Ballast When do I need front ballast?

[lopezian]

I would like to use my rotary mower without the FEL attached. Do I need to purchase some front ballast before I do so? If not, when would I need front ballast? My specific situation is a Kubota L3400 with a 5' RZ60 brush hog without filled tires (nothing but air in the tires). I just saw some pictures on another thread ("is this cute or what") of a tractor without FEL or other visible ballast pulling a single bottom plow, so clearly it can be done, but I'm not sure what is safe.

 

[chrisjbell]

I run my B7300 without the FEL with no other front weight using my 4' rotary cutter all the time. I am cautious when going up hills as there is the potential to flip the tractor over the rears, but I always mow in 4WD - my property is quite steep - and as long as the fronts are pulling it seems OK.

The right thing to do, however, is to put suitcase weights (or wheel weights) on the front. The tractors at work without FELs have them and it does increase the stability considerably.

Mowing without the FEL improves manueverability quite a bit and on my tractor (sans power steering) it makes it a lot easier to turn the wheel without all that weight up front. But without front weight it is not as safe.

You can try it - just be aware that it is possible to power rotate the tractor up and over the rears - with you on the wrong side.

 

[Rara Avis]

The right thing to do, however, is to put suitcase weights (or wheel weights) on the front. The tractors at work without FELs have them and it does increase the stability considerably.

Chris got it right...Suitcase weights... hung on the nose has more bang per pound over wheel weights due to the increased leverage by being in front of the axle...

 

[hudr]

But wheel weights don't put as much stress on your wheel bearings. Like the difference between sprung and unsprung weight.

 

[RoyJackson]

But wheel weights don't put as much stress on your wheel bearings. Like the difference between sprung and unsprung weight.

True, but suitcase weights are quite easily removed...

Leaving the FEL on also increases wear on your front wheel bearings, so if you're not going to use it, best to take it off.

I'm with Chrisjbell here...I'd try it without front weights and see how it works. I did with my 790 (no front weights or FEL). I didn't like it and won't run the cutter without weight again. But, that's me...

 

[wolc123]

Usually when I use a rotary mower, I just drop the bucket and leave the loader frame on. This improves visibility almost as much as removing the frame and all but keeps the tractor ballasted a little better. Also keeps the hydraulics cleaner, is many times faster (at least with a quick attach bucket), and there is no need to find a real level spot which you must do when removing the loader frame. If you do not have a quick attach bucket your dealer can probably set you up with one. This is a $300-500 option on most models but some makes like JD give it to you standard on most of their tractors.

 

[heymack]

I don't think that there's a simple cut and dry answer. I don't run any weights and tug around the same cutter you mention hooked to either my NH or 8n. But then again I generally run on relatively flat surfaces. When out and about town, I see municipal tractors mowing around parks with lots of weight (probably equal to cutter weight) up front. Bottom line, it probably doesn't hurt to have the ballast, but might not be necessary.

 

[sandman2234]

My JD had a lot of weight on the nose, and I removed it to save the front end wear. A 7,000 pound tractor doesn't really notice it when just using a 6' bush hog.
The Ford I just purchased has a dozen(12) 37-40 Kg weights on the nose, and needs more. I picked up the mower when it was stretched out and the front wheels lifted about 4" off the ground. I am considering what to do to add weight to the front. I like the idea of wheel weights, and may make a couple, but also considering mounting a 20,000 pound capacity winch on the nose and then hanging the weights from that. I figure the winch will be enough weight added, and by moving the suitcase weights further forward, it will also help keep the front end down. The Ford probably weights at least a couple thousand pounds more than the JD. It already has an extra fuel tank, so that adds to the weight. Might move it forward a few inches to help.
David from jax

 

[Robert_in_NY]

David, does your 7710 have the cast weight bracket?

 

[RalphVa]

I talked to a guy with a tractor and no FEL. He said he needed to put on some front weights to keep it from sliding around or rearing up on hills.

If you're only working a fairly level ground and just mowing, you can probably get away without using any front weights.

The FEL in front is a good stump or other obstruction finder if you run it low. I often need mine to knock limbs or vines down out of the way when using the brush hog. Helps to get you unstuck, too, if you get stuck beyond what a locked diff will get you out of.

Ralph

 

[MadDogDriver]

...The FEL in front is a good stump or other obstruction finder if you run it low. I often need mine to knock limbs or vines down out of the way when using the brush hog. Helps to get you unstuck, too, if you get stuck beyond what a locked diff will get you out of.

Ralph

The FEL is also great at knocking down those mole hills instead of eating rocks with your blades.

 

[sandman2234]

Robert in NY,
Yes, the mount for the suitcase weights is a cast piece, visible in the above picture.
The weights are marked as either 37 Kg or 40 Kg, but appear to be the same size and shape. Not sure where the difference comes in. I would have thought a better design for the mower would have been to have a remote hydraulic tank, mounted on the front or belly of the tractor on the side opposite the extra fuel tank. (behind the step in this pic)
I bush hog mostly flat ground so any gain in stablity for working on inclines is beyond my normal operations, with my JD 2555.
The Ford will be used a little closer to inclines, since the main use of it is ditches and slopes. I don't plan on removing the weights from the front of it.
David from jax

 

[Robert_in_NY]

You have the largest weights available for that cast bracket that I know of. Does your 7710 get light on the front or does it get light on the side when the boom is extended off to one side of the tractor? You might want to add some ballast to the rear wheels to help with side to side stability.

Also, what size rear tires do you have?

 

[sandman2234]

When they loaded my tractor on a Landoll trailer, the driver requested that they extend the boom and lay it flat. When they arrived here, and tilted the bed, I raised the boom slightly so I could curl it back up toward the tractor. That movement caused the front wheels to lift about 4" off the deck of the trailer. The trailer is 8'6" wide, so one full tire was hanging over on the right side, and the weight had it about 6" lower than the deck. (Hanging tire versus compressed tire). The next movement was supposed to be curling it, but since the levers weren't marked, I moved it to the side, the one that the tire was completely off the trailer. With the front end light, and the right side hanging over the edge, that was the worse way I could have gone. I let it and my nerves settle before moving it back the other way, and then went and changed my britches.
The mechanic said they have replaced 3 axles in the 7710, all on the rear, over the last 20 years
and all while they were operating it on steep inclines. I figure the weight of the mower added to the weight of the tractor compounded by the extension of the duals is probably a little much for the axle strength. Hopefully I will get the work I have for the boom mower done without breaking anything, and the lift arms will be installed so I can use a regular bush hog. I am not sure if this isn't too much mower for even this large a tractor.
The front tires are narrowed up about as narrow as they can get. Not sure why, or how much it effects the rear, but I may look into that as I get more familiar with the Ford. I haven't driven it, as I am looking for a manual for it, so I can get the right lubricants and figure out what all those levers do, plus work has me busy also.
David from jax