Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast!

[Tony H]

View attachment 556757

that's nice ballast it may not squeak or knock around but I wonder if it's still too noisy to have behind you

 

[cat fever]

Nice. How did you keep the chainsaw sheath from compressing with the concrete?

If you were referring to mine, I used a piece of plywood. Lube it up, I had a hard time getting it out.:2cents:

I generally park the tractor in the same spot and have a wood block to rest the ballast on.

 

[Tony H]

If you were referring to mine, I used a piece of plywood. Lube it up, I had a hard time getting it out.:2cents:

I generally park the tractor in the same spot and have a wood block to rest the ballast on.

Yes, I was referring to your post and Pics. Unfortunately the Tablet I was on would not let me 'Reply With Quote' Really nice job in it's simplicity and functionality.
Having the block designed so the Hydraulics are at rest sounds great to me. It would have been a bit difficult to do but maybe some box Tubing at each corner and smaller box to slide up and down as Feet would have been nice. As you say, you have a home for it and there is a block of wood waiting for you so you are in good shape.

 

[WranglerX]

Yes, I was referring to your post and Pics. Unfortunately the Tablet I was on would not let me 'Reply With Quote' Really nice job in it's simplicity and functionality.
Having the block designed so the Hydraulics are at rest sounds great to me. It would have been a bit difficult to do but maybe some box Tubing at each corner and smaller box to slide up and down as Feet would have been nice. As you say, you have a home for it and there is a block of wood waiting for you so you are in good shape.

Need different browser software for tablet....

Dale

 

[thekkfan]

60 gallon pickle barrel, 10-1/2 80lb bags of quikcrete (est total ~950lbs). The top and lowers are interconnected, of course. Room for a couple tools with lid off or log chain under the lid.

 

[metalbender]

Posted this when I built it, pics never get old though. Compact size, about 600 lbs. Carries low for good cg.

 

[Gofast]

Posted this when I built it, pics never get old though. Compact size, about 600 lbs. Carries low for good cg. View attachment 605823View attachment 605824

I really like this one but I cant build it I don't have any lead.
It would be perfect for my subcompact tractor.

 

[Tony H]

Need different browser software for tablet....

Dale

Yeah, Tablet is like 15 years old... its an ACER. I use it generally for watching the weather radar and other silly stuff.

 

[Big Barn]

that's nice ballast it may not squeak or knock around but I wonder if it's still too noisy to have behind you

I agree. PPE a must.

 

[SmallChange]

Daydreaming about the World's Best Ballast, I wonder if having the mass sprung would be good. It'd be better at keeping the wheels glued to the ground if there are bumps or shocks. And, there wouldn't be extreme pressure excursions for the hydraulics on bumps. You'd want a shock absorber in there, too, so it's not constantly bouncing. I'm picturing the way the tires on a big luxury car with a mushy ride have a hard time getting any air.

 

[Sodo]

Here's mine, I built it way back in 2015 (build thread), still going strong.
I use it all the time.

Easy to empty the barrel (dump the water) then it's all carry-able items.
Plastic barrel is lightweight & tough.
I fill it **full to the top** haven't noticed any problem with water sloshing.
There is some left/right slop in the 3-point hitch though.
And still using a ratchet strap. No improvement there yet (in 4 years).

Incidentally, 400 lbs mounted like this seems to be exactly the right weight for my tractor B2710, 30HP (I think 2600 lbs?).
It keeps the rear wheels on the ground, but with a really-really full bucket I can tell there's not a whole lot more capacity.
So anyway it seems to be loading the tractor just right for my usage (full bucket).

It's lightweight, easy to move around.
YOu can see how light the framework is, .062 thick rectangular steel (1x2s) and then 1/8" angle on the bottom.
I've backed it into trees & banks, lots of times, haven't bent it at all (30 HP tractor).
Tested 4 years, used almost 100% of the time.

I expected that a cross-tie would be needed across the bottom, but it hasn't spread (yet?).
Easy to add one if ever necessary.

 

[stevewarner1957]

I’ve posted my take on this issue at other places so you might have seen it before. I made mine out of a 1938 Westinghouse welder housing. The copper was all scrapped but the armature and field coils were put back inside and other scrap to add weight. I installed a hitch receiver and heavy D rings along with a skidder hook. It’s very heavy and works well on my L3830. I don’t think I can tear it up by backing into something.

 

[eubie5]

Here's mine. Still have a little work to do to it to clean it up how i want it. About 9.5 60lb bags of quickcrete, and this make a **** of a difference on my bx.
The chainsaw holder turned out better than i thought. Just wished i lined it up even with the toplink.
Now, just clean it up, a little orange paint, and we're ready to go.

 

[Big Barn]

Here's mine. Still have a little work to do to it to clean it up how i want it. About 9.5 60lb bags of quickcrete, and this make a **** of a difference on my bx.
The chainsaw holder turned out better than i thought. Just wished i lined it up even with the toplink.
Now, just clean it up, a little orange paint, and we're ready to go. View attachment 606487View attachment 606488View attachment 606489View attachment 606490View attachment 606491View attachment 606492View attachment 606493View attachment 606494View attachment 606495View attachment 606497

Actually I like the chainsaw holder offset like that. Probably more user friendly also.

 

[Sodo]

He drives his BX thru the bushes and wants to pull the saw out all banzai from the driver seat.:thumbsup:

A problem I can see is over time dirt can build up in the bottom and might pre-dirt your chain each time.
Or if there was water in the bottom, it could rust the saw.
Or ice could glue it in.

It's feasible to drill a 1" hole into the tip of the scabbard from the side of the barrel.


-------- edit---------

View attachment 606488

oops looks like the scabbard may have a drain?

 

[eubie5]

He drives his BX thru the bushes and wants to pull the saw out all banzai from the driver seat.

A problem I can see is over time dirt can build up in the bottom and might pre-dirt your chain each time.
Or if there was water in the bottom, it could rust the saw.
Or ice could glue it in.

It's feasible to drill a 1" hole into the tip of the scabbard from the side of the barrel.


-------- edit---------

View attachment 606488

oops looks like the scabbard may have a drain?

Yea, the scabbard goes into a 2ft piece of pvc that i already had that i baked and molded. The pvc goes all the way through the bottom of the barrel. Scabbard has some holes drilled in the bottom so it will drain.

Now, i guess I'll have to practice my quick draw time

 

[eubie5]

I'll probably cut some wood, or figure something out, that i can plug the scabbard while I'm not carrying chainsaw. I won't keep it in there at all times.

 

[eubie5]

Finally painted it.
Was raining today and i was bored

 

[stevewarner1957]

Good job. Looks nice

 

[MF RED in MT]

Here's a link to the weight box I build almost a decade ago.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/190530-made-3-point-weight-box.html?highlight=

And here are a few pictures, it's one of the most useful builds I have made.

KC