Ballast/Balance box

[DanG]

Following the purchase of a JD 2210 that I was not happy with I returned the tractor and picked up a Kubota BX2230 with fel and 60"MMM. I realize the tractor can be unsteady with a loaded bucket. I purchased wheel weights, and it was not enough. I did not want to spend $200 for a ballast/balance box. I had some 3/16" steal laying in the barn so I built my own. The box is 22 5/8" long and 24 1/2" wide and 18" deep. It weighs in at 110lb empty. Can anyone tell me the size of the factory box for the BX2230 and the recommended amout of weight? I am fearful that I built this box too big. I have yet to put any weight in it but the tractor carries it well, empty.
New to the sight, Thanks for the advice. <font color="red"> </font> /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[jim_wilson]

I don't think I would worry so much about the physical size of the box - the actual weight itself is more important. I have a BX23 and I know when the backhoe unit is attached to the rear of the tractor it feels much more stable. The backhoe unit weighs in around 615 pounds. I also have a boxblade that weighs about 400 and a rear blade weighs about 250. The more weight on the rear the better the tractor feels to me. The problem with putting a huge amount of weight in the weight box is that the 3pt will tend to settle over time. With something like a weight box on I think the best solution would be to have something to came off the weight box and would rest on the hitch area of the tractor (frame section between the rear wheels) to prevent the weight box from settling down too much while you were using the tractor - this would also tie the weight more directly into the tractor frame which would give you more stablity.

 

[jim_wilson]

The other thing you can do for stability is to get the rear tires filled - I have the tires filled on my BX23 and I believe that it helps a lot - it adds a lot of weight down low whicy is where you want it.

 

[Junkman]

I have the Kubota weight box filled with over 600 pounds of lead ingots, but haven't used it this year at all. I have found that having the tires filled is enough weight for my snow blowing chores. Last year, with the weight box on the tractors 3 point hitch, I was able to mound the snow up so high with the loader bucket, that it looked like I was going to climb up the mountain of snow and flip the tractor over backward. The weight box prevented this from happening since it hung out so far. I never had a problem with the 3 point hitch falling from the weight, but no two tractors are exactly alike.... Junk....

 

[JWE]

Attached is a picture of my weight box. I'm not sure that you can read the decal but it says to add 300 pounds weight for the BX. I suspect that the box weighs about 100 pounds. The total would be 400 pounds or so.

John

 

[Scrounger]

That is one big box. I was thinking of making something out of solid steel and keep it small but as heavy as possible. Has anyone ever tried that before?

 

[Scrounger]

Can you post a picture of it?

 

[JWE]

The box really isn't very big. I think that the picture angle makes it look bigger than it is. I would be happy to measure it if you would like to know the exact size.

John

 

[Bob_Skurka]

JWE. . . I have the New Holland ballast box that looks identical (except for the paint color) to your box. Mine also is claimed to weigh 400 pounds loaded.

Scrounger . . . What I like about it is it is fairly compact, and the fact that the box gives me a place to carry tools too. It is narrow enough to fit between inside of the rear tires. Many people use box blades, but those are wide and deep and can hinder your manuverability in tight spots. I have my ballast box loaded with brick but left the top 3" empty so I can put tools, etc into a large soft sided duffle and carry things while still getting the benefits of the weight box. . . even on rough terrain nothing bounces out. I also welded casters onto the bottom of the box so it is easy to push into the corner of the garage when I don't need it.

 

[JWE]

For the first several months I used my tiller as balast. It worked OK but it was too big when I was working in tight spots. I loaded my box with twelve 25 pound sand bags from Home Depot. I put a plastic bucket in the centet and I keep my tow chain and extra gloves in there. I made a dolly out of 2X4s and four casters from TSC.

John