Counter balance weight for a FEL (Kwik-Way Loader)

[Challenger 27]

My neighbor is installing a FEL on his 520H. He has installed a weight box. Should he ALSO INSTALL his wheel weights or is that too much stress for the tractor?

His primary use will be to move SNOW BANKS.

Thanks.

[IBleedRed 24]

Wheel weights are actually better for his tractor as they don't add any more stress to the axle bearings.

[Kelly 1,033]

I have my factory weight box filled with cast iron, about 300+ lbs and at times its not enough.

[Challenger 27]

So Kelly (and anyone else), do you have an opinion if BOTH the weight box AND wheel weights were used, would it be too much STRESS on the tractor?

My neighbor is accepting the fact that a loader will probably shorten the remaining life of his tractor but he is willing to make that trade-off. He and I are just unsure if you can add TOO MUCH WEIGHT and cause some serious premature problem to the frame, axle, hydro, etc. He wants to work within the reasonable limits of this size tractor with a loader.

Thanks for more thoughts/opinions/experiences.

[fourwheels0 191]

he should use both wheel weights and the weight box.

almost every tractor i've seen with a loader used both.

both are used not only for counter balance but traction also.

[wallfish 18,117]

Add it all,

Weight box, wheel weights and fill the tires

[Kelly 1,033]

My loader tractor is a C-195 with 15" rear wheels when I find weights to fit it will have them, and I plan on loading the tires, when I get all that done I may remove some of the weight out of the box, but not sure just yet.

[Jim_M 179]

My 520-H loader tractor has the tires loaded with anti freeze, 105 pound John Deere wheel weights on each rear wheel and a home built weight bar attached to the rear axle (sticks out about 18" past the back of the tractor) with another 200 pounds on it. It seems to be just right, the rear stays planted and it's very stable on uneven ground.

Edited December 11, 2012 by Jim_M

[cheesegrader 433]

I use both.

Just short of 100lbs on each rear wheel for traction,

and 230 lbs of weight behind the seat to counterbalance the loader.

No problems with front-wheelies using the loader,

but I have had some slippage usng ag tires when making slightly uphill passes clearing a gravel ditch.

Much better if I make all the passes downhill.

No problems so far moving snow or ice.