Question about wheel weights

devans · Oct 2, 2014

This coming weekend I'm going to a swap meet and one of the main things I'm looking for is wheel weights for my 816.
Realistically I doubt I'll find actual gravely weights but I was wondering what other manufacturers weights will fit.
What should I look for and watch out for? Are there any dimensions I should check. Anything that you can think of at all that will help. I expect this to end up being a major purchase money wise and would hate to buy something I can't use.
And in case someone offers, sorry but I'm not going to make the mow-in and unless you're close enough for me to drive to or the weights are extremely cheap shipping would probably kill me. Just being honest here.
Thanks in advance.

CADplans · Oct 2, 2014

The 12" rims are all the same, they virtually all fit,,,

Cub Cadet will work, but, may cost more than Gravely,,,, :hide:

Only two bolts per side are needed!! :fing32:

devans · Oct 2, 2014

Ha, Yeah I've noticed those cub guys are pretty proud of their stuff. Lols. I do see the cubs a lot at Zagrays.
I was kind of thinking that just about any should fit but I really wanted to be sure. Like I said I figure I'll drop some pretty decent money on them.
What about fronts if that comes up?

TUDOR · Oct 2, 2014

Front wheel weights in both concrete and cast iron are available for 8" rims. They're usually sold as rear wheel weights for LT's and may require holes to be drilled.

devans · Oct 2, 2014

Thanks for the help gents.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL · Oct 2, 2014

Don,

If you can find GRAVELY weights, they have some advantages in my mind.

The original GRAVELY rear weights, 45 lbs each, fit completely inside the wheels, not making the tractor any wider clearance wise.

Same with the 15 lb front weights. Or, if you want more weight in front, GRAVELY also made the ones I have, 35 lbs each - but hard to find.

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These front weights were actually rear weights for the 1100/1200/GEM tractors, but dealers quickly figured out they worked on the front wheels of the bigger tractors.

Sheldon

gravely1964 · Oct 2, 2014

Here's my front weights that came with the 82 8163-B for the tiller. It needs alot more :duh:

PA RedRider · Oct 2, 2014

I'd be on the look-out for a set of the two-piece Cub wheel weights in cast iron. I have a set on my 16-G and like them a lot.

WH401 · Oct 2, 2014

I have 3 sets of rear weights; 1 set of the plastic concrete filed, 1 set of a random iron 12" weights, and 1 set of the Gravely 45lb weights like Sheldon showed. I have only used the plastic filled ones, and I had them on the tractor all last winter. They worked fine for their intended purpose, but as far as appearance they aren't pleasant. I hope to mount the 2 sets of iron weights on tractors this year. As CADPlans said, the nice thing about our tractors is that any standard 12 weight from any brand will pretty much fit. I bought the generic round 12" iron weights because they were only $40 for the set. I lucked out on the Gravely weights and only paid $60. A set of the same weights just went on eBay for $236 + $27 for shipping.

mg:

Rick

munderhill · Oct 2, 2014

Bolens rear weights for 12" wheels are among my favorite. I located both of my sets in Ct. They are quite popular and HEAVY!
Fit flush with wheel and fit about every 12" wheel I know of. I have 2 pairs on my WH's.
I lucked out recently and found/bought a 6' set (pair) for the front from a memebr here.:fing32:

MU

steved · Oct 2, 2014

Cast weights are gold filled around here...usually fetching upwards of $200/set on CL. I can buy a set of Farm Tractor cast weights in the 200# each range for less. I have watched for nearly five years, looking for a set for my Jacobsen. I eventually found a guy selling the citrus based tire ballast for $100...ended up with 200 gallons of it for cheaper than cast weights.

I ended up buying a set of plastic coated weights from an older Sears...they are 55# each and should serve my purpose. I only paid $25 for the set. I'm going to use them on the 450 with liquid ballast to counter the snow blower.

devans · Oct 3, 2014

I looked on CL last night and was blown away at the price variations I saw. Anywhere from $50 to $250 with Bolens weights being the most expensive. This was doing a search of New England and New York.
I do intend to look for Gravely weights but as I said I'm not very optimistic there will be any there. Not a real strong Gravely showing at Zagrays at least as far as parts go.
I bought my old style sulky tires from a cub guy, anyone need a set of front rims for a cub?
A gentleman I know has a cool set of weights, two piece and they go on the inside of the rim. I wouldn't mind a set of those but he's only ever seen that set and won't part with them.
I don't want to sound snobbish but the plastic covered weights just don't do it for me. To me it screams cheap as in quality. It's like putting spinner rims on a caddy. Lols. Probably good in a pinch but just not my cup of tea.
While I understand and agree on having weights that are flush or under flush if they stick out a little it's no big deal for me. Everything else that will be attached to the tractor sticks out past the wheels anyway.
I did look at a few threads last night and there were some home made ones that hung out 10" or so. Sorry but no.
Now I'm not putting anyone down for doing or using the things I mentioned I'm just giving my opinion on what I like or don't.
Another option I have if finding wheel weights doesn't work out is setting up suitcase weights.
Thanks for all the informative replies, they've been very helpful.

MADD Man · Oct 3, 2014

Just keep in mind bolens weights are 50 lbs each, Sears are 33 lbs and Cubs are 25 lbs each.

Sent from the MTF Free App

CADplans · Oct 3, 2014

MADD Man said:
Just keep in mind bolens weights are 50 lbs each, Sears are 33 lbs and Cubs are 25 lbs each.

Also keep in mind, too much weight can be as bad as not enough weight,,,,

The loss of mobility can come from adding too much mass, BTDT,,

We thought adding burlap sacks filled with sand to the back of a '51 Chevy pickup would make it go.

The sacks weighed about 100 pounds each.

It did go, the 10 sacks of sand made it go straight down into the mud.

We dumped the sand, and drove the pickup out of the mud.

That was a LOT of shoveling, for nothing!! :sidelaugh

devans · Oct 3, 2014

MADD Man said:
Just keep in mind bolens weights are 50 lbs each, Sears are 33 lbs and Cubs are 25 lbs each.

Sent from the MTF Free App

Thanks for that bit of info, I'll keep that in mind if I find anything this weekend.

PA RedRider · Oct 3, 2014

Food for thought is that although you don't like the plastic coated weights for cosmetic reasons, they actually do not damage the paint on the rims, which is nice. I had a set of Craftsman weights before locating (Thanks again Traktortag for the E-Bay tip) my current set of 2-piece Cub weights. They served me well and did no damage to the paint. I can't say that about the several sets of cast weights I have now.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL · Oct 3, 2014

I considered plastic wheel weights when I was searching for rear weights. My local Cub dealer had some 70 lb ones for under $200 a pair. And I considered the paint issue.

BUT, the plastic 70 lb weights stuck out nearly 3", and every used set of plastic weights I saw were falling apart, had cracks in the plastic, etc, giving me the feeling that even brand new plastic ones would not hold up well over the long haul. I'm not big on replacing stuff when a longer lasting version can be had.......

Cast iron weights, especially original GRAVELY ones, can be pricey on the used market - but they will never wear out, and I can always give them a coat of paint.

And, my experience with the cast weights is yes, you might put a small mark or two in the paint on your wheels, but if you are careful when removing and installing them, it is very minimal. And, they need to be tight and well seated so they are not moving around scratching the paint.

My front weights have only been off the tractor twice since their original install. There was no rust or damage of any measure, even after nearly 10 years without removing the front weights.

I have only had the rear weights a few years, and they have been off a few times for various reasons, PTO clutch replacement being one, and I have yet to see any issues of rust or deterioration as a result of any minor damage to the paint on the rear wheels as well.

So, I originally thought the paint thing might be a concern, but as it turns out, it has not been a problem for my tractor.

Sheldon

yamato72 · Oct 3, 2014

PA RedRider said:
Food for thought is that although you don't like the plastic coated weights for cosmetic reasons, they actually do not damage the paint on the rims, which is nice.

Even taking precautions, the cast iron wheel weights finally trashed the wheels on my 18-G (and the factory paint was near perfect). In my case the Gravely weights I'm using are not quite right for the 8.5" wheels on my tractor.

devans · Oct 3, 2014

Okay, here are my thoughts.
As much as I like for my machines to look nice they are there to work. They will get scratched, dented and just plain messed up.
I don't have a problem with refurbishing them when needed. The cost of doing business if you will. I have enough machines that pulling one out of service for a bit isn't going to keep me from doing what needs to be done.
I grew up working on cars that had more steel in a bumper than most cars have total today. Not really but you know what I mean. When the car manufacturers started using more and more plastic making cars it just always looked cheap to me. I just like something that looks like it will still be around long after I'm gone and still in use.
And if I goof up and hit something, did I say "IF", it's nice to know that it won't just crumble. BTW I have lots of rocks on my property that stick out of the ground enough to bang the weights on.
As I said before I'm not bashing the plastic/concrete wheel weights or people that use them, there just not for me.
I have been enjoying the discussion this has brought out, it's given me some things to think about and that is the other intent of the original question.

TUDOR · Oct 3, 2014

CADplans said:
Also keep in mind, too much weight can be as bad as not enough weight,,,,

The loss of mobility can come from adding too much mass, BTDT,,

We thought adding burlap sacks filled with sand to the back of a '51 Chevy pickup would make it go.

The sacks weighed about 100 pounds each.

It did go, the 10 sacks of sand made it go straight down into the mud.

We dumped the sand, and drove the pickup out of the mud.

That was a LOT of shoveling, for nothing!! :sidelaugh

CAD, didn't your mama ever tell you not to play in the mud? :sidelaugh

Question about wheel weights

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TUDOR

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ATLANTIC CENTRAL

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WH401

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