Ballast box--how big?

Tarnold · Mar 23, 2014

Hooked up the new grapple to the LS 3038H, and got scared real quick. 60" grapple at 650 lbs was probably to big, tried to lift a wet log 8'x22" and rear end went up like a rocket. Loaded tires and a box blade on the rear. Knew the load was heavy but wanted to see what it could do. So found a concrete calculator and want to build a weight box, but how much weight do I need? Rear lift rated 1433 lbs. FEL rated 2088 lbs. I don't want to max anything, so what percent of capacity should I shoot for in ballast weight?

joshuabardwell · Mar 23, 2014

As long as you stay under your tractor's lift capacity, I doubt you will complain having too much weight on the rear, especially given you appear to be going all-out with your loader. I don't have the same tractor as you, but for what it's worth, my user manual specifies 880 lbs ballast on the rear for full loader capacity. Given your rear is rated for 1433 lbs, I would shoot for something like 1000-1200 lbs. Don't forget to account for the weight of the box itself, which can easily be a few hundred pounds if you build it out of steel.

Tarnold · Mar 23, 2014

Was thinking of making a plywood form, and casting concrete. Per the concrete calculator, 24" x24"x24" should be 1064 lbs. Thinking that might be a bit much, but I can play with the dimensions. was thinking maybe 75-80% of capacity?

RG1 · Mar 23, 2014

Your 3 pt has a lift capacity of 1808 at the ball ends according to LS's specs, and since that is where the ballast will actually hang (especially if you cast cement inside a drum of some sort like those blue plastic barrels) as opposed to 24" aft which is where you got your number from, you can easily and safely use at least 1400 lbs on the rear without straining anything. The 24" aft number is to give a good idea of what kind of weight can be lifted that is to the rear of the ball ends that far like a large box blade, bush hog etc. The more ballast the better for your tractor's performance overall, but especially the front end/axle.

juddspaintballs · Mar 23, 2014

I have a nice metal 55 gallon drum. I was thinking about welding on 3 pt hookups to that with a "frame" extending into the drum and then filling the whole thing with concrete. Would that make a good ballast weight for my tractor?

RG1 · Mar 23, 2014

I have seen a ton of them like that.

An easy way to make one is to buy a cat one drawbar at TSC and cut holes through the side of drum where you want it to be, slide it into each hole from inside the drum, then pour the cement in around it. Then, slide two pieces of angle iron facing away from each other down into the wet cement to form the top link mounting point. When it all sets up good, just drill or burn the hole for the top link pin through the angle iron(s).

MESSMAKER · Mar 24, 2014

RG1 said:
I have seen a ton of them like that.

An easy way to make one is to buy a cat one drawbar at TSC and cut holes through the side of drum where you want it to be, slide it into each hole from inside the drum, then pour the cement in around it. Then, slide two pieces of angle iron facing away from each other down into the wet cement to form the top link mounting point. When it all sets up good, just drill or burn the hole for the top link pin through the angle iron(s).

The only change I have is to drill the top link holes first. Much easier on a drill press when going through 1/4 or 3/16" steel. Leave about 8" unfilled in the drum and you have a great place for a chain or two. Will need a couple of weep holes so it does not collect water.

Gary Fowler · Mar 24, 2014

If you are looking for more than 1000 pounds, using a 55 gallon drum wont get you there @ 1000 to 1100 pound depending on your concrete density when completely full. I think you need more like 1500 # for full effect of the FEL.

GManBart · Mar 24, 2014

Tarnold said:
Was thinking of making a plywood form, and casting concrete. Per the concrete calculator, 24" x24"x24" should be 1064 lbs. Thinking that might be a bit much, but I can play with the dimensions. was thinking maybe 75-80% of capacity?

I don't think 1k is too much...a little extra won't overly stress the 3pt, and will definitely save your front axles some wear and tear. It will also let you max the loader safely, which is the most important factor.

Thus is a good example for others....loaded tires, and a box blade really isn't the right combo for FEL work....the loaded tires do very little compared to weight on the 3pt.

juddspaintballs · Mar 24, 2014

What would you recommend to do to get over 1k in a compact package then? My rear tires are filled and that adds a little over 1000 lbs according to BioBallast's website. I figured another 1k hanging off of the 3 pt should get my rear end planted pretty firmly, but if there's a better ballast option, I'm open to suggestions.