Tractor Front Weight - Fertiliser Spreader

[JamesM]

Hi, I've ordered a Valtra G125 which has yet to arrive. I specified front linkage too. My question is what weight of weight block would be most likely to suit whilst spreading with an Amazone Zam Maxis with 2 x extensions to allow me to carry at least 3 bags of fertiliser safely and also on some hilly ground?
The current tractor Valtra N103.3 was light on the front with anything much more than 2 x 600kg in the hopper especially on a hill. I used to leave the loader on for a bit extra front weight. It had 320kg of rear wheel weights.
The new one has a loader and 300kg of wheel weights. My plan was to remove the loader and buy a weight block and put it on the front linkage to balance things a bit better whilst spreading. Not up on front weights so just wanted some input from those in the know!

 

[Carlbous]

I am sure valtra do a 600kg block with option to add another 400kg on at the bottom.

 

[Muddyroads]

Is that around 125HP?

 

[Horn&corn]

Hi, I've ordered a Valtra G125 which has yet to arrive. I specified front linkage too. My question is what weight of weight block would be most likely to suit whilst spreading with an Amazone Zam Maxis with 2 x extensions to allow me to carry at least 3 bags of fertiliser safely and also on some hilly ground?
The current tractor Valtra N103.3 was light on the front with anything much more than 2 x 600kg in the hopper especially on a hill. I used to leave the loader on for a bit extra front weight. It had 320kg of rear wheel weights.
The new one has a loader and 300kg of wheel weights. My plan was to remove the loader and buy a weight block and put it on the front linkage to balance things a bit better whilst spreading. Not up on front weights so just wanted some input from those in the know!

1st season leave the loader on and a bucket or something then you’ll get a feel for what you need. Loader with suspension much smoother than a ton of concrete

 

[Fish]

I've been spreading K this week with a KRM m35, mounted on a fendt 516 with a 820kg Rock on the front links, bulk loading about 2t+, very stable.
To carry any weight with your machine and feel stable you will need at least 600Kg.

 

[JamesM]

I've been spreading K this week with a KRM m35, mounted on a fendt 516 with a 820kg Rock on the front links, bulk loading about 2t+, very stable.
To carry any weight with your machine and feel stable you will need at least 600Kg.

Thanks for that. As a second question whilst I've never used a weight on the back for wrapping/stacking bales with the current tractor i was thinking perhaps it would be good practice to save wear on the front axle to start putting weight on the rear links. I presume any weight made for the front links will fit on the rear just the same? (No experience of front mounted linkage implements)

 

[Phil P]

My previous spreader I would get about 2t of K in and had 600kg up front on a jd6520 so not a particularly heavy tractor. It was ok but could still feel a little light on the front on soft ground of if it bounces going down the road!

Get 3.5t in the new one and have 1t up front but on a much bigger tractor and it feels much more stable but it’s a lot of weight on the front when the spreaders empty.

 

[Fish]

Thanks for that. As a second question whilst I've never used a weight on the back for wrapping/stacking bales with the current tractor i was thinking perhaps it would be good practice to save wear on the front axle to start putting weight on the rear links. I presume any weight made for the front links will fit on the rear just the same? (No experience of front mounted linkage implements)

Yes any weight you can pick with the front links, can also be picked with the rear 3 point. The only thing to change may be the ball sizes, front link maybe cat 2, some are 3, mine are, but the rear 3 point will be cat 3, but it's just a simple mater of changing the balls.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

If you want to use it on back aswell then ideally you need an adjustable weight as you can’t have to much on back but a compromise would be a tonne block but will be a bit heavy when spreader is empty!

 

[JamesM]

Yes any weight you can pick with the front links, can also be picked with the rear 3 point. The only thing to change may be the ball sizes, front link maybe cat 2, some are 3, mine are, but the rear 3 point will be cat 3, but it's just a simple mater of changing the balls.

Thats good to know thanks. I can live with changing the balls if need be.

My previous spreader I would get about 2t of K in and had 600kg up front on a jd6520 so not a particularly heavy tractor. It was ok but could still feel a little light on the front on soft ground of if it bounces going down the road!

Get 3.5t in the new one and have 1t up front but on a much bigger tractor and it feels much more stable but it’s a lot of weight on the front when the spreaders empty.

That was one of my worries about coming back along the road with an empty hopper with a lot of weight on the front of a small tractor.

If you want to use it on back aswell then ideally you need an adjustable weight as you can’t have to much on back but a compromise would be a tonne block but will be a bit heavy when spreader is empty!

The adjustable ones with the wedge shaped weight below look nice, only thing is the price! I was thinking if I settle around 600-700kg as I think a 1t would be a lot of weight on the front axle of a 125hp tractor with an empty hopper??? Especially on the road too?

Seems its not the most straightforward thing to work out to do for the best, especially with smaller tractors.

 

[Muddyroads]

I was in the same situation a few months ago. Ran my last couple of Masseys with just the front loader as a weight, and it was ok. New tractor this time with front links and settled on a 650kg front weight. The difference is noticeable as the centre of gravity is so much lower. Heaviest thing I put on is a Lucas Castor with an 8’ 6 string rush bale and it’s fine for that

 

[Bloders]

im going to guess at 500kg.

 

[Pringles]

The op is going to be putting 3 bags of fert in the spreader so unless he is spreading on near vertical land, then I don't see the need for anywhere near a ton block on the front.

Our N123 can plough with our 4 furrow vari width Overum with no weight's fitted, obviously it performs better with weight for grip but we know it can do it as we did it when the tractor arrived here as we didn't have Valtra weight's.

The op needs a weight with will be versatile if he is going to use it on the back whilst handling bales as well as a front ballast, but I certainly wouldn't go daft as too much weight will only cause extra stress on the front axle and the tires will wear quicker.

 

[Bloders]

we use a 120HP tractor, 3 bags in the back and a 300kg weight on the front and its not quite enough.
I reckon 500kg would be ideal.
Front links have soft ride on them.

 

[Muddyroads]

This is what I got after much searching around:

 

[shumungus]

Yes any weight you can pick with the front links, can also be picked with the rear 3 point. The only thing to change may be the ball sizes, front link maybe cat 2, some are 3, mine are, but the rear 3 point will be cat 3, but it's just a simple mater of changing the balls.

No doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong but i think all tractors now have same size ball couplers on front and rear linkages regardless of linkage size ie: cat 3 balls on front cat 2 linkage.

 

[CPF]

Whatever you put on the front make sure it’s got a CE certificate rating, for insurance reasons . From experience had a front weight block break off where top link attaches .
I was driving along the road when it broke and went underneath the tractor taking the bottom of the tractor out . You can imagine the mess.
Very scary moment.
I could elaborate a lot more but for insurance reasons the CE mark makes life a lot easier .

 

[JamesM]

Whatever you put on the front make sure it’s got a CE certificate rating, for insurance reasons . From experience had a front weight block break off where top link attaches .
I was driving along the road when it broke and went underneath the tractor taking the bottom of the tractor out . You can imagine the mess.
Very scary moment.
I could elaborate a lot more but for insurance reasons the CE mark makes life a lot easier .

That sounds nasty, what kind/make of block was it? Got any pictures? What was the outcome? I presume you just had to suck it up?

 

[CPF]

The outcome was .the NFU was very good . Thankfully no one was injured would’ve been a different story if someone got injured
I’ve not got any pictures ( Joe public took loads ) Cannot remember the make but may have a picture of it on the tractor from the past .

 

[Fendt516profi]

I'm going to be spreading with 2or3 bags in on 165+ hp with 1150kg on front. I did a very simple calculation to work out what to use. 1 tractor +1 spreader +1 weight = all I have