BACKHOE VS BALLAST BOX

[Brimfield]

I just added a log grapple to my L3800. I know I need good ballast to move log length. I have rim guard in the rear tires. Now the choice is ballast box with sand or B77 Backhoe. I would assume the backhoe would be better but how are the ballast boxes? Today I moved a large round to try out the grapple but the snow blower was not enough weight and the rear tires were spinning in sand.

 

[fried1765]

I just added a log grapple to my L3800. I know I need good ballast to move log length. I have rim guard in the rear tires. Now the choice is ballast box with sand or B77 Backhoe. I would assume the backhoe would be better but how are the ballast boxes? Today I moved a large round to try out the grapple but the snow blower was not enough weight and the rear tires were spinning in sand.

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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.

 

[Berlock]

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 advantage is that you can slew it to the uphill side on hill crossings for better stability.

 

[TractorGuy]

The backhoe will raise the center of gravity and reduce the ground clearance. Go with added wheel weight and a 3pt ballast

 

[check 6]

I use a ballast box on my B2601 . I have modified it to hold garden tools. I use to have a box series with a backhoe and found it to be cumbersome and a little too heavy. Also I found the back home to be limited and required constant movement an set up to dig anything other than a stationary hole . After extensive research I have purschase a mini excavator which allows much more flexibility and retains the maneuverability of the tractor yes a larger over al, expense but over many years I have found combo tools like a tractor with back hoe less functional and flexible than specific tools for specific purposes

 

[CoyPatton]

If space is an issue, ditch the backhoe for ballast. Concrete will have more weigh than sand. You can buy pre-made metal boxes online in the $250.00 range empty. Some have tubes for tools.
Or you can YouTube search for ballast box and find 100’s if not 1000’s of homemade examples. The best part of building your own after the feel of I did it is with dome thought/preplanning, you get what best serves you. Overall size and shape being biggies. Incorporate the tool holders that fits your needs—chainsaw holder, chain holders, ax holder, and the lust is only limited by you.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I try to keep the cheapest, heaviest and most durable ballast on the back of my tractor. My $150 John Deere ballast box weighs 900 lbs. I bought it used a couple of months ago and filled it up 2 weeks ago with the extra concrete from my barn floor pour. If I damage it, I'm not out much. If I damage my other ballast options - 700 lb rototiller, 900 lb chipper, 500 lb snowblower, I am out a lot more money.

 

[WranglerX]

Don't have BH option, made a 600 (+/-) pound ballast box, measure 2x2x1 ft. and holds 4 cubic feet of concrete.... Smaller and more compact than a BH would be.... BUT if you have BH and its mounted it would work just fine, just remember the "bulk" behind you.

 

[4570Man]

I assume you already have the backhoe? 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. I’ve never used a BB because they’re useless for anything else. A box blade or backhoe or some other implement at least has other uses. Usually if I’m working in tight areas I’m not doing hard work and just drop the ballast entirely. Truth be told usually I loose the loader and use the rear implements for tight work. The loader adds considerably to the turning radius where the rear implement doesn’t have much effect.

 

[mikester]

My BH is my absolute goto ballast for heavy loader work. Hardly ever need to use 4WD with the BH installed.

 

[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.