Grading Advice on using back blade as ballast

[cart99]

I'm using a Woods 5' back blade as rear ballast (in addition to filled rear tires) for FEL work on my B3030. The problem I have is that even with the 3ph all the way up and the top link screwed as short as I can make it, the blade still gouges the ground when I approach a hill. I'm think I could solve this by buying a shorter top link. Any advice on where to get one, or possibly alternative suggestions?

I'd really like to have even more weight back there if possible. A full load of dirt in the front bucket still induces a high pucker factor, and I hate doing that kind of work with the brush hog back there, but that's the only other attachment I have.

 

[KubotaOne]

The lower arms of your 3-pt hitch have a height adjustment on them. You may already be on the "highest" lift setting, I believe my B3030 came on the highest. You remove the pins and re-position the vertical lifts to the other hole in the lower arms.

 

[Sully2]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm using a Woods 5' back blade as rear ballast (in addition to filled rear tires) for FEL work on my B3030. The problem I have is that even with the 3ph all the way up and the top link screwed as short as I can make it, the blade still gouges the ground when I approach a hill. I'm think I could solve this by buying a shorter top link. Any advice on where to get one, or possibly alternative suggestions?

I'd really like to have even more weight back there if possible. A full load of dirt in the front bucket still induces a high pucker factor, and I hate doing that kind of work with the brush hog back there, but that's the only other attachment I have. )</font>

I have the same sort of situation with mine...especially the "bouncing" when hauling a BIG load of dirt in the FEL. Hence..the reason I bought the rear BB for mine ( costs me right at $45 when I bought my tractor) and when Im doing a LOT of dirt /gravel transporting..thats what I use ( the rear BB)

For my own useage...at times the 60" back balde gets hung up in the woods Im clearing out! Sort of a PITA..but not much else I can do. As I work on the back yard Im ATTEMPTING to landscape... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif....I use the back blade and dont carry as much of a weight load in the FEL...I make more trips to the dirt pile..but its only about 100 feet away anyway.

 

[beenthere]

Does BB stand for back blade, or ballast box, or box blade /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I use the ballast box (BB). Tucked in closer to the tractor, and can hang on additional suitcase weights. But all depends on the jobs at hand. For weight alone, a specific weight for the job is the way to go. Having a quick hitch to pick it up is vital, IMO.

 

[Sully2]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does BB stand for back blade, or ballast box, or box blade /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I use the ballast box (BB). Tucked in closer to the tractor, and can hang on additional suitcase weights. But all depends on the jobs at hand. For weight alone, a specific weight for the job is the way to go. Having a quick hitch to pick it up is vital, IMO. )</font>
Ballast Box. I refer to the ballast box as "BB" and to the REAR blade..as "rear BB" at times..sorry for any confusion.

 

[KubotaSteve]

You could buy a carryall from tractor supply and then make a weight box for it, plus you would have another implement to use. On my B7800 I usually use my tiller or Box blade, either one gives me about 500 pounds. Even then there are times when the front gets a little light.

 

[Egon]

You may be able to remove the blade portion and use the frame of the back blade for holding something heavy. There are times I strap 5 gal. buckets of dirt to the back blade frame for a little more weight.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[john_bud]

Get a 55 gal drum (look around, you can usually get them at places that buy bulk fluids for free or cheap).

Fabricate mounts for the 3pt and fill it with cement. Puck factor is solved.
jb

 

[HammerFour]

How much would a 55 gallon drum full of cement weight anyhow?

Our L2350 has about 1600 pounds of 3ph lifting capacity, I wonder if it would lift that drum....

 

[TwinWillows]

I looked the following up in my Pocket Ref by TJ Glover:

1 gal = 0.15556 CF
55 gal = 8.5558 CF
concrete weighs 150 lbs per CF
That means 55 gal of concrete is 1,283.37 lbs.