Kubota L series front weights

[Rosohatica]

Hi, I just bought front weights for my tractor. See them attached. I think I have read someplace in the manual that they should be taken off the tractor when not being used. It is kinda tedious to keep taking them off and putting back on. Is there some particular reason why that should be done?
One thing I can think of is camber - maybe keeping the weights on all the time messes up the positive camber? Are the weights heavy on front joints?

 

[mcmxi]

I keep the front weights on my M6060 most of the year (whenever the loader is off). You can have a loader on a tractor all year round so I don't see a problem keeping the front weights on all the time either.

 

[Rosohatica]

I keep the front weights on my M6060 most of the year (whenever the loader is off). You can have a loader on a tractor all year round so I don't see a problem keeping the front weights on all the time either.

The difference is that after you finish the work you rest loader on the ground, right? It kinda supports its own weight once you are done. Similar to the back attachments which sit on the ground when you don`t work with the tractor.

 

[mcmxi]

The difference is that after you finish the work you rest loader on the ground, right? It kinda supports its own weight once you are done. Similar to the back attachments which sit on the ground when you don`t work with the tractor.

What if you're using your loader 8 hours a day and picking up stuff with the bucket or a grapple all day long. These tractors are designed to handle that sort of work. Is 50% of the weight of the loader located a couple of feet or so in front of the front axle going to cause more wear and tear than using a loader?

Loaders typically weigh quite a bit more than the suitcase weights that will fit on the front bracket, but where that weight is distributed is different too when comparing them. I don't see how a full bucket of heavy material, or rocks and logs held with a grapple, often under dynamic conditions with the load bouncing, puts less stress on the tractor than some suitcase weights. Just my opinion.

 

[Rosohatica]

What if you're using your loader 8 hours a day and picking up stuff with the bucket or a grapple all day long. These tractors are designed to handle that sort of work. Is 50% of the weight of the loader located a couple of feet or so in front of the front axle going to cause more wear and tear than using a loader?

Loaders typically weigh quite a bit more than the suitcase weights that will fit on the front bracket, but where that weight is distributed is different too when comparing them. I don't see how a full bucket of heavy material, or rocks and logs held with a grapple, often under dynamic conditions with the load bouncing, puts less stress on the tractor than some suitcase weights. Just my opinion.

I agree, you are right - the loader puts on much more stress on the front axle. The only difference is the length of the load. With loader it is short term major load, and with suitcase weights it is long term minor load. I am just wondering why the manual suggests to take the weights off, and not to keep them on.

 

[mcmxi]

I agree, you are right - the loader puts on much more stress on the front axle. The only difference is the length of the load. With loader it is short term major load, and with suitcase weights it is long term minor load. I am just wondering why the manual suggests to take the weights off, and not to keep them on.

Honestly, I think it's a casual passing comment without any real criteria. "Remove the weight when no longer needed" is vague, unlike the warnings below that are in both of my owner's manuals in bold print.

IMPORTANT :
• Do not overload the tires.
• Add no more weight than indicated in the
following table.
• Do not attach to the front bumper when the
front loader is attached.

There are lots of tractors out there running front weights all year round so I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[hedgerow]

I know where there is a 1979 JD 4440 that has had 1000 pounds of front weights on that tractor since it left the factory. The only two tractors I have that don't have front weights on all the time are my JD 2006 7320 and my Kubota MX6000 and they both have loaders on them year round. I not messing around taking weights on and off. When I buy a tractor I put weights on as needed for the job it will be doing and they on the tractor till I sell it. Sometimes the weights come off when I sell it and some times they go with the tractor. Most of the time if you buy a used tractor the weights are already off the tractor.

 

[BAP]

We ran between 500 to 1500 lbs of front weights on our tractors we farmed with. We had a fleet of around 10 tractors of various sizes and brands. The only time we removed weights was when we either put on the tanks for crop spraying while planting or put on the snow plow frame.

 

[SDT]

Hi, I just bought front weights for my tractor. See them attached. I think I have read someplace in the manual that they should be taken off the tractor when not being used. It is kinda tedious to keep taking them off and putting back on. Is there some particular reason why that should be done?
One thing I can think of is camber - maybe keeping the weights on all the time messes up the positive camber? Are the weights heavy on front joints?

View attachment 147165

The weights will interfere with a FEL.

 

[Rosohatica]

The weights will interfere with a FEL.

I don`t have FEL, however I do have front end trailer bar - so curious if it will interfere with weights. I am going to tractor on Saturday so will try the weights out.

 

[mcmxi]

I don`t have FEL, however I do have front end trailer bar - so curious if it will interfere with weights. I am going to tractor on Saturday so will try the weights out.
View attachment 147216

Based on your photos of the weights and the photo of the bracket, that trailer bar will absolutely interfere with the weights.

 

[Rosohatica]

Based on your photos of the weights and the photo of the bracket, that trailer bar will absolutely interfere with the weights.

The weights are slated, so I think there might be a slim chance it will work out without removing the trailer bar. I hope engineers at Kubota thought of that

 

[mcmxi]

The weights are slated, so I think there might be a slim chance it will work out without removing the trailer bar. I hope engineers at Kubota thought of that
View attachment 147217
View attachment 147218

That's a useful photo .... hmmm .... maybe it will work. Is the trailer bar a Kubota accessory or aftermarket? The previous photo gave the appearance that the trailer bar is mounted higher up relative to the bracket. You'll know soon enough.

 

[Rosohatica]

That's a useful photo .... hmmm .... maybe it will work. Is the trailer bar a Kubota accessory or aftermarket? The previous photo gave the appearance that the trailer bar is mounted higher up relative to the bracket. You'll know soon enough.

It is original Kubota accessory. Will post the result.

 

[mcmxi]

It is original Kubota accessory. Will post the result.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes. In the meantime, here are the 8 of 10 weights that I bought sitting on the Kubota. Total weight including the bracket is around 875lb.