Ballast 2x2x2 concrete weight box

[Jeff Lary]

Hi all quick question. I have a Kubota L2950 that I wanted a weight box for so...
I have built a real nice box that measures 2'x2'x2' that I am planning of filling with Quick Crete in a couple weeks. The box will hold 8 cu ft. Concrete weighs in at 145# per cu ft so 8cf x 145# ( and when you add the water to the mix) this comes to 1264 #. Man that sounds heavy what do you guys think? Thanks for your thoughts Jeff

 

[Deere Dude]

That is dang heavy. I would only get it to weigh what the owners manual says and my off the cuff guess would be around 700#.

I have a 45 HP JD 3720 with the factory weight box with a little extension on to get more concrete and it weighs around 750-800 and that is plenty, at least for mine. I did make a real nice weight box previously and loaded it up with rocks and concrete. I took it to the scale and it weighed in at 1500. I used it for awhile doing some loader work but I gave it to my neighbor.

I would only fill it to the point you feel comfortable with from the information in an owners manual.

 

[Jeff Lary]

Yea I am thinking the same thing. Thanks for the response , Jeff

 

[sdef]

Lots of different experiences with weight boxes on TBN. My factory suggested weight is ~ 850# if I recall correctly for my 2785# FEL lift capacity. I have a ROBB that weighs 710# and extends 26" from the rear pins and it is not near enough weight for maximum FEL carrying capacity. A friend has a TYM 394 (similar tractor capacities to yours I think) with 550# weight box and it is not enough. I think 750 - 800 would be his sweet spot, along with yours.

I recently built a weight box assembly using a 15 cu' job site box with the intention of starting with a weight capacity of ~ 1250# and having room to add more weight to the box if necessary. My box weighs 1240# measured and is barely adequate for the heavy maximum FEL weights I need to carry occasionally. Having extra room to add more weight to the box occasionally to protect the front axle is helpful I think.

 

[LD1]

My old L3400 weighed in about 100# lighter than your L2950. and my rear lift was 2000# at the ends and 1500 @ 24" back as opposed to your 2600/1900 pound ratings.

On that tractor I carried around a 1100# 6' bushhog for weight. When I needed to be more maneuverable, I had a 1000# concrete weight. (55 gallon barrel filled to the ~50 gallon park with concrete. ~6.7 cu ft.

So my question is, what are your loader specs? I think the L3400 loader was ~1100# to max height at the pins. I am thinking your loader is probably a bit more. If it is, I think 1200# is about right and well within the lift capacity of the tractor. However since the tractor weight and frame is real similar, if you loader isnt any stronger, you can probably get by with the same 1000# that I get by with.

 

[KennyG]

Fill it part way with concrete and use the rest of the space for carrying things. In the rare event you need more weight, stack solid concrete blocks in the box. (Incorporate a drain tube also).

 

[bdhsfz6]

1250+ # may be overkill for your tractor/ loader if your rear tires are loaded. I use around 800# on my MX5800 with beet juice in the tires. You're sure to get a lot of differing opinions here.

 

[LD1]

1250+ # may be overkill for your tractor/ loader if your rear tires are loaded. I use around 800# on my MX5800 with beet juice in the tires. You're sure to get a lot of differing opinions here.

While 800# + the beat juice may keep your tires on the ground, you aint doing your front axle any favors if you are using the FEL hard.

I have basically the same tractor with a little lighter windshield washer fluid in the tires. IF Im gonna use my loader hard, I like my 1600# woods mower back there that hangs pretty far back.

We never hear of any one breaking rear axles from overloading them here on TBN. But there are several cases of front axle failures.

 

[FatTire]

While 800# + the beat juice may keep your tires on the ground, you aint doing your front axle any favors if you are using the FEL hard.

I have basically the same tractor with a little lighter windshield washer fluid in the tires. IF Im gonna use my loader hard, I like my 1600# woods mower back there that hangs pretty far back.

We never hear of any one breaking rear axles from overloading them here on TBN. But there are several cases of front axle failures.

Agreed. I have loaded rears and a ballast box that is about 750 lb and it obvious that it isn't enough when working on the upper end of the LA844 loader capacity. I install the backhoe for heavy FEL loads and that feels about right.

 

[Oldoak]

1250+ # may be overkill for your tractor/ loader if your rear tires are loaded. I use around 800# on my MX5800 with beet juice in the tires. You're sure to get a lot of differing opinions here.

Difference in opinions? Yep. Loaded rear tires will aid traction and stability but do nothing for taking any of the weight load off the front axles.

 

[teg]

My roughly 750# drum is marginal for me (with loaded tires) and I only have an LA463 loader.

View attachment 506502


Older photo, I've removed the tubes and topped it off with more concrete.
View attachment 506503

 

[Sysop]

I've always been told a good ballast weight for 3pt is 2/3rd of what the 3pt can lift. Your 3pt is rated at 1985lbs at 24" (the ends of the links). 2/3rd of that would be a bit over 1322lbs. I think your box will be fine.

 

[LD1]

I've always been told a good ballast weight for 3pt is 2/3rd of what the 3pt can lift. Your 3pt is rated at 1985lbs at 24" (the ends of the links). 2/3rd of that would be a bit over 1322lbs. I think your box will be fine.

Yep, thats a good rule of thumb. As it whatever the loader is rated to lift @ the cutting edge (500mm forward

My L3400 was rated at 860# at the pins. The 3PH was 1500...so 2/3 of that would be 1000#. Guess thats why my 1000# barrel a felt good. Yet 700# was on the edge of not enough.

My MX can lift 2300# @ 24" on the 3PH. The loader is good for 1800#. So 2/3 rule says 1533. The 1000# barrel, not enough. My 1600# bushhog (that has a load center ~30" back, so is more "effective" than weight in close) is perfect. IF I were going to build a compact weight for it, and keep the load in close, I'd be shooting for 1600-1700#

 

[jabelding]

Jeff I have a 1/2 barrel full that weighs in at around 550lbs and that seems just about right for my 35hp kioti I also have Rim guard loaded rear tires.

 

[cat fever]

I am currently building a ballast box, it should come in about 1500 pounds. I hope it is heavy enough.

I think you'll be just fine.

 

[Jeff Lary]

Well thanks for all the replies. I guess I should not expect any as I rarely get involved in many threads but you must know that I do appreciate all your input.

I found the owners manual and it says it can lift 2645# at the end of the arms and 1985# 24" inches back from the pin. I have been thinking for the last couple years that if I mess up when lifting logs I could damage the front end.

You see the only time when I will be using the box is when I saw up my firewood. I have a homemade jaw / clamp on the front bucket and I use it for many things. Mainly though for moving tree length hardwood or softwood wood saw logs. With the firewood I lift the entire tree up to a comfortable height and saw into 16" firewood then when I get close to the bucket I drop the log and re-set and lift it again and saw some more. This way I save my back and all my firewood that has to be split falls to the ground in the same place. Then I move In the splitter , split the pile load the trailer and haul it in with my Ranger. But when I lift a tree length Beach or Yellow Birch 50' long,...and 20" on the stump,... that is very heavy on the front end so I do not want to do that anymore without some rear weight.

The bottom of my box is a 2' x 2' galvanized steel plate 5/16 thick. Then I have 3-2.5 inch diameter pieces of galvanized pipe welded at an angle to the plate in the bottom w/ drain holes that are long enough to extend about an inch above the finished box. I will use these to carry a iron rake in one pipe a spade in another and a crow bar in the last pipe.

I have maybe 30# of misc steel in the box welded to different places to provide support and strength to the concrete. I will also be using a real category 1 draw bar as the lower attachment point for the lower arms and I fabbed up some channel iron for a top link connection. The box will extend 12" beyond the lift arm pins. So whatever I said it weighed in the first post it will weigh,..I can probably add 35 to 50 pounds to it I would guess in the steel inside the box. I think I will leave it as is and pour it full in the future. Jeff

 

[LD1]

Just how exact are your measurements also?

23" x 23" x 23" is 7 cu ft... 1015#
24" square is 1260#
25" square is 1405#.

So how exact is it when you said a 2' square box? Because as you can see, a little makes a big difference.

 

[moship]

Just how exact are your measurements also?

23" x 23" x 23" is 7 cu ft... 1015#
24" square is 1260#
25" square is 1405#.

So how exact is it when you said a 2' square box? Because as you can see, a little makes a big difference.

Valid argument that a relatively small size difference can make a big weight difference, but might want to check the math.

I'll assume you meant cube and not square. Example: "24" square is 1260#"

Using a density of 145 lbs/cuft

23 x 23 x 23 = 1021 lbs
24 x 24 x 24 = 1160 lbs
25 x 25 x 25 = 1311 lbs

It is somewhat surprising that 1" difference per side can be a result in cubic foot difference in these sizes.

23" cube = 7.041 cubic feet
24" cube = 8.000 cubic feet
25" cube = 9.042 cubic feet

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've always been told a good ballast weight for 3pt is 2/3rd of what the 3pt can lift. Your 3pt is rated at 1985lbs at 24" (the ends of the links). 2/3rd of that would be a bit over 1322lbs. I think your box will be fine.

My dealer agrees with this formula for tractors with unloaded rear tires. He recommends 1/2 the loader capacity with filled tires. Although the geometry is slightly different than 3pt ballast, the Rim Guard in the R4 tires on my MX5800 adds almost 1000# of rear weight.

 

[oosik]

I have 1450# of rimguard in the rear tires and a 1000# rear blade on the 3-point. Its always been enough for any heavy lifting with either my grapple or bucket.