tractors and rain

[saabdog]

I just can't win, 1st I get a new tractor and find out kubota is going down hill fast then it starts raining and has'nt stopped !!!so I can't see just how bad it is.
I do have 1 question what do you use for ballast to offset loader? I did not get rear tires loaded because I mow a lot of pasture and plan to remove loader when mowing and did not want extra weight then.

 

[RichZ]

I'm not speaking from experience on this one, because I just got my first loader tractor, but my friend, a dairy farmer uses a neat trick. He puts a hay spear on the 3 point hitch, and hangs a bunch of cinder blocks on the hay spear. It works well for him. In fact, I'm looking for a used hay spear now, so I can use that trick for a counter weight.

 

[TonyC]

For starters I'm not sure where you heard that Kubota is going downhill fast. That's news to me. I have, however, heard it from sales people from the "other" tractor brands!

As far as a counterweight, concrete is one popular way to make a counter weight. Just make a form out of wood or a plastic drum etc and fill it with concrete. Sink in the required hardware to attach it to the 3 pt hitch. You'll want to calculate the size of the weight by first figuring first how much you'l like it to weigh. Then do the math to get the right volume.

To see an example go here to see the rest.

And I know it must be killing you to get some seat time but we need the rain!!!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Good luck!

 

[Pks]

From experience: Please remember to engage 4wd (assuming the tractor has it) before decending any steep grade. These compact tractors are so light that the rear wheels will not slow the vehicle very well (even if there is a rear blade on the 3 pt lift). The rear tires tend to skid (even if loaded) when the brakes are applied. With 4wd engaged, the front wheels act as the main brake during the decent.

 

[saabdog]

going downhill was just a joke refering to the earlier thread about the loss of quality . I could not be happier with any other tractor at this point. I just hope it stops raining this weekend so I can play with the new mx5000 sitting in the barn.
the other ? it is 4-wheel dr.

 

[pennwalk]

I remember seeing a rig that let you hang front weights on the 3 point hitch. Was it here? Anyway it looked like a nice rig. Front weights can be very handy. I saw a guy who hung them on his box blade. I guess you could think of all kinds of uses for them.

Chris

 

[Youare]

If you are going to use the FEL and you are going to be traveling down hill, even a slight grade you will need to be in 4WD especially since your rear tires are not loaded.

I learned the hard way one time with a two wheel drive tractor and a heavy log on the FEL. I started down a grassy slope and as soon as the rear tires got over the edge I had absolutely no brakes. I was headed right for a friends pickup truck. Fortunately I had time to drop the loader in time to stop.

I would suggest some form of weight box that you can easily mount and dismount on the 3PH if you are going to use the loader at all. It is better to be safe than have an experience you don't want.

Randy

 

[frank_f15]

glad to hear u are happy with the kubota, even if it stops raining , u realize it it still going to be very wet? u will probably test the 4 wd out very well/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif let us know how u make out.

 

[Frank]

Saabdog,

I use a New Holland weight bracket that is mounted on the 3PT hitch arms. Holds up to 7 - 50 LB weights and adds only a few inches to the total length of the tractor. I started with 200 lbs and found that was too light for some jobs. I use 300 lbs now and I keep that mounted all the time instead of my tiller for FEL work.

My dealer got the bracket for me from North State Sales. I don't know if this part number is New Holland or North State, but here it is. The bracket is part number 7001 - I paid $94. The part number for the weights is 3113 - I paid $39 each for those. The bracket has this information on a label glued on: North State Sales, 2204 N. Church Street, Greensboro, NC, (336) 275-9578.

This is not the cheapest solution, and many others on the forum have pointed out that the most cost effective counterweight is one that has other practical uses, e.g. tiller, rear blade, box blade, etc. However, if storage space is limited and low profile is your preference, this is a great option.

Frank