Front Weights, When to use and How Much?

[graham]

Hi,
I'm a complete newbie but thanks to this great website and the folks that contribute to it - I have found a wealth of information. As such I am soon to purchase a B7001 ( without a FEL ). My plans are to use it pull a small topper (3ft or so ) a small rototiller and a trailer for various tasks. Maybe a front snow plow too.

I've found a ton of info about grey market Kubotas - which has helped alot - however the B1007 I'm thinking of buying doesn't have any front weights. The guy who is selling it says for most tasks i don't need them and having the additional front weight on when its not needed causes unnecessary wear.

So I wonder if some of the folks here who have a B7001 ( B7100 I think) could give me their views on front weights - do you use them? and if so just how much weight do you need/use for what tasks?

If there's already a post on this - I apologise, I did a quick search but couldn't find such a topic.

Thank you

Graham

 

[Bulldog]

My old 7100 had a loader so weight was never needed until I got a new BH for it. I ended up adding some weights to the front and fluid filling the front tires as well. I never really noticed it being hard to steer until my brother got his B 7500. I drove his one time and decided it was time to upgrade. I had mine for 15 yrs and was used to the hard steering. I couldn't tell any difference when I did add weight. The tractor had to be moving to steer it anyway so a little more weight didn't make any difference to me.

 

[hodge]

I use my B7100 to mow with (5' finish mower), till (4' King Kutter tiller), scrape (4' blade), plow potatoes, and pull a trailer. Because of the tiller and mower, I use (2) 55 lb suitcase weights on the front (the frame will hold 3 total), and have the front tires filled with fluid. They weigh about 30 lbs each. That works well with the implements I use (the tiller being the heaviest), and the steering isn't much heavier than it was. I leave those weights on all of the time.

http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h205/br549_red/?action=view&current=Brunswickfundraiser009.jpg

 

[Bulldog]

Hodge, your little bota looks nice. The Cub Cadet takes me back as well. My Uncle had one just like that.

 

[hodge]

Hodge, your little bota looks nice. The Wheel Horse takes me back as well. My Uncle had one just like that.

I fixed it for ya, Bulldog. It's a Workhorse/Wheelhorse GT1600.

 

[Bulldog]

I flipped thru some of your other pics and ran up on the Cub. It was pic #88. The wheel horse is cool though. Don't see them very often.

 

[hodge]

Oh, ok. Gotcha. That one isn't mine- it belonged to a customer. It is all original, and he keeps it spit and polished in the basement.