Tractor Rear Counterweight Part 1

I learned very quickly that I need to have some counterweight on the rear of the tractor to more safely lift things using the forks. The L3901 Kubota has a rated lift capacity of 1,130 lbs. This slab of steel I have weighs about 925 lbs and I think will make a great counterweight. I chose to leave it the full 60" long because this slab of steel can be used later on if needed for another machining project. If it ever proves to be in the way or too wide I can come up with another plan for a different type of counterweight. In this episode we'll get the parts cut and ready to be welded on. Part 2 will show all of the welding and testing.
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[@BigColton]

Something super useful you may want to consider is using 55 gallon drums full of water that way its weighted and if you ever have a fire in the field or anywhere you're near you are ready for the situation.

[@Darryl603]

Interesting take...

[@gslavik]

If you had This Old Tony's time machine, you could've gone into the future to borrow the completed counter weight to get it made.

[@Paulster2]

You know what the golden rule in metal work is, right Adam? "There's nothing you can do a flap disk won't fix." :o)

[@bcbloc02]

Get a category 1 quick hitch for the back of your tractor. It makes hooking up a breeze. The only caveat is you have to be careful that the attachments you buy are made to the correct standards so they fit. Also be sure they don't put calcium chloride in your tires. Personally I suggest cast iron wheel weights. Yes they are more money but you always have them. Fluid is lost when you have a flat. It is a buy once cry once. Fluid is a cost forever as if you don't loose it you have to pay to have it pumped in and out everytime you want to do something with the wheel like replace a valve stem or replace the tire or fix a cut. Tractor tires tend to run in a rough envirnoment for tires sooner or later you will be there.

[@carsons6519]

I think his pavement princess would do well with beet juice or the methanol tire fluid is good for his application.

[@dozer1642]

Everybody is an expert when it comes to telling you what you should do different on a custom project. I for one like this idea, it’s unique and it’s easy to pick up when you need it. 👍🇺🇸✌️

[@Darryl603]

Expertly said

[@dozer1642]

@@Darryl603 well, I am an expert.

[@MrRebar15]

*Abom79* Bravo well done, thank-you sir for taking the time to bring us along. God Bless.

[@stevelescom4336]

Great video ! My go to is loaded tires or wheel weights ,that way you don't have extra weight on axles and wheel bearing and give more capacity to the 3 point hitch . Not being negative just a different view !!

[@JonDingle]

A few modifications to that design young man. Cut the link arm lugs off and move them to the centre of the weight and make another two so you have two lugs per link arm so that the load is carried evenly by the lugs. By having only two lugs, they will crack because of the pin isn't supported across its length. The mount for the top link need moving back too. It needs gussets to support it otherwise it will crack and break off. I would also knock off the corners of the weight because someone will get injured if they walk too close to it. A cheaper and less expensive weight could have been made pouring concrete into a box with three point linkage mounts welded to it. Top regards, Jon in cold and damp England UK.

[@JonDingle]

@@karlhrdylicka 😂😂😂 Hi Chris, thanks from North Yorkshire. Where men are men, sheep are scared and the rain washes the dust away all year around!

[@jwdickinson643]

one of the things, imho, that make Adam the quintessential professional is that even when the project doesn’t NEED to look good, as well as work well, Adam takes the time and effort to make it look as “factory” made as possible. Adam, you REALLY need to consider teaching this at a local trade school. Outstanding work, Sir!

[@BobOBob]

A lot of good advice here, for your first time "farming." And plenty of the other kind, too. Some people should just calm down. I do agree that square tube needs a drain hole immediately -- or fill it with concrete up to the notch.

[@carldawson5069]

Having wieght is a plus. In my 20's i was 6ft 1in and wieghed less than 120 lbs. Once moving a condenser into the shop, the handtruck wheels hit a crack ... stopped ... and catapulted me over everything. I had the muscel but not the weight. I now weigh 50% more, and can now hold more stuff down. 😁

[@windzer]

i have the same tractor u just got and i really suggest the beet juice over just water little more bang for your buck beet juice weighs 11lbs per gallon compared to just water thats what 8lbs so by using beet juice you get about 90lbs extra per tire in weight just by using the beet juice plus its non corrosive and it wont freeze not that you have to worry about that down in your state also now that your gonna have plenty of counterweight kubota sells the shims for your relief valve so u can bump your pressures up so u can lift more just dont go crazy youll be fine kubotas r usually set low from factory on their hydraulic pressures

[@arfonjones7188]

Many a farmer with the time honored 50 gallon drum of concrete ( cheap as chips ) hanging onto the 2 lower link arms ( no need for the top link ) will be watching this with misbelief, but this is not Adam's arena.

[@PaulSteMarie]

Those are pretty kick-ass sawhorses. I would never have trusted them with that much weight just from looking at them, but they seem to handle it fine.

[@MuntyScruntFundle]

I'm not trying to be an arse, but I have a feeling the width of this might become problematic when reversing into tight spots. This is why weights usually stack the weight vertically. Personally I'd cut the ends off and put the weight back in the middle. Just my two penneth. She's a pretty little tractor.

[@compilecodebug6430]

I like Adams attention to detail, it doesn’t matter what he’s working on, it gets done right.

[@eosjoe565]

That looks like plenty of weight for sure but the disadvantage I see compared to a ballast box is the size. That bar sticks out as wide as the rear tires and can get in the way when maneuvering. It's like having a rear blade attached - easy to snag things with the ends when turning in tight places. Seems like having it shorter but twice as thick would be better.

[@JohnSmith-vi5pz]

The next video will be cutting the ends off an welding them back on underneath the remaining length,

[@Darryl603]

I thought the same thing after looking at it

[@greeceuranusputin]

YOU are the counterweight! I'd avoid fluid in the tires, so many better options. I can't wait to see if you put those pins pointed the opposite direction so you can't get it apart.

[@RRaucina]

Maybe even he exceeds the tractor load rating.

[@HAL_9001]

Your flatbar trick reminded me of a time when I was working maintenance at a structural steel place and the saw operator was complaining about his coolant running away down the web of the I beam he was cutting. I think I replied, "Dam it!" (I was gonna tell a joke based on the mill scale being thick and hard, but I'd rather keep it disney.)

[@mccarterjg]

I don't know how you made a two parter out of a farmer boys 35 minute project but I'm watching you put the a bomb spin on it 😂, where's the dial indicator

[@jmchessman]

I used RV antifreeze (the pink stuff) to load tractor tires with good results. Stay away from chloride, over time it will eat your rims.

[@jerryzorn86]

There’s nothing more permanent, than a temporary solution.

[@johnscott2849]

Us poor people just make a 3 point tree and a plywood box then mix and pour in concrete . I should have informed you about quick hitchs. Problem with them is hardly any implement is the same hook up. I made most of my implements from whatever I could get cheap. Quick hitch is nice. Looks good.

[@ALAPINO]

When you first mentioned it, that really hurt my soul that the individual working at the Kubota dealership sold you the wrong pin: Then you mini-ranted about later and I chuckled. I hope you give them a call. A good Kubota dealership will take it back and, hopefully, do something to help you be whole again. At least where I am in the North East, Kubota corporate and their dealers consistently have excellent customer service. I've enjoyed the video, as per usual, Adam! Cheers!

[@kristopherhowitt353]

9 times out of 10, the customer is given the wrong part because the parts person was given the wrong information. The best bet all the time is either measure before you leave the shop or take the old part with you to compare. They will always have something at the parts counter to measure with.

[@raymondbrandt7831]

you can also have the rear tires filled with liquid that the dealer recommends it really helps

[@andersjohansson161]

I would start with that

[@fyrman9092]

@@andersjohansson161 rimguard works best. Non corrosive.

[@RealNickTheCoolest]

He literally says that in the first few minutes.

[@raymondbrandt7831]

@@RealNickTheCoolest yes he did right after i posted that lol

[@SuperDeeredriver]

There is no replacement to steel weights on a tractor. Fluid in the tires dosnt transfer weight back to the tractor so tires may be planted but the tractor feels loose and tippy

[@dennisstarkey2042]

as a machinist you rock! as a fabricator good effort! very nice assortment of tools!

[@d123avek1]

Love this content Adam! Super interesting watching others think through and handle these projects that come up, like we all have to in our shops, garages, farms, etc.

[@brianohara5696]

Good to see some machining!!!!

[@tduncan4875]

Another great wee project Adam. I love the pics at the end of you're videos, no one else does it and it shows things in real detail, the pic of you, your dad and grandpa never fails to choke me up. I'm sure they're looking over your shoulder with pride.

[@angelramos-2005]

Good project.Thank you.

[@donnatalielucasheimbigner7598]

There should be weights available to fit inside the rear wheels that you can stack 2 or 3 deep depending on amount of weight desired.

[@spdy3926]

I like to see you use a mix of old school and modern techniques in you processes. Busting out the death wheel to cut the square tube notches is legit. Home shop guy here lovin' the mix!

[@greghelmick2723]

Great idea. Thank you for the information.

[@thesickhorseranch1930]

Beet Juice is the hot ticket, doesn't corrode the wheel and doesn't degrade the rubber either.

[@ChannelJanis]

Box the vertical tube up, so that water does not collect inside.

[@fyrman9092]

Or add holes at the bottom. Betting you've never hooked up a 3 point hitch.

[@toowey22]

You need a drain hole in the bottom of the square tube so it doesn’t fill with rainwater. Or weld a cap on the tube below the attach point.I like the counterweight. It’s cleaner and smaller than a 55 gal drum full of concrete.

[@frfrpr]

Makes my Saturdays!! Thanks

[@shnepper]

Cool stuff abom!

[@russfranzen3970]

Put the bought pin in the lathe and make it right size

[@garystaples5304]

Have done a few tractor attachments....and if I can suggest that you weld ears for the pins on each side of the 3 point hitch arm. One will probably hold the weight....but the pins will not hold up without support on both ends.....

[@HandyMike78]

Nice setup! The best addition to my tractor was a wicked grapple from everything attachments. All usa made in NC out of hardox worth 100% of every penny I paid for it. I also filled my own tires with windshield washer fluid. Wasn't very hard to do.

[@sarelwagner1099]

Add a basic box to this, added tool carrying for axes, spades or a chainsaw and chains etc.

[@Phantom0309]

Great project Adam!

[@JohnSmith-vi5pz]

You guys are all rich in the States. Here in the UK we mostly bang a steel bar through an old plastic water tank and fill it with rocks and concrete.

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

Not all of us r rich. Lol. Trust me. Stay safe.

[@RRaucina]

No, this large dude is just spoiled. The real farmers do it like the UK

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

@@RRaucina So true. Lol. Stay safe.

[@dalegawne5286]

don't worry you'll use that pin somewhere, never have too many. in australia we call them cat 1, cat 2 etc (category 1). you can run most cat sizes on any tractor so it makes it hard for the parts guy to know what one you have.

[@PhilG999]

Filling the back tires with water/antifreeze was something my Grandfather and Cousins did many years ago. Don't have to add weight elsewhere and those are the traction tires anyway. It's really easy to do actually!

[@olalundgren3429]

I read "Reactor". Made sense in my head. That high precision Abom guy is everywhere.

[@countryracer69]

Man! If only you had some kind of machine that could take that .875 pin and somehow make it .750. Crazy right!

[@j.walker3498]

super cray cray.

[@bigjohn2048]

Most people just fill the rear tires with water and anti freeze. You can get an adapter to fill them yourself at home. It s a lot easier than putting that counter weight on and off. If you use your tractor to pull anything heavy or pull a truck out of the mud hook up to the draw bar only. DO NOT HOOK UP THE CHAIN TO ANY PART OF THE THREE POINT OR AROUND THE AXLE OF THE TRACTOR. THE TRACTOR WILL FLIP OVER BACKWARDS ON TOP OF YOU AND KILL YOU. THE BACK TIRES ONLY HAVE TO MAKE A HALF REVOLUTION AND THE TRACTOR WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN. YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO GET YOUR FOOT ON THE CLUTCH TO STOP IT. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOU ARE INEXPERIENCED WITH TRACTORS. Also if you are under power going forward especially going uphill and the load falls off the forks the tractor will rear up with you so keep the counter weight as low as possible while using it.

[@JohnSmith-vi5pz]

A nightmare doing puncture?

[@RRaucina]

Any body that knows these killer tractors pulls from the FRONT. Pull from the rear other than plows and implements and you die.

[@damianzanolli1845]

Don't worry, sometimes parts people aren't on top of everything all the time. Also, the pins they gave you could be for a larger three point class. if you don't want to travel so far for hitch parts look for a place called tractor supply. They carry hitch parts and such for implements sometimes not the implements themselves. Great video.

[@ellobo1326]

Wow, you have some nice machines in your shop. 👍

[@PlugUgly72]

Anything you build for 3pt hitch, you should make it quick hitch compatible. The SAE dimensions are out there and it's worth it when you eventually get a quick hitch. Also, anything you can add a 2" receiver hitch on the back, you'll use it. Even if it's just for a hitch carrier to carry stuff around the yard.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi 👋🏻 Adam. Yet another great video buddy 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@richardkelleher1711]

It is interesting watching a machinist take on some of these tasks as compared to other tractor owners. Completely different approach. Even out of practice, your cuts are better than anything I've done. :)

[@CarlHargreavesRustyRelicsUK]

Nicely fabricated Adam, i have been watching your early videos, you have come along way, Thanks for bringing us all along. Just 1 thought, your top link box vertical section will collect water. You might want to add a drain hole. Thanks

[@kyleotto4539]

I had the same thought. Simple as grinding a groove to the front and skipping that small spot when welding., give the water somewhere to go.

[@Jeremy-iv9bc]

Don't feel bad about the wrong part adam. I've been a dealership tech for 15 years and even we get the wrong parts constantly.

[@OldBarkerRanch1981]

Fill the back tires with water too. We do it to all of our tractors and it help a ton!

[@OakesProject]

Adam, I think it is great that you always show the proper use of safety gear. It's all fun and games until a cutting disk grenades on you. Most may balk at using the heavy gloves, face shield etc. But what you are playing with are big boy toys. I'm sure there are many viewers that can tell scary stories of things gone wrong when the "expert" just knew he had it under control.

[@JasonHam41]

Abom, you’ll get familiar with the agricultural stuff soon enough. 3/4” top link pin is “cat 1” paired with 7/8” on lift arms. There is standard categories, once you’ve seen how this stuff works you can eyeball which pins/ links you need for what. The higher the HP of the machine the bigger the category.

[@d6joe]

Heck of a rear bumper!

[@kkoors]

Invest in a quick attach and then make your implements work with it. You will save a tremendous amount of time changing them out and won't have to manhandle the implements to get the pins to line up. Land Pride makes one to match the Kubota, but Harbor Freight has one that is hard to beat for the money.

[@jerrybeaver9212]

Read all the comments....I'll be the first to say good job Adam,you did it just the way YOU wanted it!!!

[@larryrivers1471]

I got the wrong size well, I can make one of those. Rock star attitude .

[@ponga782]

Oh yeah! I been there buddy! That is one creep feeling!

[@DJ-bh1ju]

You can also load the front tires with gel/foam. When you lift a really heavy load, they won't squat or tip unevenly. They'll also never go flat. And the pins you use on the 3 pt. hitch, depend on the category of the hitch... the weight rating. Yours is a category 1.

[@brosselot1]

When you have your tires filled have them us a product called Rim Guard. It will help protect the rims from rust and corrosion.

[@tomv7552]

Fill the tires with water. They make a little tool that threads into the valve and hooks onto your garden hose. Put the valve at the top

[@kentuckytrapper780]

I like the wheel weights they bolt up in the rim's and there never in the way..

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@jrnd3484 lol 😆 🤣

[@carsons6519]

And beetjuice filled rear tires makes a world of difference and wont rot the rims. Methanol is another option wont rot rims.

[@Studio23Media]

Beet juice in the tires is a great option too.

[@tsimmons4730]

Wheel weights can cause the rims to crack

[@jeremycable51]

That thing be a pretty handy road leveler as well use it to drag gravel out behind you with a couple degrees of rake to it that farm is gonna be a blast for you guys look forward to seeing you guys start doing the dream build

[@MrTodd51]

Start now a count on how many times you bark your leg on those corners sticking out.

[@randallthomas5207]

I know it is too late now, but: There are industry standards for the dimensions of the 3-pt hitches. Yours is a Category 1: upper pin is 3/4, lower pins 7/8, the width between the lower pins is 26-inches, and the height between lower and upper pins is 18-inches. The height is really only important if you go to a quick hitch system. Luckily, you are a bit long. So, if you get a quick hitch later on, you can modify to make it work.

[@kimber1958]

Thanks for sharing

[@gregbloch80]

On filling tires, your first choice should be Rim Guard which is the beet juice you refer to. Some dealerships have it, some not. A good tire store will have it and the pump. Calcium chloride is heavier, but you's have to be happy with rusty wheels and if you spring a leak, you're going to kill all the vegetation in a large area. Once a tire starts leaking, you aren't going to stop it so pick a good place you want to kill all your greenery.

[@fyrman9092]

I found out the joy of using a ballast box is trying to get connect the darn thing. After acquiring a quick hitch, connecting it was much easier. There are various brands. speeco brand doesn't require bushings to make the Cat 1 pins Cat 2.

[@ptfdchief]

I made a counter weight from my Kubota and on the lower connection instead of using the one I use two pieces of steel and just drove in between it and put a pin in the bottom and found it worked a lot better than the single pan like you have now I started with what you had and end up changing it it was easier to back up in between I just put a pan and

[@jeremylastname873]

You might want to add a weep hole to the center tube so that it doesn’t fill with water and rust out.

[@RichardHilverts]

It might be a misplaced pin/assortment thing. That he took a pin out the box with 3/4 pins and it was the wrong pin 5/8 in the 3/4 box. Don't judge....

[@ronnydowdy7432]

Should work. Good luck with this. Enjoyed the show

[@ToreDL87]

Save time and money, top link is for scrape angle on implements (such as blades, blowers, plows, harrows etc), the bottom links are more than strong enough just for a counterweight.

[@scotwilliamson1095]

I'd tip it up on edge and just use the bottom links and let it dangle. One less thing to hook up when you need to switch implements. 3rd link is always a pain to hook up, especially if the angle/length is not identical to other implements you use. Will always be screwing that link in or out!!

[@slmason72]

and have made the ears much shorter, less swing.

[@chrisschwanekamp1583]

We got a L2501 last year with a backhoe, but the backhoe was on back order so we had it without any weight on the back for a few months. It's amazing how weak it is without a counterweight. Once we got the backhoe on it became a monster.

[@lymanhall5449]

Drop that 7/8” pin in the lathe and make it 3/4”.. you da man!

[@ilaril]

This. I was wondering why you didn't just turn the pin down for that .125"?

[@georgeschikschneit7142]

I am glad to see I am not the only one who has that problem of going to hard on the down pressure slow down to go fast

[@pythagoras2647]

I'd have cut the block in 1/3:2/3 and welded one on top. Less stick out at the rear, always likely to catch something in tight spaces. Top links can be cat 1 or cat 2 or a mix. Empty, heavy sheet, metal boxes filled with chips & swarf make good weights, too. It's a whole new world of fabrication for agricultural implements...

[@RRaucina]

Weld a box on that hitch and fill it with the hot dogs you should not have eaten.

[@dc761]

Beet juice is the way to go for tire ballast. You can do wheel weights along with it but it's better than calcium chloride because it wont rust the rims. Water and antifreeze is a good option but I believe you get a little more weight per gallon with beet juice.

[@RRaucina]

Beet juice. You guys are nuts. Maybe the veggie boys will sell some.

[@RonKapchinsky]

Adam - I think you'll find the pin they gave you will fit the hitch receiver.

[@moe61806]

Why does it relax me, whenever he gets precise?

[@c0mputer]

Not a tractor guy but it's awesome that people fill tires with beet juice for counter weight. That's damn genius. I read about it and it keeps it from freezing down to -35ºF (lower than windshield washer fluid), it's completely safe AND it's heavier than most other liquids. So cool.

[@felixar90]

Wonder if it turns into alcohol after a while.

[@martingoudreau8249]

Hey Adam, Cool counterweight. I think you need some lateral triangular support between your 3 points. Because you have a large mass to support, and any lateral force on it will be hard on your welds. Just add 2 bracket to make a triangle and it will stronger. Like you!

[@golfmike304]

Absolutely correct. The movement of the tractor shaking from side to side and the weight of the counterweight will be enough to break the welds without any gussets.

[@victor.leslieaugustpikingt8848]

Hi Adam great to see you working . Just one thing how's your family we haven't seen your mum for some time . It was always such a joy to see and hear her , luck and love to both of you for 22

[@jerryr2004]

Add a ball to back of plate for moving a trailer around the shop.

[@knotbumper]

Instead of wet tires, why not discs in the wheels? Same effect, less maintenance/repair cost. I've had wet tires, and if you break a bead or puncture one, it is an additional cost. Add discs (1/2" plate) and you can add or subtract what you need or want. The wheels are already set up for counterweight studs. Then you only have tire repair costs to contend with when you get a flat. (Which you will....)

[@maxsav007]

This

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Adam, a single bracket with a bolted in pin is not the usual way to fix a weight or attachement. The usual way is to have two plates and then use a floating pin with an R clip to hold the lifting arms between the plates. That way there is no side load on the plates but pure tension. It also makes mounting and removing the weight easier. I would avoid water/calcium chloride filling of tyres. It increases soil compaction and leads to corrosion of the steel wheels.

[@w056007568]

I completely agree with all your points although correctly diluted antifreeze causes much less damage to the wheel rim as it is not corrosive to anything like the same extent .

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

@@w056007568 Antifreeze for automotive engines actually is anti-corrosive. You don't want the coolant passages inside the engine corroding so additives are added to the coolant to prevent corrosion.

[@willys351]

I'd also recommend filling your tires with liquid ballast. Added almost 1000lbs to mine.

[@NathanielHatley]

I had a riding mower that I needed to use on a hilly property that had a lot of trouble with the hills. I changed the rear turf saver tires to AG lugs and filled them with windshield washer fluid to keep them from freezing in the winter. No more issues with grip and made it feel much more confident on hills.

[@Nodularguy1]

beet juice

[@Xtinnoker]

I built darn near the same counter weight but I added a cutting edge to the front, Makes a great grader attachment for laying in new yards or gravel driveways.

[@RRaucina]

Yes, something that size needs a primary use, like rippers welded on.

[@douglasboyle6544]

"I need counterweight to build the counterweight" 🤣

[@eastcoastwatch672]

I’m with you about the incompetence of people, it really grinds my gears too ! It happens in all fields from store clerks to medical Doctors and everything else in between! You have to trust them, then you have to verify them!

[@fubarmofo6969]

Lmao when he said this really grinds my gears….. anyone else think of Peter griffin on family guy? 🤣

[@mr.jimmyjohnsr.ohyeah7835]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤘🤘🤘

[@Farm_fab]

I never thought to use an eye bolt in a pin to remove it. That's a good idea. I find them on motors and equipment at the scrap yard from time to time, and I have a few in storage at my shop.

[@Abom79]

Always good to keep a few extras around 👍🏻

[@The_DuMont_Network]

WOW! Abby said she wanted a forklift, you didn't mess around! ABOM The Gentleman Farmer and Materials Handler! And no ABOM video is complete without an appearance by ADORABLE ABBY!