Weight Box

[JDGreenGrass]

How much should I expect to pay for a JD ballast box.??

I thought I could use my Carry All loaded with wood but it has become clear to me, that isn't the most compact or efficient way to go. Too bulky.

I think I need a ballast box.

How much.??

 

[JB4310]

How much should I expect to pay for a JD ballast box.??

I thought I could use my Carry All loaded with wood but it has become clear to me, that isn't the most compact or efficient way to go. Too bulky.

I think I need a ballast box.

How much.??

Not sure on the price but it's pretty much a must have item, when I first got my tractor I got the box with it, since I was more use to skid steers I didn't realize the need for the ballast box, I thought it was more for just extreme cases.

So I was using the loader for a couple of weeks with no ballast, it will work even with full buckets, but it felt a little funny in some areas, so I tried the box filled with stone at first, that felt better. after a year I filled it with concrete.

You really need alot of weight back there, and like you said the box is the most compact way to get it.

Like the cereal commercial, (you would need X number of bowls of brand Y to equal one bowl of brand Z) you would need alot of wood to equal the weight of a heavy ballast box.

JB,

 

[Couple of Achers]

How much should I expect to pay for a JD ballast box.??

I thought I could use my Carry All loaded with wood but it has become clear to me, that isn't the most compact or efficient way to go. Too bulky.

I think I need a ballast box.

How much.??

If you would like to take on a DIY project, a lot of folks, and I mean a lot of folks on this site have made their own counter weights. A lot of different size and configuration. Search ballast or counter weight. You'll have a couple hours of reading. There are some very unique ideas out there.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Here's how I realized I need ballast.....

I was restoring my driveway (still am) so I was loading gravel into the bucket with just a rear blade. I noticed my rear-end felt a bit light but, no biggie. WRONG.!!.....I then got a glimpse of my front tires. OMG, they were flattened right out. Ballast box needed. Now I am moving the material with the back-blade, which works great.

I was told by the original owner that I wouldn't have the skill to fully load the bucket....oh yes I can.

I'm a rookie, can you tell.?? But, like soo many others, I am learning as I go.

Ain't it fun.

 

[JB4310]

The mistake I made was thinking the ballast box was more for traction and since I didn't have a problem with traction especially with 4x4. Didn't realize the need for "ballast" until things got a little squirrely.

 

[kennyd]

I think they retail for about $220 or so...money well spent IMO. Fill it with concrete and never look back.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I just bought a JD ballst box. $220 from the local dealer.

There is a cement plant right up the road from my work and they said they would fill it for me. Not sure if this my best option because I will be traveling 15 miles with fresh cement in the box. Not sure if it will slop out of the box some.?? And, it will have to cure in the back of my truck.

What do you all think.??

Also, if I do have them load it, can I lift it out of my truck on just the top pin.??

 

[kennyd]

I just bought a JD ballst box. $220 from the local dealer.

There is a cement plant right up the road from my work and they said they would fill it for me. Not sure if this my best option because I will be traveling 15 miles with fresh cement in the box. Not sure if it will slop out of the box some.?? And, it will have to cure in the back of my truck.

What do you all think.??

Also, if I do have them load it, can I lift it out of my truck on just the top pin.??

That is the way I filled mine...but I did it with my trailer. I also welded to hook on it so I had two places to lift from.

Be SURE to seal the seams inside with duct tape or caulk before the concrete goes in or it will leak everywhere-ask me how I know that?

 

[dcyrilc]

I just bought a JD ballst box. $220 from the local dealer.

There is a cement plant right up the road from my work and they said they would fill it for me. Not sure if this my best option because I will be traveling 15 miles with fresh cement in the box. Not sure if it will slop out of the box some.?? And, it will have to cure in the back of my truck.

What do you all think.??

Also, if I do have them load it, can I lift it out of my truck on just the top pin.??

You could ask them if it would be OK to leave it a day or two for the concrete to set before taking it home (concrete reaches 90% strength in 72 hrs). Assuming that they won't have a problem with that, you take a piece of #5 rabar about 2ft long and bend it into a "U" shape. You put it into the top of the concrete with about 3" of the bend remaining out of the top concrete to create a lift point. Most concrete plants make blocks out of their left over concrete and would be able to lift this to load it the same way the lift the blocks. After you get it home you can use a chain with the FEL to unload.

 

[JB4310]

Here's what I did, only thing I would do differently is use steel pipes, I was thinking as the concrete was curing man I'm kinda stuck if one of these plastic pipes break.

It would be hard to break the larger dia pipes but the smaller ones would probably give out with out trouble if banged into something.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../106388-pix-concrete-filled-ballast-box.html?