Tractor kicked my butt today! Need help and advice - with pics!

[FTG-05]

This is not a concrete wheel thread, it isn't! I always planned to do a concrete wheel weight thread but after I had them installed and could show the final results. But I made one concrete wheel weight and now I'm trying to get it installed on the right side of my L4330 and so far - it's kicking my butt!!!!

Pics of the wheel weight and how I'm *currently* trying to install it:

Basic wheel weight, +260 lbs of concrete, steel and lead. Note that the threaded 5/8"s Grade 8 bolts on the bottom of the weight in this pic.

And how I'm trying to get it installed:

Overall picture of the operation; please ignore the shift supervisor - as usual with management, she was useless!!!!!!!

I may have forked myself with the design plan of welding the 6 grade 8 bolts and then trying to blindly get them to interface into the 6 holes on the tractor tire. And it also could be a case of major PIA to install, but it's only a one time thing. Since I don't have it done, don't know yet.

As hopefully is obvious in the pics, I'm using my deer pole to lift the weight, then I'm trying to get it aligned with the tractor wheel so I can bolt it up. The problem is that the lifting eye leaves the WW cocked at an angle and I'm having trouble moving, aligning and finalizing the WW into the tractor wheel. I knew this operation would be a challenge, I just didn't think 260 lbs would be that hard.

Comments, suggestions etc. for installing this beast?

Thanks,

 

[bcp]

Run the tractor rear tire up on that 6x6? block. Use a flexible sheet of stiff plastic* inside the wheel for the concrete to slide on. Remove it after, Let gravity help slide the weight in.

Don't bother trying to place it in using your loader.

Bruce

*comparable to cereal box cardboard

 

[GPintheMitten]

Looks like quite the challenge. Would it help to jack the wheel up so that it can turn? It might help with alignment on the arc. I realize you have other alignment axis.

 

[mike69440]

This is not a concrete wheel thread, it isn't! I always planned to do a concrete wheel weight thread but after I had them installed and could show the final results. But I made one concrete wheel weight and now I'm trying to get it installed on the right side of my L4330 and so far - it's kicking my butt!!!!

Pics of the wheel weight and how I'm *currently* trying to install it:

Basic wheel weight, +260 lbs of concrete, steel and lead. Note that the threaded 5/8"s Grade 8 bolts on the bottom of the weight in this pic.

And how I'm trying to get it installed:

Overall picture of the operation; please ignore the shift supervisor - as usual with management, she was useless!!!!!!!

I may have forked myself with the design plan of welding the 6 grade 8 bolts and then trying to blindly get them to interface into the 6 holes on the tractor tire. And it also could be a case of major PIA to install, but it's only a one time thing. Since I don't have it done, don't know yet.

As hopefully is obvious in the pics, I'm using my deer pole to lift the weight, then I'm trying to get it aligned with the tractor wheel so I can bolt it up. The problem is that the lifting eye leaves the WW cocked at an angle and I'm having trouble moving, aligning and finalizing the WW into the tractor wheel. I knew this operation would be a challenge, I just didn't think 260 lbs would be that hard.

Comments, suggestions etc. for installing this beast?

Thanks,

I hate to be a spoiler, but you are making life too hard.

Consider giving up and buying or making metal weights.

Darn Kubotas are feather weight.

Search my username to see my weights. I have inside rim and out, 750 Lbs worth

 

[DJ54]

How big is the hole in the center..?? At least it looks like one. Slip a a 3'-4' solid bar in there, something like they tighten mounted ratchet straps on a flat bed semi. 3' of snug fitting bar should give you plenty of leverage, to move it any direction.

The small end of a RR jack handle would work well too...

You never have too much "stuff"...

 

[ZAR2USA]

I agree with GPintheMitten and bcp.

The wheel needs to be free rotating. Jack up axle. Let the weight hang where it naturally wants to hang.

Now, prior to pulling next to the tractor weight and while still being away far enough from it, but on the same horizontal angle/incline or level,

Take a level, and using your bolt pattern on your rear axle, take two opposite bolts that crosses the center axle, then using your level draw a vertically plum line with a pencil on your fender.

Now drive the tractor next to your free hanging weight, matching the mark on the fender with the cable holding the weight.

Place blocks to prevent tractor movement, place in neutral, Jack up axle on the side you are working on just enought to freely rotate tree.

Move the concrete block into the wheel opening, raising or lowering the height with a chain fall. Place a long breaker bar or rebar into the lowest hole of your concrete weight to give you more control of the concrete weight.

Rotate the wheel until the desired bolt matches the concrete weight hole, using the chain fall to get the height just right or the hydraulic jack on the bottom of the axle.

After securing first bolt at 12 o'clock, you might have to but not always need to place cardboard or wood at 3 & 9 o'clock to hold the weight in place and protect paint finish). Rotate tire and get the remaining bolt to line up for securement.

Hope that helps.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Make another one. Have one bolt longer than the rest. Put a 2 inch pipe in the center to use as a lever point like a previous poster suggested.

Position the longer bolt at the top. Jack the wheel up so that you can turn it and use the deer pole lift to adjust the height. Get that top bolt in and then start letting the weight down slowly to allow mating the other bolts up to the rim holes.

Also consider 3 bolts instead of 6 to reduce the difficulty of alignment. Use the pry bar as previously suggested in the center pipe.

Also consider making your weight thicker so you can get a strap around the middle of the cylinder for a balanced support.

 

[hosspuller]

You're trying to hit 6 holes mismatched in rotation, angle, height & lateral position. No wonder you're having a devil of a time. We'll assume the bolts will match the bolt circle of the wheel. If not ... stop and take a step back..

Take care of rotation first. Jack the tractor up so the wheel will spin freely.
Bolt a handle about three feet long to the end of the weight. that'll give you something to change the weight's angle relative to the wheel and something to push with.

Most important get a helper to watch when the bolts are lined up with the holes.

 

[ZAR2USA]

I just look at your pics again. You want to start the 6 o'clock bolt first, then definately use cardboard or wood at 3 & 9 o'clock to protect wheel finish as you rotate tire 180 degrees to tighten the opposite bolt that is currently suspending the weight.

All the best.

 

[newbury]

It looks like your trying to do it w/ one shim and the concrete is tapered w/ small end inside. If you can cut some 2x4 to match the angle of the taper and height perfectly you might have more success.

Also put a strap down lower to try and tilt the concrete.