JD4300 with 430 ballasting question.

[Jesustx]

I have a JD4300 with a 430 front loader and I would like to know if I could substitute the fluid filled tires ballast with more weight one the 3p hitch. I am currently in the middle of fabricating a 3p hitch receiver to carry those ammo cans filled with lead.
As per the manual, it requires a 3p ballast of 600kg and fluid filled rear tires. It also has an option of 550kg 3p, fluid filled tires and weights on the rims.

Thanks in advance

 

[pmsmechanic]

I find most owners on TBN over ballast their tractors. I did it myself for a while and then got tired of not being able to use my fel properly. I now have a weight bracket that weighs about 600 lbs (previously 1000 lbs.) and that is lots. I only install it on the tractor when I anticipate lifting a heavier load. The rest of the time I have nothing for ballast and the fel and tractor operate so much nicer being lighter in weight.

 

[oosik]

I guess the correct answer - yes, you can add weight on the 3-point up to the amount its designed to carry.

I have 1550# of RimGuard in my rear tires and a 1000# rear blade on my Kubota M6040. For what I do with the tractor - this setup works great. I lift and move large rocks and chunks of pine tree trunk. I do drop the rear blade to use other 3-point implements. They are all in the 800# to 1000# category also.

My advantage - my 80 acres is very open. Even the pine stands are quite easy to navigate around and through.

 

[RjCorazza]

You can use 3 point ballast in place of fluid filled tires. I prefer both for loader work and general traction though. Filled rears help keep the tires planted, and 3 point ballast does the same, plus takes weight off the front axle (to some degree).

 

[zzvyb6]

A close friend has a 4400 with the 430 loader. She has loaded rears & still needs a lot of extra weight (as you state from specs). Currently uses a 6' rototiller PLUS 4 slabs of iron 1" thick x 20" x 20" on the tiller frame to hold the rear down. Largest load I've seen her raise is a JD 1520 carcass longitudinally (Engine, transmission, rear axle) with forks ! All I'm trying to say is that the machine can pick up quite a bit more than meets the eye. Front tires need a lot of extra air as well, if maxing out the loader is your goal.

 

[Jesustx]

I have the 41X14.00-20 tires and at 75% filled I need 64 gallons of calcium chloride (723lbs) for both tires as per the manual. How does that translate if I move it to the 3p hitch since it will be behind the rear tires.

 

[Jesustx]

I find most owners on TBN over ballast their tractors. I did it myself for a while and then got tired of not being able to use my fel properly. I now have a weight bracket that weighs about 600 lbs (previously 1000 lbs.) and that is lots. I only install it on the tractor when I anticipate lifting a heavier load. The rest of the time I have nothing for ballast and the fel and tractor operate so much nicer being lighter in weight.

I do expect to lift heavy loads. How does affect your FEL when you go up on weight? This is the reason i poured the lead into ammo cans so i can remove and add weight as needed.

 

[Jesustx]

I guess the correct answer - yes, you can add weight on the 3-point up to the amount its designed to carry.

I have 1550# of RimGuard in my rear tires and a 1000# rear blade on my Kubota M6040. For what I do with the tractor - this setup works great. I lift and move large rocks and chunks of pine tree trunk. I do drop the rear blade to use other 3-point implements. They are all in the 800# to 1000# category also.

My advantage - my 80 acres is very open. Even the pine stands are quite easy to navigate around and through.

I only have an acre of land, I live within the city limits and thats why i want to make my ballast as small as possible.

 

[WranglerX]

I run close to 600 pounds on my MF GC 1715 (SCUT)..... its just a steel box (2X2X1 FT) filled with concrete.... Wheels are so small ballasting them is pretty much useless for the weight..... And Yes at times my ballast box seems a little big, something I think it could be dropped in half and still be effective BUT I really don't fear ballast box causing me to tip over backwards....
Little green machine weights in at 520 pounds according to manufacture...

 

[zzvyb6]

Just a moment. That's all it is. The sum of the weight(s) behind the front axle times the distances those weights are behind the front axle needs to be larger than the weights ahead of the front axle times the distances those weights are ahead of the front axle. In a simplified case, the bucket or fork load has to be counter-balanced by tire and auxilliary weights. If the loader geometry times the lift cylinder's capacity exceeds the rear load, it will pitch forward. Also, same rear load further back from the 3pt hitch also is a mechanism to accomplish this balance. Don't forget to have some extra rear moment because having the tires firmly on the ground is necessary if you plant to do more than play teeter-totter with your rig.