Mounting weight to back end of 422

[Frank Sorbello]

Looking to mount weight to the back end of my PT-422 to help keep it grounded when lifting with the bucket or forks. Have any of you did this before? Pictures please!
Thanks
Frank

 

[MossRoad]

Frank,
Several folks have put 2" receivers on the back of their 400 series Power Tracs. If I was going to add weight, I'd consider doing that. First, a 2" receiver can be really, really handy back there VS the pin hitch. You can make adapters for trailer towing, ball hitch, pin hitch, ring hitch, etc... Second, you could make a 2" adapter that goes straight back a foot, then weld on a section of barbell rod up vertically. Those are easily found at any junk store, goodwill, salvation army, etc... and then you can throw weights on the barbell and secure them with the barbell lock collar. Piece of cake! :laughing:

Anyhow, I'm reluctant to add any weight to the back of mine. I use the pucker as an indicator that I'm about to stress the machine. I wonder how much weight those center sections can actually take.

 

[cqaigy2]

That's a good question about the capability of the center section. I seem to remember someone attempting to pull a PT out of the mud and breaking the center section.

 

[woodlandfarms]

My center section broke a few years ago. No special pressure, just road grading like it had a thousand times before. The dmage was extensive. The tabs on the engine tub side failed but due to a bad weld (there are a number of bad body welds on my machine). When it broke it folded downward and it ended up cracking the two plates that go alonside under the seat (the side of the tunnel by yur feet). When I called tazwell, they were not that suprrised. Sent me new tabs and the center connectors. My neighbor who is a heavy machine mechanic was actually at the wheel and fixed it in a day. Tazwell said the fix was 4 hours of labor on their side.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Thanks Moss et al. PT has the 422 at a lift capacity of 800#s. I don't think that is correct. If I have a bucket full of dirt and lift I can feel the backend start to lift off the ground. Didn't think too much about stressing the pivot area. I will have to give it more thought before I do this.

 

[KentT]

I've run loaded tires (winter-mix windshield washer fluid) on both my PT-425 and PT-1430. This small amount of additional weight on the rear makes a noticeable difference, and that weight is down low, not really changing the center of gravity for off-camber work. IMO, this is best alternative to add weight, and does not have additional things hanging off the machine for close-quarters work such as in the woods. The disadvantage is that it is a quasi-permanent mod, and you can't readily remove that weight when not needed. As far as I can tell, I haven't suffered adverse effects from loading the tires...

I also had a guy make me a rear weight/ballast/tool box for the 425 that would pin onto the rear pin hitch. I didn't use it a whole lot, because it would drag the ground when coming down off a steep slope onto the flatter ground at the bottom. I did use it considerably when moving the tons and tons of mulch from the lot clearing that I did, using the light material bucket hauling wet, heavy mulch. It was probably most useful for being able to haul chains, chainsaw, etc., into the woods. I'd often then remove it and set it aside while I worked...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/120570-rear-weight-box-tool-box.html?highlight=weight+box

 

[prs]

I agree with Kent about ballasting the rear or all tires. The weight is in the tires and upon the ground, so very little added stress to the frame. If your machine is challenged on up grades, then the extra weight is part of the payload.

prs

 

[MossRoad]

Ballasting the front tires won't help with lift as that's the pivot point for tipping forward. It would probably help with traction or sticking it to a hillside, though.

 

[KentT]

Ballasting the front tires won't help with lift as that's the pivot point for tipping forward. It would probably help with traction or sticking it to a hillside, though.

Ballast in the front tires does help with loader work, though. It reduces front wheel spin when you're digging or pushing into a pile. Of course for me, sticking on the hillsides is my biggest concern.

 

[prs]

If you ballast the rear and not the front, you may get an undesirable front end bouncy ride when mowing or tramming. My eight tires hold about 55# each of winter WS fluid when filled to top of rim, it rides real smooth. The big 7' Ventrac contour mower no longer tips me forward if I stop quickly or reverse quickly. The probable downside is increased soil compaction. Safety first.

prs