Quick Hitches ballast box w/ integral quick hitch??

[ohioboy]

I am throwing this out for opinions.

I need some ballast at the rear of my JD4410, but am reluctant to load the tires because of several issues: turf tracking, ease of repair, swapping b/w turfs and R1's, etc.
My thought was to build a three point ballast assembly with a quick hitch incorporated at its rear. I'd use as much steel (500#/cu. ft) fill as I could to get the (or whatever shape) weight to at least 700#. I realize the PTO shaft would present an issue for a standard box, but an inverted "U" shape like the quick hitch already is would work.

Any benefit here? Would it help or hinder the use of implements? (Rear blade, box blade, hole digger, etc)? What about the extra three point length? Your thoughts are appreciated as I only want to fab it once.

 

[gordon21]

You will need longer shafts to fit all implements. Depending upon length and quantity, that could be several hundred dollars. Does that affect your plan?

The U joint angles would be reduced by going back an extra 2' or so, which is a good thing. Making a large tall tunnel through the ballast box or a U shape will be necessary. Allow for extreme movement up and down of the box to prevent hitting the PTO shaft.

The concept sounds OK. You are basically making a long driveshaft like what is under any rear wheel drive car.

 

[ohioboy]

Good point on the PTO shaft length. It probably won't to much of an issue because I'd probably remove the ballast for mowing as the mowers are pretty heavy already.

How about for rear blade/box work?
or would you want any extra ballast on the blade/box assembly itself?