Wheel weight

[MtnViewRanch]

Brian, are those 100# each?

No, only 72lbs. That's why I needed so many.

 

[Mysfyt]

Thats awesome. Does kubota not have a wheel weight option for your machine then?

They do, but I wanted to max out the weight without going beyond the edge of the rim. Don't think i could get the weight i desired with the factory weights. I will be in the range of 500 lbs per wheel and the weight will be riding on the pilot hole of the wheel instead of on just bolts. Pictures of the final product tomorrow.

 

[Mysfyt]

The first picture shows the least fun job of this whole project, drilling holes through the wheel! No other way to do it except by hand, but we got through it. The second picture shows installing the mounting studs with Loctite plus punching the threads for a little insurance. You'll also notice the male pilot hub I machined to fit into the pilot hole on the wheel. Kubota didn't give me much to work with, only about .075" but it should work. The third picture shows the mount installed and torqued. The fourth and fifth show the weights installed and how they don't protrude past the rim.

Hoping to put it through some sea trials this afternoon and then retorque the bolts and nuts.

Bob

 

[RDrancher]

Very nice job on the weights! Looking forward to hearing how the extra weight works for you.

 

[Mysfyt]

Did some grapple work with it today and was pleasantly surprised with how it handled. Was noticeably more stable on the hill especially with the grapple full of wood. The FEL will be the better test in a few weeks.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Wow, that looks awesome. How much did that project set you back roughly?

 

[Mysfyt]

Wow, that looks awesome. How much did that project set you back roughly?

$900.00. Water jetting out the plates pumped the price up, but it saved me the hassle of drilling the holes and boring out the center holes.

Steel prices are down right now so it is a good time to make custom weights. 4' x 8' x 1" steel plate(1280 lbs) is selling for a little over $500.00.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

WOW, thats ALOT cheaper than I thought it would be! I think I need to look into this. The JD factory weights were running about a dollar a pound IIRC for 95lb weights.

 

[Mysfyt]

Buck a pound seems to be the going rate. You might be able to find a fab shop or service center to flame cut (cheapest) the discs for pretty reasonable. Circle cutting attachment on a O/A torch and a drill press would put you in the game.

 

[David Devuono]

I am not a big fan of tire ballasting for FEL work. It does zero to take the load off the front end. Its perfect for added traction when pulling impliments. When I look at commercial equipment, it either has a monster backhoe on the rear for ballast or an articulated steering system. If you do mostly field work and occassional loader work, its a good compromise. One only has to have a tractor with no or non-functioning power steering to understand the stress on the front end, steering componets. I have a MF165 with loaded tires and wheel weights. At about 1500lbs per tire it will pull a house but I still need to drop the loader, lift the front of the tractor, turn the wheels, raise the loader and then go in my new direction (hoping my power steering pump leak is solved lol)