Am I being a noob about ballast boxes...

[RoyJackson]

How about a $2500. chipper? Is that a really bad choice too? :confused2:
For me, putting an attachment on the back that doesn't do anything is a bad choice..

The ballast box does do something...it provides the maximum ballast (weight) in the most compact form. I'd guess my 600 lb (plus) ballast box is quite a bit heavier then your chipper...and no blower chute to watch out for...

 

[jake98]

The ballast box does do something...it provides the maximum ballast (weight) in the most compact form. I'd guess my 600 lb (plus) ballast box is quite a bit heavier then your chipper...and no blower chute to watch out for...

I hear ya there Roy, I just can't wait to back the chipper into a stump. I think it weighs about 500#. (405)

 

[Gio]

How about a Heavy Hitch? They seem to be good supporters of this site and looks like a good product.

 

[RoyJackson]

I hear ya there Roy, I just can't wait to back the chipper into a stump. I think it weighs about 500#. (405)

I've got a chipper too, so no criticism intended. Great implement!! But just not what I'd want to use for ballast. Mine (a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder with no chute) weighs in the neighborhood (neighbourhood for our Canadian friends) of 450 lbs.

How about a Heavy Hitch? They seem to be good supporters of this site and looks like a good product.

That would work too. Suitcase weights aren't as cheap as sand, concrete and other ballast. But if you have some suitcase weights available, the Heavy Hitch (www.heavyhitch.com) would be a viable alternative. Looks like their market is primarily lawn tractors and SCUTs though.

 

[jake98]

How about a Heavy Hitch? They seem to be good supporters of this site and looks like a good product.

I cut my carry-all off about half way and welded the pieces back on sideways with a receiver in between. Trailer movers are handy, and I could still have some of the space for carrying. (or weight) But I found that I didn't use it as the box blade was usually on back. Now I welded a receiver on that.
I guess the chipper's gonna get a receiver as soon as it's not brand new anymore.

 

[beenthere]

............

That struck me as an odd response, and faintly condescending. I wanted to check with you experienced folks about whether or not a ballast box really is "useless." I had the impression that BB's would work nicely in tight confines such as in wooded areas and near buildings and fences, but maybe I just don't know anything?

I have a ballast box, and don't have a need for a box blade. Much rather have the neat, concise ballast box behind me than a wide cumbersome box blade. Just a preference thing, that you can decide which you would like best.
You don't have to conform to anyone else's likes or dislikes about what is useless or useful.

Whatever you get, fix it so it is easy to get on and off, as that will better assure yourself that ballast is there when you need it. Mine picks up easily with the quick hitch (iMatch for me) and is easy to drop off when not needed. But most of the time, the ballast box stays with the tractor.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

My dealer's mechanic recommended to me to buy one of those $30 bars at TSC, and pour some concrete around it and save money. It's a small tractor and I have only used it once or twice for a little light snow moving with no implement on the 3pt. The back blade is heavy enough for any snow moving in the winter, and mower deck is plenty heavy for the rest of the year. The box blade idea makes sense unless you really are working in very tight quarters.

Before I had the back blade I used a bar with three cement blocks, but of course, this was only for very light stuff..

 

[jake98]

I guess if you're only doing work with the loader, the ballast box makes sense. I just have a hard time picturing when that would be..

 

[gwdixon]

There as so many good ideas for making a ballast here on TBN that something must work.

I like the 3/4" pipe through a 40 or 55 gal. drum. Fill it with whatever - sand, concrete, even water. Easy on, easy off. But some welding required where the pipe goes through (reinforcement) and something for the top link.

Just use what you have available. Here are some others:

 

[jake98]

I'm not sure that second pic is just for ballast, he's got top-n-tilt on there..

 

[Perplexed]

There as so many good ideas for making a ballast here on TBN that something must work.

I like the 3/4" pipe through a 40 or 55 gal. drum. Fill it with whatever - sand, concrete, even water. Easy on, easy off. But some welding required where the pipe goes through (reinforcement) and something for the top link.

Just use what you have available. Here are some others:

I've seen some great ideas for home-made ballast boxes on here, but since I have zero welding experience or equipment, and pretty much nothing solid, compact, and weighty (i.e., 800 lbs) that can be hung with chains off the back, a factory ballast box seems to be the best idea at this point

Again, a lot of my FEL work is or will be in tight spaces, so compactness is highly desirable - hence the ballast box and not just any convenient implement

 

[aczlan]

I've seen some great ideas for home-made ballast boxes on here, but since I have zero welding experience or equipment, and pretty much nothing solid, compact, and weighty (i.e., 800 lbs) that can be hung with chains off the back, a factory ballast box seems to be the best idea at this point
Again, a lot of my FEL work is or will be in tight spaces, so compactness is highly desirable - hence the ballast box and not just any convenient implement

A plastic barrel, a drawbar with a few bolts through it, a piece of 3/16ths flat stock bent unto a long U shape and some cement would get you as much ballast as you need with nothing more needed than drilling 2 holes in the flat stock and cutting 2 holes in the barrel.

Aaron Z

 

[Perplexed]

A plastic barrel, a drawbar with a few bolts through it, a piece of 3/16ths flat stock bent unto a long U shape and some cement would get you as much ballast as you need with nothing more needed than drilling 2 holes in the flat stock and cutting 2 holes in the barrel.

Aaron Z

Now that would work! Has that been posted on here with pics, and if so, would you happen to have the link?

ETA: Never mind, I found some pics through a forum search.

 

[beenthere]

Check around for a local blacksmith or welding shop and talk to them about a box (or anything you need fabricated).

Also, can pick up old 3 ph frames that could be boxed in for some concrete pour without much need for additional fabrication.

Where in NE OK are you located? Try a 'wanted' on craigslist if not in a real rush. Also a search on CL may pop up something.

What tractor is this for?

 

[TrenaryDucks]

Here is what I use for ballast after the snow season: a TSC Carry All and two barrels of water.

 

[Perplexed]

Check around for a local blacksmith or welding shop and talk to them about a box (or anything you need fabricated).

Also, can pick up old 3 ph frames that could be boxed in for some concrete pour without much need for additional fabrication.

Where in NE OK are you located? Try a 'wanted' on craigslist if not in a real rush. Also a search on CL may pop up something.

What tractor is this for?

Good suggestion - there's a big votech school near my house, maybe I can talk with their welding shop about the box. Thanks also for the comment re: the old PH frames. Lots of good ideas turning up here :thumbsup:

I'm near Tulsa, and this is for a CCY SX3100.

 

[Perplexed]

Here is what I use for ballast after the snow season: a TSC Carry All and two barrels of water.

So that's what a carry-all looks like. I don't see in your pic how you secure the barrels to that? Don't you worry about them being jostled off?

 

[jake98]

So that's what a carry-all looks like. I don't see in your pic how you secure the barrels to that? Don't you worry about them being jostled off?

NOW you're being a noob! :laughing:

 

[TrenaryDucks]

So that's what a carry-all looks like. I don't see in your pic how you secure the barrels to that? Don't you worry about them being jostled off?

Erickson 1 in. x 13 ft. Cam Lash Strap - 3013426 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[Perplexed]

NOW you're being a noob! :laughing:

About what, the carry-all or how the barrels are secured?