Ballast box--how big?

[k0ua]

I really like your setup. That is just so handy. Is there a slot/scabbard for a chainsaw bar in there too?

I just put my saw head in the space between the 6 inch chain holders blade up. But it would not be any trouble to mount a scabbard on the side or back even now. I just don't need the saw all that much so I never did it.

If you put one of those fold up SUV 2 inch receiver carriers on the back on the 2 inch. you could strap all kinds of stuff on the back of it if you were making a day of it in the woods or something. Cooler, water jug, chainsaw, fuel etc. I use the 2 hooks on the side to hang my short chain draped around the barrel, and also for 5 gallon buckets hung on them for tools etc. The idea of the short chain is to leave it hooked up as you move around when you are pulling trees then hook your long chains to the short chain to keep from having to go under the barrel each time to hook to the clevis. just hook to the short 6 foot chain.

 

[Underdog57]

I am in the middle of building one with a 3pt bale spear ( Titan - $169. ). The spears will slide into PVC pipe so the spears can be pulled out if need be. I will be cutting the center spear off and putting a hitch pin thru it to keep block from sliding off. The concrete level will be down 5" from the top so I'll have a storage area. I will be leaving the wood attached. The inside dimensions of the concrete block are 20.5" W x 44" L x 22.5" H (approx 1600#)

. .

.

 

[MorningViewStables]

I am in the middle of building one with a 3pt bale spear ( Titan - $169. ). The spears will slide into PVC pipe so the spears can be pulled out if need be. I will be cutting the center spear off and putting a hitch pin thru it to keep block from sliding off. The concrete level will be down 5" from the top so I'll have a storage area. I will be leaving the wood attached. The inside dimensions of the concrete block are 20.5" W x 44" L x 22.5" H (approx 1600#)

View attachment 367041. View attachment 367042. View attachment 367043

View attachment 367044. View attachment 367045

NICE!!! Very NICE!!! Your weight is carried a little farther back off the 3 point, so you will get a little more leverage out if it. Should perform well!

 

[7879fordman]

I am in the middle of building one with a 3pt bale spear ( Titan - $169. ). The spears will slide into PVC pipe so the spears can be pulled out if need be. I will be cutting the center spear off and putting a hitch pin thru it to keep block from sliding off. The concrete level will be down 5" from the top so I'll have a storage area. I will be leaving the wood attached. The inside dimensions of the concrete block are 20.5" W x 44" L x 22.5" H (approx 1600#)

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=367041"/>. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=367042"/>. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=367043"/>

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=367044"/>. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=367045"/>

Just remember them little spikes don't hold weight very well . The break and bend easy .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

 

[MorningViewStables]

Usually rated for a 2klb round bale, but good point to check.

 

[Underdog57]

Usually rated for a 2klb round bale, but good point to check.

The specs say 3000# capacity.

 

[MorningViewStables]

The specs say 3000# capacity.

Good thing you made a "point" to check. :laughing: I'm sorry!

 

[GManBart]

For those of you still thinking a barrel of concrete weighs 1400#, lets talk concrete weights of normal concrete (as opposed to lightweight concrete) which is what one would be mixing up or buying from a redi-mix plant. A cubic foot of concrete weighs 145 pounds and a standard 55 gallon drum would hold 7.3 cubic feet of something water, air or even concrete. A std drum is 35" tall x 24" in diameter(remember the old brazing rod trick -a standard brazing rod is 36" long). After doing the calculations, a standard drum will hold 1058# of normal weight concrete + the weight of the drum which varies a bit on whether it is steel or plastic. So allowing for 42# for the drum (very high weight drum) one might realistically have 1100 pounds of weight to contend with when building this counterweight.
The only real difference in usability will be in how far back from the axle centerline that it is placed whether it is centerlined with the 3 PH balls or a fabricated frame is made to carry it further back while still having good maneuverability.

If you use a drawbar, that adds some, and whatever you use for a top link as well....nit too much, but it all counts.

 

[Dan Hunter]

My barrel makes an effective bumper. This is quite useful while tree shearing when maneuvering for a good angle is tough. The plastic is tough enough that I don't mind it touching down on my Sandy soil.

It I had it to do again I'd have built it horizontally with a detachable base stand so I could carry it lower still.

 

[Underdog57]

I am in the middle of building one with a 3pt bale spear ( Titan - $169. ). The spears will slide into PVC pipe so the spears can be pulled out if need be. I will be cutting the center spear off and putting a hitch pin thru it to keep block from sliding off. The concrete level will be down 5" from the top so I'll have a storage area. I will be leaving the wood attached. The inside dimensions of the concrete block are 20.5" W x 44" L x 22.5" H (approx 1600#)

View attachment 367041. View attachment 367042. View attachment 367043

View attachment 367044. View attachment 367045

Finished my ballast box today: concrete weight is 1600# the wood box is approx. 200#. The total should be real close to 1800#.