Weight block

File:Claas xerion with weight box at LAMMA 2011 - IMG 6064.jpg

Large front linkage mounted weight block-box on Claas Xerion

A Weight Block is a attachment / accesory used on tractors fitted with front-loaders or with a front linkage. The extra weight is used to balance the machine up when working with a large mounted implements on the rear linkage or a hevey attachment or lifting large loads like bales with a tractor loader.

The extra weight makes the machine more stable and als gives better traction (especialy with front loaders).

Early weights were often home made from a block of concrete cast in a drum (somtimes with cast iron scrap added as it is denser) Modern weights are cast iron with built in atachment points and some are modular allowing extra sections to be added to suit the job.

Tractors with a front linkage can pick the weights up off the floor easily and the extra weight stops the tractor bouncing and increase tractive effort by reducing wheel slip on Four-wheel drive models.

Some designs have built in tool boxes or can be filled with sand or water as ballast.

Alternatives

Roadless Ploughmaster with 3 bolt-on weights

The earlier alternative for front weights was a fixed frame with 25 or 50 kg cast slabs that hooked on or just bolting shaped units direct to the front casting which on some makes had suitable threaded holes included at the factory.

The economy solution was a front box bolted betwen two angle iron rails bolted to the side frames and loaded up with old cast iron 1 stone weight from the scales and old combine rear wheel weights or even old anchor chain.

See also

• Agricultural machinery
• Glossary Index