BACKHOE VS BALLAST BOX

[Brimfield]

I have the backhoe already, got it when I got the tractor. The ballast box was given to me, so I debate selling it or getting the 3 pt hook up to use it. I have the snow blower still on but with the large maple round the rear tire was slipping on the dirt road. I need to drop the snow blower and I guess I'll put the backhoe on for now.

 

[ruffdog]

If you think you will have the NEED for the backhoe, put that on. If you think there is a good chance you wont use it in a years time, use the ballast box.

 

[bearlindsay]

With a backhoe you can pick up more back ballast and really overload your machine! Plus moving it side to side helps to even out your loads.

 

[LD1]

For that machine....if you go with a ballast box in close.....you need to aim for 1000 pounds if you want full capability of the loader.

 

[ericm979]

I have the backhoe already, got it when I got the tractor. The ballast box was given to me, so I debate selling it or getting the 3 pt hook up to use it. I have the snow blower still on but with the large maple round the rear tire was slipping on the dirt road.

that's what 4wd and/or diff lock are for.

Ballast box would be my vote. The backhoe is large and bulky. Mine limits the rear departure angle (or approach angle when in reverse) quite a bit. Most of my land is pretty steep. When I'm using my grapple I put the box blade on. I have a ballast box but I haven't gotten around to filling it with concrete. It will weigh more than the box blade and stick out less, making it better for tight spaces.

Doesn't the snow blower require the 3pt linkage on the tractor already? What would you need extra for the ballast box?

 

[ctgoldwing]

When I had my L3400 I had a backhoe on it. I live in a heavily wooded area. Although the backhoe was really great when I needed it, more often than not it was a hindrance when moving around the trees. Where it shined, as a previous poster noted, was on a slope where I wasn't real comfy. Swinging the bucket uphill brought, in my mind at least, more stability. The last couple of years I owned that tractor the hoe stayed in the garage, unused.
When I replaced my tractor with the L3800 I didn't even consider a backhoe. If I don't have an implement on the back I use a ballast box - just like the one DL Meisen uses:

 

[Diggin It]

A backhoe is a good source of ballast weight (I use mine for that), but a ballast box allows for better maneuvering in tight spaces.

In my experience with a backhoe ballast:
The backhoe has a lot of weight up high which can cause big, uncomfortable weight transfers in undulating terrain.
They’re also very long so they swing wide when turning. That’s annoying in the bush.

The backhoe will raise the center of gravity and reduce the ground clearance.

I use to have a box series with a backhoe and found it to be cumbersome and a little too heavy.

If space is an issue, ditch the backhoe for ballast.

The backhoe has the big disadvantage of being in the way but it would take a very heavy ballast box to reach the same effect. The backhoe is already heavy to start with and the farther the weight hangs behind the rear axel the more effect it has.

The backhoe is large and bulky. Mine limits the rear departure angle (or approach angle when in reverse) quite a bit. Most of my land is pretty steep. When I'm using my grapple I put the box blade on.

When I had my L3400 I had a backhoe on it. I live in a heavily wooded area. Although the backhoe was really great when I needed it, more often than not it was a hindrance when moving around the trees.

What they said. A BH behind you can easily get in the way and throw your balance off if you're not careful. Climbing any kind of steep slope requires much more presence of mind with a giant Preying Mantis behind you.

A box blade or backhoe or some other implement at least has other uses.

Tiller or mower works for me.

If you think you will have the NEED for the backhoe, put that on. If you think there is a good chance you wont use it in a years time, use the ballast box.

My BH can be on or off in minutes. I've done it more than once in a single day. I realize not all are like that though.

 

[WranglerX]

Don't have need for back hoe that is why my ballast box was made QH compatible so it fits my QH like my other implements...

 

[PuffyC]

Probably depends on how much room you have to work with. I already have a reputation for hitting stuff with just a ballast box, I can’t imagine trying to get around wooded areas with a bh hanging off the rear end.

 

[fried1765]

Probably depends on how much room you have to work with. I already have a reputation for hitting stuff with just a ballast box, I can’t imagine trying to get around wooded areas with a bh hanging off the rear end.

A lot depends on where you need to operate, and what the task is.