Ballast box or use something else?

[gunner76]

Going to be getting a 1715 with FEL and MMM in a couple of weeks and was wondering what you guys recommend running for rear weight. I really don't want to fill the tires since I'll be using this to mow and want to keep it as light as possible for that(my ground is perfectly flat so no issues with traction). I was leaning towards a ballast box but was wondering about the wheel weights or maybe just rigging up a bar on the 3pt and putting some weights on that.

Also, how much weight would a guy need to counter the weight of using the FEL?

 

[jeff9366]

With air filled tires I recommend Three Point Hitch ballast weighing 67% of the lift capacity of your FEL. You cannot foresee any Three Point Hitch implement you will need in the immediate future?

Wheel weights and filled rear tires have the same effect. Filling the tires is cheaper and lowers the center-of-gravity for the tractor more than wheel weights.

 

[gunner76]

With air filled tires I recommend Three Point Hitch ballast weighing 67% of the lift capacity of your FEL. You cannot foresee any Three Point Hitch implement you will need in the immediate future?

Wheel weights and filled rear tires have the same effect. Filling the tires is cheaper and lowers the center-of-gravity for the tractor more than wheel weights.

I was contemplating a tiller or snow blower but I don't I'd use either enough to justify the cost. I'd be more apt to buy a rear mounted blade but that really won't add much weight.

I'm going to try using the loader this winter for snow removal and if it doesn't work like I hope it will I'll buy a blower.

 

[jeff9366]

Consider steel or rubber tire chains for your rear wheels to make your winter experiment with FEL snow removal worthwhile.

Adding a soft edge to the front of your bucket will prevent damage to a hard driveway.

 

[gunner76]

Consider steel or rubber tire chains for your rear wheels to make your winter experiment with FEL snow removal worthwhile.

Adding a soft edge to the front of your bucket will prevent damage to a hard driveway.

Thanks for the info. someone said having chains on the front really helps also.

My driveway is rock so I try to float the bucket and leave an inch or two of snow, saves a lot of work in the spring.

I grew up on a farm and have a lot of experience with the big stuff but these SCUTs are a totally new realm for me. I've been using my dad's extra 773 bobcat for the last 10yrs but want something of my own and the bobcat is just too big for my needs and is really a one season use machine for me since it's really too heavy to be driving around on my lawn.

 

[atsah]

My tire's are loaded and I have a ballast box as well, I tried the rear blade this past winter, I found I didn't use it much and it stuck out to far for using just as ballast.

I installed a ssqa and installed a 60 inch bucket so I need the extra weight in the rear.

 

[boggen]

lots of DIY weight boxes for 3pt hitchon the forum.

google search for...
diy ballast 3pt site:tractorbynet.com
then click up on images. and it should bring back a good amount of results.
the ""site:"" only brings back just stuff from this site, vs searching everything on internet

most folks tend to build a 3pt hitch "something" and fill with concrete. many time folks will use 1" to 4" pvc pipe in there weight box / ballast box so they can shove some long handle tools into the ballast box (shovels and like) or lower chain into the pipe, and toss hooks on the edge.

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pay attention to your "owners manual / operators manual" it should give you some info...
tire pressure for front wheels, and tire pressure for rear wheels.

with FEL, generally folks go up towards max pressure in the front tires, when they know they are planning to use the FEL.
with rear tires, myself and others will let the pressure down in them. or less going to be loading up a heavy 3pt attachment and then pressure gets raises in rear tires as well if needed.

=============
gauge wheels to a pipe that has a slit cut into it and tossed onto cutting edge. been used for FEL cutting edge, to rear blade cutting edge. to deal with not scraping up concrete driveways to paved driveways. to dealing with rock drive ways. there are some that have little flat "discs" think of them as skies, vs gauge wheels or a pipe.

============
a 3pt hitch rear blade can be a nice rear weight. and dealing with snow at same time. more so when it comes to doing cleanup of removing snow with FEL, and wanting to remove some of the extra snow here and there that is compacted and slick in some areas. rear blade doubles duty when dealing with maintaining rock driveway and bring rock back up on the driveway in spring,summer, fall.

 

[RNeumann]

I'd get a box blade. They are all over the place used. If you still need more weight throw some weight on the box by adding some posts to the box. The posts can hold/accept weights. This approach adds function and weight. I use my box year round.

 

[AxleHub]

Going to be getting a 1715 with FEL and MMM in a couple of weeks and was wondering what you guys recommend running for rear weight. I really don't want to fill the tires since I'll be using this to mow and want to keep it as light as possible for that(my ground is perfectly flat so no issues with traction). I was leaning towards a ballast box but was wondering about the wheel weights or maybe just rigging up a bar on the 3pt and putting some weights on that.

Also, how much weight would a guy need to counter the weight of using the FEL?

First, because you will be cutting lawns, it's important what type of tires you have. I have a GC1715 and have turf tires. I specifically chose those because I wanted really good traction in winter o my driveways and sidewalks. . . and because I cut a bunch of lawn that is on steep hillor sidehill.

I have filled rears and healthy lawns. Even on steep uphill areas. . I don't rip the lawn. But that's because I don't " turn sharp and fast". Speed is not your friend on lawns when you make turns whether you use a zero turn or a tractor.

In winter. . . turf tires are excellent on concrete driveways "on steep driveways too". In winter or when using the gel or or set I've never needed more than 185 lbs on the 3pt. And I can take doe or all of these weight off very quickly. I use a narrow weight rack that is about 24 inches behind the rear axle. It sits low and is only 2 feet wide so it's narrower than the inside of the rear wheels.

I also have a snow edge from ratchet rake for attachment to the gel bucket for winter plowing t keep from marking all the concrete or wearing the bucket.

 

[ray66v]

A backhoe is outstanding ballast.

It's pretty good for digging too.

 

[SteveM70]

A backhoe is outstanding ballast.

It's pretty good for digging too.

I don't think the OP has plans for a backhoe. If so, he's getting the wrong tractor.

I personally never leave the backhoe on unless I need to dig with it. It really throws things out of wack on my hills.

 

[gunner76]

I don't think the OP has plans for a backhoe. If so, he's getting the wrong tractor.

I personally never leave the backhoe on unless I need to dig with it. It really throws things out of wack on my hills.

No plans for a backhoe, if I had one I wouldn't have a lawn left because I'd be out digging holes all over.:laughing:

I'm thinking about just rigging up a bar to go through the 3-point arms and hanging some type of weight off it.

 

[ray66v]

It's nice living on flat land; I don't have to ever take my backhoe off.

I have seen a steel drum with concrete in it, used for ballast.

 

[SteveM70]

No plans for a backhoe, if I had one I wouldn't have a lawn left because I'd be out digging holes all over.:laughing:

I'm thinking about just rigging up a bar to go through the 3-point arms and hanging some type of weight off it.

Just for reference, I weight #230 and have close to 200 pounds of ballast in my rear tires. That's enough to move a full bucket of gravel or dirt without trouble but still, something as light as a landscape rake hanging off the three point is even better when I'm not in a tight space.

 

[AxleHub]

Stevem70. My body weight sometimes helps and sometimes hurts. With a load on the forks or rock in the bucket it's good with me and the loaded tires also. . . Until I start going down an incline. Then my weigh shifts somewhat forward and no longer gives the rears that "bulk muscle" advantage

I found that creating a well located added weight on the 3 pt. That is neither wide or tall really eliminates my need to be as noticing of the incline amount until I get to "back it down" needs.

230# that's my goal by the way lol.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I've always thought about getting a nice piece of rebar and going on craigslist list and buying up some olympic weight plates....

Another idea is to find a cut off of a ~18" diameter pipe, make some plywood forms to hold rebar in the center, and fill with concrete.

 

[dnw64]

A backhoe is outstanding ballast.

Tru dat.

It also can be quite in the way. Even the 3pt can be in the way! I plan to take mine off of the winter.

 

[fried1765]

A backhoe is outstanding ballast.

It's pretty good for digging too.

Works great for me!
My hoe weighs 2200 lbs.

 

[gunner76]

I've always thought about getting a nice piece of rebar and going on craigslist list and buying up some olympic weight plates....Another idea is to find a cut off of a ~18" diameter pipe, make some plywood forms to hold rebar in the center, and fill with concrete.

I already looked into this. The used weights I found were kind of expensive and in the end it would be cheaper to buy a ballast box and fill it with cement. I think you best bet would be to hit up garage sales or auctions, the weight sets would probably go cheap at these places.

 

[SteveM70]

Stevem70. My body weight sometimes helps and sometimes hurts. With a load on the forks or rock in the bucket it's good with me and the loaded tires also. . . Until I start going down an incline. Then my weigh shifts somewhat forward and no longer gives the rears that "bulk muscle" advantage

I found that creating a well located added weight on the 3 pt. That is neither wide or tall really eliminates my need to be as noticing of the incline amount until I get to "back it down" needs.

230# that's my goal by the way lol.

Agreed. I recently switched over to R4's from R1's. Before I did the two or three plugged holes in each rear tire had leaked out all but about a gallon of liquid ballast. I kept my bucket close to the ground and my hand on the lever when working on even the slightest downhill:laughing:

I live on a hillside but the way things lay I'm usually going uphill with a loaded bucket.