Ballast ballast box, to fill or not to fill

[jdpfeffer]

Hi,

I currently have my JD ballast box filled with stone, (#2) but am contemplating filling it with some sakrete i have laying around. Any advice on if this is a good idea? Has anyone done this and wished they had not? The sakrete is not going to last much longer so I'd like to put it to better use than letting it go bad in the bag.

Thanks!
2210, FEL MMM

 

[strokerduster]

filler up, just leave about 4" space at top for shelf to carry chainsaw, chains and stuff............

 

[ruglad03835]

Just got my 790 with FEL and a ballast box. I'm going to find a rectangular tall garbage can to line the box and put sand in it for the winter for the driveway. The dealer I used also filled the tires at no additional charge for me.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( filler up, just leave about 4" space at top for shelf to carry chainsaw, chains and stuff............ )</font>

And put a few pieces of PVC in the mix so you have tubes to put rakes and axes and whatever else in.

Although personally, I wouldn't fill it with concrete. It makes it very hard to move if you have to. If you have stone or concrete blocks in it, then they can be taken out and the box can still be moved by hand if need be.

Cliff

 

[B8FISH]

you can also put some pvc piping in the concrete mix as storage spots for rakes/shovels etc. Downside is that you introduce an area for water to get in if you park your machine outside. (not sure if the ballast box would still drain out the bottom with the concrete in it /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

 

[timb]

Some folks here brainstormed a different idea - sounded good but I don't know if anyone actually tried it yet.

Either using the built-in crossbar in the ballast box, or by welding in a modified support - hang and lock suitcase weights (normally used on the front of the tractor) in the box.

That way - if you need weight on the front - use the weights. Need weight on the back - use the box to hold the weights. Plus you need a place to stash the weights when off the tractor anyway - so the box becomes their 'home'.

Other's have built 3-point hitch braces to hold their weights directly - but since you already have the ballast box...

 

[strokerduster]

i have 4 suitcase weights laying in the 4" shelf left at the top of my ballast box. can be easily moved or taken out as load changes.

 

[Labrat]

I have 2 ballast boxes. One is filled with concrete for heavier loader work and the other has a couple of buckets full of old tire weights for snow blowing and light loader work. The quick hitch makes it easy to change from one to the other.

 

[ronjhall]

I had mine filled with gravel and bricks for several years. I was always loosing pins and clips in the gravel. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Decided to fill it with cement. Left about 4" at top for storage of tools, chains and other equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I also added a 2" receiver hitch before filling it. Click Here

 

[JDFANATIC]

I filled mine with "lamp post" mix, you know the type you put the dry concrete in, and then add water. Because I was concerned about the water running out, I used duct tape to seal the box at the bottom and corners. Now when water gets in the 4" channel the above posters are talking about, it doesn't drain; because of that, I had to drill some drain holes. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif