Am I being a noob about ballast boxes...

[RoyJackson]

If you need weight in a hurry the carry-all is probably the thing to get, at least you can use it for other things. (mine recently morphed into a garden bedder)(after morphing into a trailer mover) And they're cheap.

Carryall is a good option, if you can get enough stable weight on it. Biggest hassle is actually getting the weight on it.
A 3PH pallet mover could work too (leave the weight on the pallet permanently).

 

[jdonovan]

If the OP was looking for compact, work near fences, trees, ballast, then a carry all is a REALLY bad choice.

 

[moored4]

Recently, I emailed Everything Attachments to see if they sold ballast boxes on their web site, since a search failed to turn up that implement. The response I got ran in part thus:

Quote:
We don't carry ballast boxes, get a box blade for rear weight and have a useful attachment...



That struck me as an odd response, and faintly condescending. I wanted to check with you experienced folks about whether or not a ballast box really is "useless." I had the impression that BB's would work nicely in tight confines such as in wooded areas and near buildings and fences, but maybe I just don't know anything?

I think that they had good intentions but their choice of wording was not thought out well and the tone of intent did come off as a little condescending.:2cents:

 

[TripleR]

It really depends on the individual/tractor/use, some people need them, some people don't and some people don't know they need one.

I have always used a piece of equipment such as a box blade, but with our M8540 will probably have my son build one out of an old barrel when he gets time.

 

[Perplexed]

Thanks for the comments. I did want to find out about the availability of ballast boxes, as in the short time I've owned my tractor, I've already found myself in several instances where the 6' finish mower hanging way out the back restricted my lines of approach/departure to/from the spot being worked. Trying to use the FEL and at the same time looking constantly over my shoulder has me thinking about a rear counter-weight that doesn't take up as much space as the mower. Hence, my query to Everything Attachments about the ballast box. By the way, I think I'd like a box that can be filled with sand which can be used for traction as needed, so solid concrete blocks wouldn't work too well, even if the latter would be more dense and cheaper/easier to fabricate.

 

[jdonovan]

By the way, I think I'd like a box that can be filled with sand which can be used for traction as needed, so solid concrete blocks wouldn't work too well, even if the latter would be more dense and cheaper/easier to fabricate.

Why not 'crete with a foot or two of sand on top.... best of both worlds. :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the comments. I did want to find out about the availability of ballast boxes, as in the short time I've owned my tractor, I've already found myself in several instances where the 6' finish mower hanging way out the back restricted my lines of approach/departure to/from the spot being worked. Trying to use the FEL and at the same time looking constantly over my shoulder has me thinking about a rear counter-weight that doesn't take up as much space as the mower. Hence, my query to Everything Attachments about the ballast box. By the way, I think I'd like a box that can be filled with sand which can be used for traction as needed, so solid concrete blocks wouldn't work too well, even if the latter would be more dense and cheaper/easier to fabricate.

I know what you mean. The implements I have don't lend themselves as good ballast (too long or awkward) and the only time I used a box blade, I borrowed it (not enough use to purchase one).
You might try a local tractor dealer...see if he has any used ballast boxes (just make sure it's the same category as your tractor). Try a free ad on your local Craigslist too.
I bought mine used (although it had never actually been used by the owner...just came with his tractor/loader). I even got several hundred pounds of sand in it!

 

[Airedale]

I have been keeping my eye out for a ballast box myself and one thing I have found is they are not readily available, no dealers seem to want to stock them. Kind of surprised because they are recommended so favorably especially for those tractors that have loaders which many seem to have.


Al

 

[jake98]

If the OP was looking for compact, work near fences, trees, ballast, then a carry all is a REALLY bad choice.

How about a $2500. chipper? Is that a really bad choice too? :confused2:
For me, putting an attachment on the back that doesn't do anything is a bad choice..

 

[RoyJackson]

If the OP was looking for compact, work near fences, trees, ballast, then a carry all is a REALLY bad choice.

Not really...the carryalls are relatively compact compared to other implements