How Do I Make Tractor Counterweights?

Measure the distance between the tractor's grill and the weight rack bar. You must account for this distance when designing your weights or they will not fit on your tractor. Measure the diameter of the weight bar on the counterweight rack. Find a cylindrical object of equal or greater diameter that is at least four inches tall: an aluminum can or a one-liter bottle, for example.

Cut the 8-foot two-by-four into four equal parts, one cut every two feet for a total of three cuts. Make a square by placing each of your 2-foot boards on its side and hammering them together. Butt the end of one board up against the face of the end of another. Do this with all four boards to make your square. Hammer the boards together.

Smear concrete releasing agent over one side of your plywood board. Smear the inside walls of your square with releasing agent. You do not want bits and pieces of wood stuck to your weights after the concrete cures. Place your square on top of the plywood. Place the cylindrical object inside the square at a distance from one side of the square that is equal or less than the distance from the rack bar to the grill.

Pour the concrete mix into the five-gallon bucket. Add the amount of water specified in the concrete mix instructions to the bucket and stir. Pour the concrete into your square. Make sure your cylindrical object does not move. Fill to the top of the square's sides. Trowel the concrete smooth and allow it to cure for 24 hours.

Release your counterweight from the square by removing the nails and separating the weight from the boards. Remove the weight from the plywood board and attach it to the rack bar. If you need additional weights, duplicate the process.