Ballast Block

[oosik]

Dave - concrete weight is determined by the cubic foot. Figure - X inches wide times X inches high times X inches deep. Divide that number by 1728 = cubic feet. This is the cubic feet of a square or rectangle.

A cubic foot of concrete "normally" weighs - - 150 pounds.

For a barrel - take the radius of the barrel, in inches, times the radius of the barrel in inches, again - times 3.14. That number times the height of the concrete in the barrel, in inches. Divide that number by 1728 = cubic feet.

Example for a barrel - radius of the barrel is 10" 10 x 10 = 100. 100 x 3.14 = 314 Height of the concrete in the barrel is 26". So - 314 x 26 = 8164 cubic inches. Now divide 8164 by 1728 = 4.72 cubic feet. Take 4.72 x 150 = 708 pounds plus whatever the barrel weighs.

The formulas - all figured in inches

For a square or rectangle - - Length x width x height - divided by 1728 = cubic feet. (1728 = cu in in a cu ft)

For a cylinder or barrel - - PIE x radius squared x height divided by 1728 = cubic feet ( PIE = 3.14 )

 

[newbury]

And if you are making it yourself take into account what you want for storage. You can "mold" in a place for a toolbox, put in PVC pipes to store long handled tools etc.
Many creative ideas here.

 

[oosik]

Yes - as Newbury indicates - there are some really fantastic ballast block designs shown on various threads here on TBN. Upper right corner of this page - Google Custom Search. Enter "ballast box" into Google as a start to a search on TBN.

 

[cat fever]

Not to get off topic but how much does this block weigh? Or a 50 gal barrel? I have a Kubota 2850 and I have been thinking about making one.

It has 1600 pounds of concrete and about 100 pounds of steel. I actually wish I had gone with a full ton.

 

[bcp]

In rounded numbers:

One cubic foot is about 7.5 gallons.

Concrete is about 150 pounds per cubic foot, or about 20 pounds per gallon.

Bruce

 

[oosik]

I have a feeling that my weight blob deteriorates because it sit out in the weather - water soaks into the cracks - freezes and expands. Putting a good heavy coat of paint on a ballast block - like cat fever - probably goes a long way towards keeping them intact.

A standard 55 gallon drum is 22.5 inches in diameter by 33.5 inches high. It has 7.70 cubic feet in volume and will weigh 1155 pounds +/- when full of concrete.

 

[msb1766]

I made mine out of 4000 psi concrete when I has a slab poured.
Made a form out of OSB put a draw bar in and welded 2 large eyelet bolts for the top link all together with rebar inside. The middle eyelet bolts are centered so I can lift it with the
loader if needed.
Is measures 20" tall, 19" wide and 16" deep
I set it on a moving dolly.