Case 95XT Counterweight And Stability Setup

[MikePhua]

Case 95XT Background And Design Focus
The Case 95XT skid steer is part of the XT series that Case launched in the late 1990s as a high-capacity, high–horsepower line aimed at construction, agriculture and rental fleets. The 95XT sits near the top of that family, with a rated operating capacity in the range of roughly 2,800–3,000 lb and a tipping load around 5,600–6,000 lb, depending on configuration and ballast. These machines were designed to take over jobs that previously needed small loaders or backhoes, so stability and lift capacity were major selling points.
Case Construction Equipment, whose roots trace back to the 19th century, has built millions of machines across tractors, loaders, backhoes and skid steers. By the 2000s, global skid steer sales across all brands were well into the tens of thousands of units per year, with Case consistently holding a noticeable share of that market. The 95XT’s reputation in particular revolves around strong hydraulic power, robust frames and the ability to carry heavy attachments like tree spades, cold planers and mulchers.
In that context, counterweights and stabilizing systems are not just accessories; they are essential tools for safely pushing the machine’s capabilities closer to its engineering limits.
Factory Case 95XT Counterweight Location
From the factory, the official counterweight for the Case 95XT is not a hanging slab or a tower block; it is a belly-style weight mounted under the machine. Owners who have inspected or installed them describe it as:

• Located beneath the main frame, not visible in side profile.
  
• Bolted up into the chassis so cleanly that it can be easy to miss unless you are underneath the skid steer.
  

This under-belly design helps preserve rear visibility and keeps the machine’s center of gravity low and central, which improves stability in all directions rather than just rearwards. It also avoids interfering with access to the rear door and engine service points.
Identifying Massive Tower-Mounted Weights
A buyer of a used 95XT reported receiving a machine with two huge steel masses on each rear tower, running nearly from the top to the bottom of the towers and estimated at about 6 inches thick and 6 inches wide. Just by rough measurement and experience, the owner guessed each side might weigh in the neighborhood of 600 lb.
This raised the question of whether these blocks were some kind of original factory counterweight or a one-off fabrication. Experienced mechanics and operators chimed in with explanations that shed light on a broader ecosystem of aftermarket stabilizers and fuel tanks that were commonly paired with machines like the 95XT.
Dutchman And Caretree Tower Stabilizers For Tree Work
One of the most plausible interpretations is that these tower structures are associated with Dutchman or Caretree stabilizers. These are systems designed specifically for tree spade work. Their main features include:

• Vertical towers mounted to the rear of the skid steer.
  
• Hydraulic cylinders built into each tower that can lift the rear of the machine off the ground.
  
• The ability to increase downforce on a tree spade by using the stabilizers to effectively “jack” the skid steer, pushing the blades deeper into tough soil.
  

These stabilizers are not solid steel blocks. Internally, they house hydraulic rams and structural members. The outer shells may appear like simple heavy plates, but inside there is a cavity for the ram and its associated hardware. The stabilizers typically have rods or hooks that allow additional weights to be hung off them when needed.
Typical weight figures mentioned for these stabilizers are:

• Stabilizer assemblies themselves weighing roughly 500 lb or slightly more in total.
  
• The recommended maximum added ballast hanging from them around 1,000 lb combined.
  

In total, the rear of the machine could see an extra 1,500 lb or more when fully ballasted, dramatically improving the skid steer’s ability to keep its rear planted while prying large trees out of the ground.
Saddlebag Fuel Tanks On XT Series Machines
Another add-on sometimes confused with counterweights on Case XT series machines is the so-called “saddlebag” fuel tank option. These tanks are:

• Mounted on the sides of the rear towers.
  
• Welded or bolted to the machine as extended fuel reservoirs.
  
• Used as an optional upgrade to increase on-board fuel capacity for long days on remote job sites.
  

Because they are boxy and positioned high on the towers, saddlebag tanks can look like improvised weights at first glance. However, their primary purpose is fuel storage, not ballast. Fully fueled, they do add weight and slightly shift the center of gravity, but not nearly as dramatically as dedicated steel counterweights or stabilizers.
Lift Capacity Stories And Development Testing
The 95XT has a reputation for being strong beyond its published numbers when properly ballasted. One seasoned operator recalled seeing development footage of a 95XT prototype lifting around 11,000 lb when the machine was tied down during testing.
This sort of test is not representative of normal operation, but it illustrates two key points:

• The structural framework and loader arms of the 95XT were engineered with significant strength reserve.
  
• With enough ballast and restraints, the hydraulic system can generate very high lift forces, far beyond what would be safe in a free-standing configuration.
  

In the field, users sometimes report safely handling loads in the 5,000–6,000 lb range with added counterweights and stabilizers, but this depends heavily on ground conditions, operator skill and attachment geometry. Manufacturers always emphasize rated operating capacity as the safe guideline, with additional ballast intended to improve stability within that limit, not to justify routinely exceeding it.
Why Rear Counterweights Matter On Skid Steers
Skid steers are compact and agile but inherently short in wheelbase and narrow in track. When lifting heavy loads with the arms extended, especially with:

• Pallet forks carrying high-stacked pallets.
  
• Tree spades full of soil.
  
• Grapples carrying logs or rocks.
  

the center of gravity can move dangerously toward the front. Rear counterweights and stabilizers help by:

• Shifting the overall center of gravity back toward the center of the machine.
  
• Increasing the tipping load, within structural limits.
  
• Allowing heavier implements to be used more confidently.
  

Typical data on skid steer balance indicates that a few hundred kilograms of rear ballast can increase practical operating capacity by several hundred kilograms before reaching tipping conditions, assuming the chassis and loader arms are strong enough. For instance, adding 1,000 lb of rear ballast to a machine originally rated at 2,800 lb may improve real-world stability noticeably when carrying tall pallets, though the manufacturer’s official rating does not change.
Assessing Unknown Weights On A Used 95XT
For someone who buys a used 95XT with unusual tower-mounted masses, it is wise to treat them like any unknown modification:

• Identify their purpose
  Look for hydraulic hoses, cylinders or linkage indicating stabilizer function. If there are ports and rams in the towers, they are likely stabilizers rather than simple solid weights.
  
• Estimate or measure their weight
  A simple way is to remove one and weigh it on a platform scale at a farm, grain elevator or scrap yard. If each piece truly weighs in the neighborhood of 600 lb, then a pair could add roughly 1,200 lb to the rear.
  
• Inspect welds, mounts and tower structure
  Check for cracks, distortion or poorly executed welds where towers join the frame. Additional static weight plus dynamic loads from bumps and impacts can stress these joints over time.
  
• Consider your typical work
  If your primary jobs involve grading, light loading or snow removal, such heavy tower-mounted weights may be unnecessary or even undesirable, as they increase ground pressure and can make the machine feel tail-heavy when empty.
  

When Keeping Heavy Counterweights Makes Sense
Retaining heavy stabilizers or tower weights is most beneficial for:

• Tree spade work, where downpressure on the spade is critical.
  
• Handling very heavy attachments like large mulchers or planers.
  
• Loading and unloading dense materials such as concrete blocks, steel or stone.
  

In these roles, a 95XT with tower stabilizers and additional weight can behave more like a compact wheel loader in terms of lift stability, especially when the stabilizers are used to press the rear of the machine firmly into the ground.
Operators in tree-moving businesses often describe their machines as feeling “twice as steady” with properly used stabilizers and ballast, enabling them to dig and carry 4–5 inch caliper trees with large soil balls more confidently.
When Removing Or Reducing Weight Is A Good Idea
On the other hand, there are valid reasons to take such weights off:

• Transport weight limits
  Adding over half a ton to the rear of a machine can push truck and trailer combinations closer to legal limits. Reducing weight may simplify haulage.
  
• Maneuverability and wear
  Extra weight increases tire wear, fuel consumption and ground damage, especially on soft soils or finished lawns.
  
• General-purpose usage
  For landscaping, site cleanup or farm chores, an over-ballasted machine can feel sluggish and nose-light when empty, making it more likely to rear up on steep ramps or when stopping suddenly.
  

For someone who originally bought the machine “to sell it,” discovering such heavy add-ons might complicate resale. However, for a buyer engaged in tree spade or heavy material handling work, those same add-ons can be a significant selling point.
Practical Recommendations For 95XT Counterweight Decisions
Anyone dealing with a Case 95XT and unusual rear weight setups can follow a straightforward decision path:

• Confirm where the official belly-mounted counterweight is and whether it is present.
  
• Identify any additional tower-mounted structures as stabilizers, saddlebag fuel tanks or one-off custom weights.
  
• Inspect mounting hardware, welds and towers for signs of fatigue.
  
• Weigh or estimate the extra tower weight accurately, aiming to know total added mass within ±10%.
  
• Match the ballast setup to actual use:
  • Keep or refine it for heavy lifting or tree work.
    
  • Reduce or remove it for light-duty, general-purpose work or frequent transport.
    

Balancing safety, productivity and machine wear is the goal. In many cases, a combination of the under-belly factory counterweight and appropriately sized stabilizers gives the best mix of capability and handling without overloading the frame.
Conclusion Case 95XT Balance As A Tool
The Case 95XT is a strong, capable skid steer whose design invites owners to push its limits with heavy attachments and demanding tasks. Factory belly counterweights and aftermarket systems like Dutchman or Caretree stabilizers are part of a broader strategy to keep that power under control.
Understanding whether a massive tower-mounted structure is a stabilizer assembly, a saddlebag fuel tank or a custom counterweight helps owners make informed choices about keeping, modifying or removing it. With careful inspection, realistic load expectations and a clear view of the work ahead, the 95XT can be tuned with ballast to suit everything from delicate grading to serious tree moving — always with stability as the key to safe, productive operation.