ballast - how much is too much?

[mike123]

Hi guys. I have been having a little bit of troubles with traction in the snow. I have a plow and a blower and both are around 1100 lbs.

I have 300 lbs in the bed now. I am going to make up some lead bars and bolt them in the back of the bed.

At which weight do you think I will have to much for the Toolcat?

Thanks Mike

 

[DEWFPO]

I can't help with a ballast recommendation but was working on my SB200-72" about an hour ago an noticed the plate says it weighs 843 lbs. I assume you must have a 240 or similar blower. My 84" BC snowblade weighs 620 lbs. so that must be some blade you have. I've been having traction issues as well on steep paved drives that are iced over and are seriously considering chains.

DEWFPO

 

[dylan]

I currently run 400 lbs of flat steel plate and 100 litres of extra fuel for weight. Last year I used 800 lbs of plate and I really don't seem to notice a difference. I did however snap the rear leaf springs last winter. Maybe too much weight bouncing around at 15 mph.

 

[Spudgunner]

I use 9 of those 67# landscape blocks.

I cut a stall pad to the size of the bed, bolted some 2x's to the bed sides using 2-1/4" stove bolts (the square hole is already in the stake pockets of the TC's bed) and put the blocks on top of the pad. Works great...the six-sided blocks (3x3) interlock well across the TC's bed and the pad helps to further keep them in place. After I put the blocks in, I fashioned a cover for them by screwing a piece of OSB into the 2x's that I had mounted to the interior stake pockets.

You can get the stall pads at "Ranch and Home" types of places. They are tough...they're built to stand-up to shod hooves.

 

[mike123]

I can't help with a ballast recommendation but was working on my SB200-72" about an hour ago an noticed the plate says it weighs 843 lbs. I assume you must have a 240 or similar blower. My 84" BC snowblade weighs 620 lbs. so that must be some blade you have. I've been having traction issues as well on steep paved drives that are iced over and are seriously considering chains.

DEWFPO

yes I think I have the 2400. I will take a look next time at the shop.

Dylan I also have a 140 liter tank in the back. So I am close to you know. From your experience it sounds like more ballast isn't going to help.