Counterweight 4200XL excavator

[Northern Farmer]

Anyone ever modify the counter weight on their 4200 ? Only 5 screws holding it in place seems like it wouldn't be too difficult to bring it to a machine shop and for them to make a new one that's slightly longer and heavier which should help when digging.

[Northern Farmer]

I see Premacon offers a heavier counterweight for their 944 excavator would be cool to see one fitted on the 4200

[Rimrock]

Some have made a bigger counterweight out of sheet metal, filled up the space inside with steelbars, or lead. The simplest option might be to ad a steel flat-bar, in front of original counterweight, adding both more weight and moving the counterweight more back, if you understand. Machining a bigger, look-alike counterweight is quite costly

[Northern Farmer]

Rimrock that's great idea adding a metal plate/block in front of the counterweight. Currently unscrewing the counterweight but of course one screw has to be stripped...darn powder coating doesn't make things easy.

[Dieselchopper]

I have not gotten to it but as time and other projects permit I plan to change counter weight and oil tank. I find it a pain to change the oil as there is no drain and feel that a bigger oil tank would help this machine as well. Was planning to weigh the current counter weight and full oil tank. Then figure out about a 30% to 50% weight increase. and see how well it would work to turn counter weight into large oil tank. Have always thought this hoe needed more counter weight.

[Northern Farmer]

Here's the counterweight on the 4200. 3 lbs all aluminum. One made entirely of steel would weigh more. Think I'll be busy Monday calling some machining shops to see what they could do for me.

[Cooper]

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...t=9048&page=16

This is what I did for some extra poundage.

[Northern Farmer]

Thanks for the idea Cooper saved a couple pictures of your counterweight build

[thetractorfan]

if you are going to add weight, make sure your weight is under the capacity of your track motors so you don`t burn them out.

[Northern Farmer]

Bought a solid filled steel block at a metal scrap yard 3"x3"x10" and dropped off the counter weight this afternoon to be machined down to the same specs. Should be close to 3X heavier then the aluminum one. While I was at the machinist shop I asked to have made 5 new steel teeth for the siberia heavy duty bucket, should last a lot longer then the aluminum ones that come with it.

[Bo Wallen]

Good idea with added counterweight.......just an idea if it's still too light make it hollow and fill it with lead. I wonder what kind of camera you use ? so clear picture and neat area.

[Supermario]

Andy did a nice job extending his. Definitely my favourite, most customized 4200 out there IMO

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...t=9415&page=17

[Northern Farmer]

Originally Posted by Bo Wallen

Good idea with added counterweight.......just an idea if it's still too light make it hollow and fill it with lead. I wonder what kind of camera you use ? so clear picture and neat area.

Originally I was thinking of going with lead but I think it might be overkill. New countervweight should weigh roughly 9-10 lbs as apose to the 3 lbs aluminum one it comes with.

Originally Posted by Supermario

Andy did a nice job extending his. Definitely my favourite, most customized 4200 out there IMO

http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...t=9415&page=17

Andy is my inspiration! The detail he has put into his 4200 is insane!

[Northern Farmer]

Originally Posted by Bo Wallen

I wonder what kind of camera you use ? so clear picture and neat area.

Lol it's clean because it's my kitchen table! I use an ipad air to take the pictures seems to take decent shots will see how it does for filming come summer time.

[Bo Wallen]

Hmmmm......How the heck did you got permit to use the kitchen table!
If i go near that pans and all kind of thing start flying around ......and loud voices can be heard.

[Northern Farmer]

Lmao I have no more room the 1/5 scales take up the garage. RC's all over the house!

[RCP57]

I wouldn't make the rear too heavy. I'm sure with your new weight it will be plenty. My Volvo is bigger but only weighs a little over 40# without the 9# battery. Once the battery is in place near the back of the machine it will pick up a fair bit but unfortunately all of the weight being on the rear does not help when digging. My machine will lift up easily when digging down into harder ground. This problem is only compounded when digging uphill on a slope. Unfortunately my track motors are not strong enough for me to add more weight into the undercarriage so I'm screwed.lol

[Northern Farmer]

Yeah I don't want to overdue it like you said it kind of defeats the purpose. If I remember right the 4200 weighs in at 38lbs with new counter weight will be around 47lbs.

[Bo Wallen]

Today it's Roses to Honey Tomorrow attack the kitchen.......yeha

[Northern Farmer]

Lmao that's about right!