Ballast ballast box material

[deereman63]

If the land dries out I will be needing to move the earth that was dug up when they put in my pool. I intend to use the FEL and therefore need to use the ballast box .
my 2210 has turf tires and up to now they have spun when using the fel for earth moving.
Couple of questions
a) what amount of weight should I add to the ballast box and what is the best kind of weight
b) If i use sand should I leave it in the sacks so that it doesnt get wet
c) do you think i will still need chains to stop the spinning

Thanks

 

[JDFANATIC]

I filled the weight bucket for my 2210 with concrete. I have the 53" bucket and with loaded rear tires, it just about balances out the heaviest loader work. The downside to using concrete, is that you can't really use the ballast box for lighter work. You will also probably want to work in low range, and possibly even use the differential lock. I started a similar project last year before the #&$@^ /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif white stuff started coming down, but with what I was able to do, tire slippage was minimal without having going to chains.

As for the ground drying out anytime soon...who knows! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

BTW, in your profile, I noticed a PHD. What brand is it, and do you have any comments about using it on the 2210?

 

[ronjhall]

I added ready mix cement to my weight box. Bags weigh 80 lbs each. 3 bags should give you about 350 lbs when weight of box is included. Max weight for a 2210 is 807 lbs. I would not go over 4 bags in the box. When the cement dries you end up with a good place to store your tools.

 

[dmp437]

a) Check either the tractor or loader manuals for the recommended amount of weight. The best kind is the densest material you can get a hold of. I prefer lead as in lead counterweights.
b) Even in sacks the sand will get wet from condensation.
c) Chains? Possibly. Depended on your loader technique.

 

[Dave4410]

I filled mine with crushed stone from my driveway and left a little room for a couple of 16' chains. They come in mighty handy more often than you would guess. I have a 4410 with 61"hd bucket and have never wanted for more counterweight.

 

[farmermatt]

i dont know how big your ballast box is. but if it is at least 1.5 feet by 2 feet you might be able to set front end weights for big tractors. they each weigh 100 pounds. this way you can add 100 pounds or say 1000 pounds. each weight is only 1.5 inches wide. they would be much easier putting them in than sand and temporary compared to concrete. you might be able to find some used weights at an auction.

matt

 

[garchib]

I had mine filled with concrete by the dealer when I bought my loader. They did not charge me extra and did a very neat job. So far, this has been plenty o ballast /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[trafford69]

I filled mine with tube sand, which made th amount of weight I have in it easily adjusted to the work I'm doing. I also have turf tires on my 4010 and traction is a big issue in mud. I ordered some chains and I think that will really be the hot ticket. On smaller tractors, too much weight will rob from your ability to effectively move heavier loads around.

 

[txhawg]

Well, I don't have one yet, but I can tell you what my intentions are. I intend to use my FEL to stuff my mother-in-law into the ballast box. She's heavy enough to counter balance any load, but I may add some concrete for good measure. That should keep her quiet for a spell, too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Buckie]

afternoon! what did you wind up using for ballast material? I have ordered a ballast box and will be filling it up, too, for counterbalance of the FEL. My issue is that, being female, I cannot lift huge weights, so I need some kind of material, blocks, bags, etc, that I can manage (in more quantity, with lower per-item weight), as opposed to fewer in quantity with higher per-item weight.
How has this worked out for you?