Rear weight options-Speeco with weights, or filled tires??

[OntheRidge]

I am looking for options to add weight to the rear of my L47. The manual specifically states not to use rear ballast with BH, which is on 90% of the time. However, when I use my rear blade, tractor is too light in the back. So, i could fill tires and ignore Kubota warning, or, I am considering adding the SpeeCo hitch with the weight hangers and 6 70 lb weights, from GoodWorks. WW fluid is now 6$/gallon, and I would need about 60 gallons. Or, I could use the weights, which would come off when BH goes on. The only downside I see is weights kind of hang out to the sides a bit. Anyone?? Thanks in advance, Cheers! Oh, total cost of the hitch setup would be around $1200.

 

[Trimley]

What about a little fabrication work to the "mount or arm" of the blade itself, since that is where the down-force is needing applied.

I'm pretty sure a welder/fabricator could get you fixed up with a bolt-on or welded-on weight mount for considerably less than the Speeco. I would also have an adjustable drop leg added to support the blade at operating height, for ease of connecting and disconnecting to the tractor.

 

[OntheRidge]

What about a little fabrication work to the "mount or arm" of the blade itself, since that is where the down-force is needing applied.

I'm pretty sure a welder/fabricator could get you fixed up with a bolt-on or welded-on weight mount for considerably less than the Speeco. I would also have an adjustable drop leg added to support the blade at operating height, for ease of connecting and disconnecting to the tractor.

Thanks, good idea. i am actually needing weight on the rear wheels, not the blade. It slid down the drive on some wet leaves a couple weeks ago, I'll assume because the rears got too light, and the wet. Our drive is an 18 degree slope. My thinking with the hitch is I could also easily switch from rear blade to box blade.

 

[Trimley]

Thanks, good idea. i am actually needing weight on the rear wheels, not the blade. It slid down the drive on some wet leaves a couple weeks ago, I'll assume because the rears got too light, and the wet. Our drive is an 18 degree slope. My thinking with the hitch is I could also easily switch from rear blade to box blade.

Ahh, I see. Wouldn't removing the leaves eliminate the sliding? Do your vehicles also slide and lose traction on the leaves?

 

[fried1765]

Thanks, good idea. i am actually needing weight on the rear wheels, not the blade. It slid down the drive on some wet leaves a couple weeks ago, I'll assume because the rears got too light, and the wet. Our drive is an 18 degree slope. My thinking with the hitch is I could also easily switch from rear blade to box blade.

18 degrees?......You REALLY ARE ......"OntheRidge!

 

[OntheRidge]

Ahh, I see. Wouldn't removing the leaves eliminate the sliding? Do your vehicles also slide and lose traction on the leaves?

Vehicles, no. Yes, I could remove all 400 feet of leaves. But, I'm lazy. Honestly, it was totally unexpected, 1st time with that tractor and no BH on it.

 

[Donystoy]

I assume you had the tractor in 4wd when this happened. I would be using my leaf blower to remove the leaves. For improving traction I would be looking at tire chains.

 

[OntheRidge]

Maybe a better question to ask would be "has anyone had a bad experience with the speeco hitch?" Thanks.

 

[Henro]

Maybe a better question to ask would be "has anyone had a bad experience with the speeco hitch?" Thanks.

OR...What can I do to improve traction without damaging the surface of my paved driveway?

Chains certainly are an answer, except they are aggressive on paved surfaces.

When things are slippery, using 4WD is also helpful.