Dumb question: Why do you need Ballast?

[milkman]

Logic just eludes some people.:confused2:

 

[bstrom]

Well the balancing load is behind the rear axle. If you take a toy car (I just happen to have one on my desk and push down on it's rear bumper behind the rear axle the front wheels come up into the air. The weight is lifted off the front axle. Same principle with the three point hitch weight I believe.

 

[LBrown59]

In my mind its because as you put weight on the loader it will tend to lighten the rear tires and since the front tires will dig in it will reduce traction. Or is it due to a roll over risk if you try to lift something too heavy up front? Just wondering because I am planning to get a 2360BX and just didn't know how much loader work you can do without ballast and what the ballast is trying to prevent

The top priorty priority of ballast is to counter rollover risk.
A side but less important benefit of ballist is a traction aid.

1*It only takes a small bump or off camber situation to make you feel like you are going to tip over (sideways).
I keep my back hoe on my unit, and it is very good ballast. A box blade can do the same, especially if you add some weight to it.
2*I don't like ballast boxes because that is all they do, add weight. You can get that weight with other attachments that are actually tools serving a purpose.

1*Even a ground hog hole can cause a roll over even on flat land level land.
2*Get an implement forget a ballast box.

1*I have used FEL sans ballast, but do not recommend it.
2*As to the second part, my preference is for a four foot on a BX.

1*Not the way to go.
2*I think the manual says 48'' MAx.

 

[IdahoTractor]

Beyond stability, rear (3ph) ballast when using the FEL avoids overloading the front axle.

If the front axle is overloaded, then the FEL is being used far beyond its rated load capacity (ballast or no ballast).

 

[Ken45101]

If the front axle is overloaded, then the FEL is being used far beyond its rated load capacity (ballast or no ballast).

On a properly designed tractor, I doubt that you can overload the components with dirt, gravel, etc. Now if you loaded up the FEL with lead or gold :confused2: it would be a different situation. Still, at that point you would probably lift the rear end off the ground.

Many times while digging with the FEL, I've lifted the rear off the ground a bit before easing off (particularly when catching a rock). I assume the tractor is properly designed to handle such a situation without overstressing it.

Of course, proper design more likely comes with a quality tractor than with something super cheap.

Ken

 

[CurlyDave]

A backhoe is particularly good as ballast, since you can extend the hoe to the rear to increase the distance of the center of mass behind the rear wheels, and you can swing it to the uphill side on a side hill situation.

Throttle the engine way down and don't be jerky in trying either of these. Especially the sidehill swing.

I have tipped over to the front while going downhill with a heavy weight and it is not even a very exciting thing with the bucket carried low.

 

[newdeal]

Yeah I guess carrying the bucket low is key to trying to avoid turning a scary situation into a deadly situation

 

[Reg]

Well the balancing load is behind the rear axle. If you take a toy car (I just happen to have one on my desk and push down on it's rear bumper behind the rear axle the front wheels come up into the air. The weight is lifted off the front axle. Same principle with the three point hitch weight I believe.

That experiment is not in the range of interest.
IOW You won't get enough weight far enough back on a tractor to get the front wheels significantly unloaded when the FEL is at/near to overload.

Enjoy your day with your toy car on your (toy ?) desk.

 

[TripleR]

Well the balancing load is behind the rear axle. If you take a toy car (I just happen to have one on my desk and push down on it's rear bumper behind the rear axle the front wheels come up into the air. The weight is lifted off the front axle. Same principle with the three point hitch weight I believe.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is." - Yogi Berra

 

[Rockyridge]

It is also my understanding that you need to keep in mind that a tractor is more stable going up and across a hill than going down and across a hill.

Going up and across a hill the lower back wheels with more of the weight on them will keep you from tipping better than the lower front wheel when going down and across a hill because the front axle, with the more of the weight on it, can pivot. Because the front axle pivots it does not provide horizontal stability until it reaches the maximum pivot point and by then it may be too late.