When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?

[Mosey]

When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL and how much weight is needed? That is, do you need it for everything you do with the loader or just real heavy loads? For example, if you have a bucket heaping full of wet dirt, I'm guessing rear ballast is needed, but what if it's just dry sand filled level with the top of the bucket or a half bucket of water.

 

[FamilyFarm]

Re: When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL?

You need rear ballast for all FEL work in my opinion!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Having said that, there are certainly times when I don't have anything on the rear and will use the FEL for a really small task. I keep the load light and low and move slowly - so far no mishaps. But, I just think it is too easy to overestimate the safety of the doing this, especially with a light tractor - best to be safe than sorry (old cliche, but very true!).
I didn't notice what tractor you have. I would think there is a big difference in moving a light load with a heavier tractor vs lighter. For instance, moving 250 lbs of material with a Kubota 723 loader/L3130 tractor combo that weighs probably 4,000lbs should be a non issue. Moving 250 lbs. with my BX22 that weighs about 2,000 lbs (with BH removed) is a potential problem!
Be careful - there are cheap ways to make a ballast for your tractor - for sure less than one emergency room visit + tractor repair for one mishap! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Not to mention the pain and suffering! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Terry

 

[Mosey]

Thanks for the info. I have a New Holland TC29D, which weighed about 2500lbs without a FEL, but now it's over 2900lbs with the Bush Hog M246 FEL mounting brackets and the FEL detached, and the FEL with bucket adds another 1000lbs.

 

[Spencer]

Re: When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL?

Mosey, I have two sets of NH wheel weights on my rear tires but the rear tires are not loaded. I can feel the rear end of the tractor getting very light if I am moving while the bucket is at least 2/3 full and there is no 3-pt attachment mounted.

 

[sandyc]

Re: When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL?

Danny
I leave my weight box on my bx2200 whenever I have the FEL on or using the front mount snowblower or blade. My rear Ags are also loaded....guess it is like an ounce of prevention.
The weight box is worth the $$

 

[tdenny]

Re: When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL?

Danny,

My tires are loaded so it's not normally a real issue but I also like to leave my box blade on the back most of the time. If you have one of those it makes a pretty good counterbalance. Mine weighs in at 440 lbs. or so. I would much rather load the tires than use wheel weights though. You can easily load them yourself. Good luck!

 

[Mosey]

Actually, I'd prefer not to load the tires or use weights. I don't want the extra weight on the tractor when I'm not using the FEL. I'd prefer to add the weight on the 3pt. I'm just trying to get an idea of when I will need it and how much weight I'll need.

 

[tdenny]

Danny,

I'm assuming you don't want to load the tires because you are worried about dinging up your lawn? I can't see any other reason not to load the tires but my wife continually tells me I have a small brain so.....

My "lawn" isn't golf course quality but the extra weight in the tires hasn't caused any problems at all. At any rate you will really want something back there. I move alot of rocks (all sizes) and if I didn't have that weight on I'm sure I'd be tractoring around on two wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My dealer filled my rear tires without asking - they won't sell a compact with FEL without filling the rear tires. Almost all the work I've done so far, I've had the box blade hanging off the back, and I've never felt any lack of confidence - it seems to be pretty good balance. Yesterday, I picked it up from the dealer after the 50 hour check. I had purchased a used, damaged, 6' box blade from them for another project. Because it was in for service, my box blade was not installed. We used my FEL to pick up and load that 6' box blade onto the trailer. I don't know what it weighs, but it's got to be around 600 pounds, at least. Now I know what it feels like to be unbalanced - I thought I was going to be standing on my nose several times as I manuevered that thing around.

So, my answer is that even with loaded rear tires, you need to have something hanging off the back - a box blade, weights, something, in order to feel secure. It might not tip without the weight, but you'll feel queasy.

 

[JohnMiller3]

Re:When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?-ALWAYS!

“Proper ballasting maintains proper balance for stability and control…”

In a blink of the eye.. you’re dead…

Maintaining proper ballast…especially with a front end loader...