3 pt custom ballast block thingy

[teach]

I admit it. I have cusomization envy. BUT, today I started to do something about it. After looking at several pictures of ballast/weight boxes that some of you posted I decided to try my hand at one too. I never needed one until I recently bought my B7100 with a loader. I started by building a wooden box, filling it with about 2 1/2 bags (80 lbs each) of redi-mix cement with some steel plates added to the mix. Then I made 3 brackets out of rebar to connect the cement block to the 3 pt receiver hitch. I heated them in a portable forge and shaping them on an anvil. Finally, I added some 2 1/2" pipe for tool holders, a piece of 4" pipe to hold a 12' chain, and 2 eye bolts in the corners. Final weight is somewhere around 225-250 lbs. I'll post the final pics in a few days when it cures and I can remove the wood box.
Teach

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Looks very useful. You may not want to remove the wood box though. It's useful for screwing things to.

Cliff

 

[3RRL]

That'll be as good as any ballast box I've seen.
I like the tool holders and eye bolts molded in like that.
Be sure they have drain holes in the bottom though.

 

[BTDT]

A little late now, but you could have molded a place in the back to set a toolbox into, but yours looks good. I'm sure now we'll be seeing a variety of styles on this by different posters, and that's a good thing. Now that I think about it, some pipe in the bottom for casters for when you leave it in garage, you can roll it out of the way.

 

[teach]

Btdt,
My box was actually a variation of several other boxes I saw posted, I just worked with what I had and within my skill level. The whole deal only cost me about $30.00 because I already had the 3 pt. receiver hitch. I thought about jazzing it up some more with a chain saw holder on the back and/or a tool box, but it started getting complicated and I didn't want to over-do-it and have it not work out right. I heated and pinched the two pieces of 2 1/2" PVC and ran those all the way down through the bottom so they can drain and the 4" inch piece for the chain I plan on capping. As far as the casters on the bottom, great idea, but it will be stored outside. No garage for at least two more years, the Mrs. gets her kitchen this year instead!
Teach

 

[Deerlope]

Nice looking idea. I made up a draw bar for the 3ph and ran a flat piece of steel out thru the back of the form box. So everything is poured in the concrete. So now with it on I still have a stationary drawbar in the rear.

 

[Timber]

a Vice

 

[teach]

Well, it works! I took my ballast-hitch out of the shop today and hooked it up. Thanks to all of the other guys who posted previous pictures that I used for my design.
Teach

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Looks like it worked out very well. It's nice and low to the ground too, for better stability.

Interesting little sculpture on the stair on the last photo.

Cliff

 

[teach]

Cliff,
That "sculpture" is actually flat steel and was a wedding gift from one of my wife's friends in New Mexico. Usually my wife dresses the two of them up according to the holiday or season at hand. It usually draws quite a few comments from new guests!
Teach