA, I was able to get some cutouts from our burn area that are 3/4" thick and just about 12" diameter, just fits in the wheel perfectly. I drilled a 1" hole in the center then made 2 brackets out of 2" wide by 5/16" thick long enough to mount to the factory weight holes and welded a 1" round bar in the center bolted them on and leave them on all the time. They weigh about 25lbs. each and I can just slide them on one at a time. I can put 6 or 7 on each wheel without sticking out past the tire. I hold them on with a 1/4" lynch pin. Very easy to install or remove, I had the tires on my old tractor(a ford 1310 19 hp 4x4) loaded with calcium cloride for a long time but didn't like the ruts in my yard in the spring so I came up with this design it works great and cost was about 10 cents per pound from our onsite scrap yard. PS since the price of steel has gone up it now would cost me 15 cents a pound still a bargin don't you think?

 

[wedge40]

I have weights for my small cub cadet. I think they are 75-80lbs each. About 20lbs more than I could handle without killing myself or breaking something.
All I did was build a small platform that put the weights at the correct height. I would lift the weight on the platform and slide them into place. One of the things I've found handy is the have and extra threaded rod on hand that it is longer than required to help get things started.

Not sure what your design is but is really doesn't need to be too elaborate to work. The nice thing about the platform was I didn't have to counter balance anything.. Just push up to the wheel and put the weight on and go.

Wedge

 

[Coles]

Well, I promised to post the results of my project. I had some help from a local machine shop to size and drill some small pieces of metal that fit into the head of my floor jack. The machine shop also drilled holes to make the rotor you will see in the pictures. The rest of the supplies were cheap bolts and fittings from local hardware and plumbing stores. The finished product is a little front-heavy, but I can balance it with my knee for now. Eventually, I am going to build a counterweight off the t-joint you can see in the pictures. From here I'll just let the attached pictures do the talking.

 

[Travelover]

Nice job, looks like a real knuckle saver.

 

[wedge40]

Well, I promised to post the results of my project. I had some help from a local machine shop to size and drill some small pieces of metal that fit into the head of my floor jack. The machine shop also drilled holes to make the rotor you will see in the pictures. The rest of the supplies were cheap bolts and fittings from local hardware and plumbing stores. The finished product is a little front-heavy, but I can balance it with my knee for now. Eventually, I am going to build a counterweight off the t-joint you can see in the pictures. From here I'll just let the attached pictures do the talking.

Where were you when I was putting the weights on my cub.. Even though I had an ok system this would work much better. Nice setup.

Wedge

 

[gerard]

Nice job Coles. I see you applied the K.I.S.S principle and it worked out perfectly!

 

[Runner]

Looks like a winner!

Nice work.