DFB
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2000
- Messages
- 2,923
- Location
- Southern VT, Southern ME
- Tractor
- John Deere 4100 HST /410 FEL, R4s
I know thru previous posts there are all types of ballasting being used. Some of the ideas are quite creative for sure. Weight being the important factor. Anyhow my tractor (JD) came with a loader operators' manual and it is specific on how much weight to use on different models as proper loader ballast.
I was wondering if some of the other manufacturers have similar recommendations. What I find most interesting is how different sized tractors require different weight. Larger tractors need less especially if liquid ballast is used in the tires and on smaller tractors it's relative to which tire type is also being used. Example; according to the manual if using loaded AG's(R1's) on the JD 4100, minimum 3-point ballast is 895 lbs compared to using loaded turfs or R4's where minimum 3 point ballast is listed as 725 lbs. and when using 6 wheel weights (360 lbs total) the minimum factory recommended 3-point ballast is 770 lbs for Ag's and 750 for turfs and R4's. Also if using loader forks or bale spears an additional 187 lbs is required on the 3-point. Thats some serious weight for sure
John Deere recommends ballast requirements of either wheel weights (6) or liquid ballast and 3 point ballast on all the tractors in this manual the largest being the 4400 calling for 550 lbs min. with loaded tires (all types) and 770lbs with 6 weights.
I would have to think most people don't use these min. recommended weights for everyday use. I know I don't. Not including using my loaded ballast box (780 lb when filled with concrete) the best amount of weight combination I can come up would be my tiller @ 418 lbs and 4 wheel weights 240 @ lbs. 658 lbs total. A bit shy (about 40%) of the recommended minimum of 1085 lbs for loader use.
I have to wonder if minimum recommendations and the numbers the factory provides are overkill. Or is a key factor in keeping all 4 wheels on the ground, especially when using the loader to maximum heights, (in my case 882 lbs at pivot pin, 781 lbs at cutting edge) in those numbers the factory provides. I've used a lot of different ballast weights in my short time with my tractor and the stability of the tractor/loader was greatly improved the closer I got to the "minimum" recommended weight requirements./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I was wondering if some of the other manufacturers have similar recommendations. What I find most interesting is how different sized tractors require different weight. Larger tractors need less especially if liquid ballast is used in the tires and on smaller tractors it's relative to which tire type is also being used. Example; according to the manual if using loaded AG's(R1's) on the JD 4100, minimum 3-point ballast is 895 lbs compared to using loaded turfs or R4's where minimum 3 point ballast is listed as 725 lbs. and when using 6 wheel weights (360 lbs total) the minimum factory recommended 3-point ballast is 770 lbs for Ag's and 750 for turfs and R4's. Also if using loader forks or bale spears an additional 187 lbs is required on the 3-point. Thats some serious weight for sure
John Deere recommends ballast requirements of either wheel weights (6) or liquid ballast and 3 point ballast on all the tractors in this manual the largest being the 4400 calling for 550 lbs min. with loaded tires (all types) and 770lbs with 6 weights.
I would have to think most people don't use these min. recommended weights for everyday use. I know I don't. Not including using my loaded ballast box (780 lb when filled with concrete) the best amount of weight combination I can come up would be my tiller @ 418 lbs and 4 wheel weights 240 @ lbs. 658 lbs total. A bit shy (about 40%) of the recommended minimum of 1085 lbs for loader use.
I have to wonder if minimum recommendations and the numbers the factory provides are overkill. Or is a key factor in keeping all 4 wheels on the ground, especially when using the loader to maximum heights, (in my case 882 lbs at pivot pin, 781 lbs at cutting edge) in those numbers the factory provides. I've used a lot of different ballast weights in my short time with my tractor and the stability of the tractor/loader was greatly improved the closer I got to the "minimum" recommended weight requirements./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif