tractor weights

CGM

Member
When I purchased my 8n the previous owner tied cement blocks to the front bumper for weight when brush hogging. I would like to come up with a better solution any suggestions would be appreciated.
 

Simplest is get front wheel weights, and bolt them on.

With one set on the inside of our 8N, it was still light in front with the bush hog if you either had to lift, or when cresting a bump. We stopped using the hog years ago, before I was involved in decision making... I'd be looking for a second set to go on the outside if I wanted to go back to a hog on the N.

Other than wheel weights, there isn't really a great way to mount weights up front. We've had a couple things hung on the grill guard, but I hated that look, and really, those guards aren't really intended to carry that kind of weight.
 

Most scrap yard set weights and plate metal to the side.
I also have some cast-iron Gym weights that I use for different purposes.
I always check there to see what they have.
Craigslist has some listed from time to time.
 
You could add liquid ballast to the front tires. For example, a 6.00x16 front tire will hold 6 gallons of water at a 75% fill level (valve stem at 12 O-Clock position). A 6.50x16 tire will hold 7 gallons. Water weights 8.33 lbs/gal which would give you 100 - 120 pounds of weight for the two tires. Anti-freeze will be needed if you live where it gets cold; the anti-freeze is typically a little lighter (less lbs/gal) than water. There are other ballast solutions; for example, beet juice or calcium chloride that are significantly heavier than water.
 
My 9N was light in the front when using the disc and brush hog. Finally found some front wheel weights for the original 19" wheels. Not sure the weight but it was enough to make a difference.
 
I love tractor weights. Kinda have a jones for them.
It took me most of 4 years to find all the pieces for this set-up.
Got the bumper first. Then the special angle brackets and finally found the weights.
These are OEM Ford and sold from about 1955 till the late 1970s. They would be a direct fit on an N or Jubilee too. Adds about 180 lbs.
Easiest and cheapest way to add front weight is to buy a bumper and cobble some kinda heavy objects onto it.
Maybe you have a bumper if your tractor has cement blocks hanging on it? Start looking for something cool to hang on it.

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Had a 9N at one point that someone made a weight carrier out of the front parts of a Dearborn plow setup. Pretty slick. Loaded with fieldstone, cinder block, etc.
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Thank you for posting this picture Ultradog, I bought a pallet of weights and two of those super heavy, neat-looking fronts were part of it. Didnt know what they are for or what they mounted to. I think I have 3 of the 4 angled bracket pieces, maybe the fourth is on there. I dont have a bumper and have a 961 so maybe time to find a new home for them
 
Glad I posted it then.
A guy always wonders if he should post about anything later than an NAA here.
They're all Fords to me and Ford Tractor Division continued to support the 39-64 Priors pretty well into the 1980s.
In 1978 if you went to the dealer for a bumper for your 8N, this is the bumper you would have got. You could have got the brackets and weights then too.
A bit more about them -
The pre 1965s used an almost identical bumper.
But the spacing between the horizontal bars was slightly different.
Those allowed you to add Four 80 lb bumper weights.
The guys with their Elenco 4wd/Ford 801s like to sport all four :)
65 and newer bumpers only allowed you to mount two. Dunno why thd change. 3 bangers are more robust there.
My email is open. Am Zero interested in buying yours but might? be able to help price them if you decide to sell.


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Front-end weighting is good like Ultradog said. Prior to the Hundred Series Models, extra ballast in tires was recommended to use Calcium Chloride. It is still a good, relatively cheap way to add weight but the problem is it is corrosive to ferrous metals. Once the tubes develop a leak, it will spread to the inner rims and begin the cancerous process. Usually it first starts around the valve stem but often doesn't show visible signs until it is well established and often tool late. Many OEM Hat Rims have been ruined because of this. Keeping the rims in check as part of your PM schedule will help catch any leaking/rusting issues. Loading tires is my first choice as no external weights have to be added or removed if rims/tires need maintenance. Other liquid ballast methods used by some are water, new or used Anti-Freeze, and new or used windshield washer fluid. I personally would avoid these methods. They are all corrosive to ferrous metals as well so any leaking will result in the same scenario as Ca Chl. Used anti-freeze and washer fluid will be contaminated, water mainly, and many of the new brands sold today are diluted with water. I use and prefer Beet Juice, slang term for an excellent product called Rim Guard. It is made from sugar beets hence the term. Invented in the mid-1990's, I've had Rim Guard in my N tires since it came out and never have had any regrets or looking back. My 8N still has the same 22+ gallons I originally put in.

The FORD Hundred Series Models offered Pie Weight sets for ballast. There were three different sets; a light 30# each set, a HD 45# each set, and an Industrial set all for the 28 rims. There may have been a set later for 24 rims too. Note in the FORD manual it is advised not use the HD 45# set on the 600 tractor as front axe weight may be hindered. Pie weights include a center disc plate that needs to be installed on the rim first and then each segment has to be mounted onto the plate. There are 12 segments on each plate but you don't have to bolt all of them on and some just use 4, 6, or 8 pie wedges. The Pie Weights can be a nuisance if ever they need to be removed such as for a flat tire. The weights also offered a kit that bolted onto the 16 Front Wheels as well. They were a 2-PC set with an added 50# each section, per wheel, for 200# total additional front end weight. Each half was bolted onto the rim with two 7/16-20 x 4 square head bolts, lockwashers, and hex nuts, four each total per rim, and Ford 16 rims were made with 4 holes for the weight set. These I like and have them on my 8N front work wheels and don't have to worry about interfering with anything until they need to be taken off. Front weights must be installed and removed with the wheels mounted on the front axle spindles. There is no other way but still not as time consuming as adding or removing the rear pie weights.

FORD TRACTOR TIRE BALLAST & PIE WEIGHTS:
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FORD TRACTOR 6-16 FRONT WHEELS WITH ADDED 2-PC WEIGHT SET:
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Tim Daley(MI)
BEET JUICE.RIM GUARD LINK
 
(quoted from post at 07:50:29 08/26/22) When I purchased my 8n the previous owner tied cement blocks to the front bumper for weight when brush hogging. I would like to come up with a better solution any suggestions would be appreciated.

These came with an 8N I purchased many years ago..

Dan


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