lessons learned with laden loader

[k0ua]

"1) Tractors actually have rear brakes, just dont work too well when heavily loaded on the front wheels."

I meant to say tractors don't have front brakes.

Lesson 5) read over my post before submitting it.

if it any consolation, I took a ride down a steep road covered with Gravel in the 2WD mode once with a heavy load in the bucket. I learned real quick about 4WD and having some braking action and more contact patch. This was just engine braking that caused the rears to slip and loose traction. Not enough ballast on back. I had some, a rotary cutter, but it was not enough to keep the rears from being a little "light". These are the type of lessons that stick with you, and you are not liable to forget. Glad all is well, and the laundry bill is the only casualty

James K0UA

[heviduty]

Ballast the rear tires, makes a big difference.

The tires are ballasted. I plan to purchase a box blade, which should help the situation. I have a friend who told me he leaves a Bush Hog attached for ballast. I should have taken the hint. Oh, well, we live and learn... if we live through it.

[sandman2234]

Too soon old, too late smart comes to mind. Remember that adding rear ballast doesn't increase the tractors capacity, only allows you to manage it better. Overloading will bring a post about broken front axle or gears next, and those parts are never cheap.
Glad all ended up well!!!
David from jax

[k0ua]

The tires are ballasted. I plan to purchase a box blade, which should help the situation. I have a friend who told me he leaves a Bush Hog attached for ballast. I should have taken the hint. Oh, well, we live and learn... if we live through it.

Now you can take this piece of advice or not, it is up to you, and there is disagreement on this forum on what I am about to say. The Bush Hog, or what ever else you hang out on the back will help a lot, and If you operate in open country all the time and not around buildings and trees, it is fine, but If you operate in "close" quarters all the time, like I do, you will cuss that thing hanging on the back every time you ram it into a tree, and scrape the side out of a building.. Get or Make a ballast box, that tucks in close to the rear of the tractor and has the recommended weight for your tractor/loader combination. Mine weighs 750lbs, and often has a lot of chain and tools in it so more like 800. It is on the light side for the capabliity's of my new tractor, as it was built with the last tractor in mind. Others will disagree, and say "I am not going to pack a useless implement around" well, I disagree and say it is not useless. It is helping to save your life and keep your tractor sheetmetal unblemished. Good luck.

James K0UA

[RoyJackson]

Now you can take this piece of advice or not, it is up to you, and there is disagreement on this forum on what I am about to say. The Bush Hog, or what ever else you hang out on the back will help a lot, and If you operate in open country all the time and not around buildings and trees, it is fine, but If you operate in "close" quarters all the time, like I do, you will cuss that thing hanging on the back every time you ram it into a tree, and scrape the side out of a building.. Get or Make a ballast box...

James K0UA

I agree 100%.
Most implements aren't really heavy enough. A cutter might come close, but what a PITA they can be to maneuver.

[soulasphil]

I think that when carrying heavy weights with the FEL you need a lot of ballast at the back. It also makes the tractor much easier to handle.

[heviduty]

As mentioned earlier, the rear wheels are ballasted, but In light of the replies, I reread my loader manual and where I thought it said "...rear ballast should be added to the rear of the tractor in the form of 3-point counter weight or rear wheel ballast.", what it actually says is "...rear ballast should be added to the rear of the tractor in the form of 3-point counter weight and rear wheel ballast."

Now I must add "make/get ballast box" to my list of newbie tractor owner things to do.

Thanks to all who responded with the good advice.

[RoyJackson]

Minor addendum, if someone hasn't already suggested it, is inflate your front tires to the maximum before any loader work.
I haven't had a front tire roll off the rim yet...but it was pretty close ONE time...

[tonyoz]

A good rear weight can be made out of a oil drum. Punch a hole in each end and incert a rod right threw (rod should be the same size as your 3pt),then fill the drum with concrete. It's cheap and works a dream.

[k0ua]

Here is mine, made out a a 55 gallon drum, (had Chinese apple juice in it):

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/b...ilt-today.html

Obviously it is on my old 'bota and has a sprayer hangin off of the two inch hitch receiver in the rear. and shows the tool pipes I put in it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/o...ballast-3.html

Post 26 has some good pix and post 21 has a description. Good Luck

James K0UA