Hi Jason,
   Good news, Ed Brandt, the fellow who is trucking the loader down to you has finally picked up the loader. Hope it makes it down to you. We could not put the counter-weight on his trailer.... he had so much junk on the trailer before he even arrived!!! The loader has a blade, not a bucket, so you shouldn't need the counter-weight unless you put a bucket on. You would definately need it then. it was in so-so shape, but I still have it here ... I could at least give you dimensions if you want to fabricate one....all it is is a steel box filled with cement.  I took a bunch of pictures and put them on a disc for you, but I forgot to send it along with the loader, but if you send me your address, I will mail it to you.... it may help in the reassembly process. I tried to cap off the Hydraulic lines..... they aren't worth reusing, but it will give a good pattern for replacement sizes. By the way, on the hydraulic oil reservoir,(it has the control valves on top) I looped one of the hoses together. The fittings are just finger-tight. I did this to cap off the fittings to keep dirt out. 
    The only other little snafu was on the pto shaft connecting the hydraulic pump to the front pulley... there is a portion of the coupling that I could not get off of my tractor, I tried heating it, I tried a gear puller and only ended up cracking the pulley on the crank shaft. (the pulley is cast iron, hence brittle.) so I guess it will stay. it is a common connector, so you should be able to replace it. let me know if it arrives. And good luck with it!!! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> 
                          Cal