Ballast weight - how high can I go?

[Fastball]

Hi all....am fabbing up a ballast box for my L2900. Am wondering if thereç—´ any kind of general rule-of-thumb regarding weight. My L2900 is listed at 2700lbs. The lift arms are rated for 2800lbs at the pins and 2200 at 24 inches behind.
Is a ballast of roughly 25 or 35-odd percent of tractor weight about right? I知 debating about pouring cement and steel bits and bobs into either a 26 gal trash can or a 55-gal steel drum. Or a wooden box.
Any recommendation would be helpful.

 

[brown40]

There should be recommendations in the manual.

Lift arm/hydraulic capacity tells you the mechanical limit for lifting. Front and especially rear axle ratings and unballasted weight ratio F->R is the more pertinent section.

Ballasting using a box is counterweighting the FEL using the rear axle as the lever--shifting the load from the front to the rear axle proactively, so when the FEL is full, the rear axle is still planted.

You want more hanging back from the rear axle, than a loaded bucket can lever up using the front axle.

Weight of FEL in front of axle + maximum bucket loaded < rear ballast.

 

[jeff9366]

Use 2/3 of FEL lift capacity and you will be about right.

If you create too much counterbalance weight the front wheel portion of 4-WD will be impaired.

If you operate on hills you will have to reverse up slopes.


What do you expect to achieve with "how high can I go?"

 

[LD1]

The weight in close like a ballast box is less effective than weight hanging farther back in the form of an implement.

Only reason to choose a "box" that keeps the weight in tight is for mobility in tight areas.

That said, with many hours of experience on an ever-so-slightly smaller L3400......1200# would be a good match to your machine and loader if in the form of a compact box/barrel.

And ironically.....a 55gal drum filled clear full of concrete is right at 1200#. Just have to figure out your attachment points

 

[Fastball]

Use 2/3 of FEL lift capacity and you will be about right.

If you create too much counterbalance weight the front wheel portion of 4-WD will be impaired.

If you operate on hills you will have to reverse up slopes.


What do you expect to achieve with "how high can I go?"

FEL capacity is 480kg, or just a tick over 1000lbs. So 600-odd pounds should do the trick, then?
A full 55gal drum is almost double that weight, so I will only fill it halfway...or use a smaller barrel or trash can.

 

[Fastball]

The weight in close like a ballast box is less effective than weight hanging farther back in the form of an implement.

Only reason to choose a "box" that keeps the weight in tight is for mobility in tight areas.

That said, with many hours of experience on an ever-so-slightly smaller L3400......1200# would be a good match to your machine and loader if in the form of a compact box/barrel.

And ironically.....a 55gal drum filled clear full of concrete is right at 1200#. Just have to figure out your attachment points

Will probably pick up a quick hitch. That way, any weight should hang a foot back of the pins, which should be optimal.
L2900 should be snaller than the L3400, no? So maybe not the full 1200#?

 

[LD1]

Will probably pick up a quick hitch. That way, any weight should hang a foot back of the pins, which should be optimal.
L2900 should be snaller than the L3400, no? So maybe not the full 1200#?

No, the L2900 has a slightly stronger loader, is a tad heavier, and alot stronger 3PH.

I used a barrel on my L3400, filled to the 50gal mark and was 1000#.

600#, in close in the form of a barrel (even on a QH).....you loader is still strong enough to lift your rear tires. My 700# rear blade, hanging ~3' back was "just" enough.

Your loader will actually lift closer to a ton at ground level

 

[jeff9366]

650 pounds to 700 pounds. ( I presume 480 Kg lift is for a new tractor. You are likely 430 Kg to 455 Kg lift today.)

I would start with moist sand, if your box will attach to the Three Point Hitch. Sand will allow you to determine optimum ballast weight easily and cheaply for your exact conditions. Then finalize with concrete if desired.

Consider a Titan Ballast Box too. $259 including shipping is a cheap price for 1/4" steel construction. Titan's capacity of 800 pounds max seems ideal for your need. You have resale value in a commercial ballast box, absent in home built.

Titan ballast box | eBay

Are your rear tires filled with liquid or filled with air?

 

[Fastball]

650 pounds to 700 pounds. ( I presume 480 Kg lift is for a new tractor. You are likely 430 Kg to 455 Kg lift today.)

I would start with moist sand, if your box will attach to the Three Point Hitch. That will allow you to determine optimum ballast weight easily and cheaply. Then finalize with concrete if desired.

Consider a Titan Ballast Box too. $259 including shipping is a cheap price for 1/4" steel construction. You have resale value in a commercial ballast box, absent in home built.

Titan ballast box | eBay

Are your rear tires filled with liquid or filled with air?

Hahaha...Titan. You silly bunny. Nobody in the US ships to Canada. I live on Craigslist, Kijiji, Amazon and Ebay. I was a research librarian for years, so I know my way around the interweb. I宋e been to 3 tractor dealerships, asking to acquire a ballast box or a 3pt carry all...and have struck out every single time. There was one place in Alberta that had a carry all, but it was only rated for 500 pounds - and when I asked for a shipping rate to BC, he went silent. Nope, all your great deals and free shipping stop at the border.
Anyways...to your question. Rear tires are loaded.

 

[mike69440]

Just weld up the tiny crappy welds on the Carry All and it is good for over 1000 Lbs. I Know.