Ballast Ballast Box

[NYBOB]

I am taking delivery soon of a 3720. My dealer is out of JD ballast boxes and had to order it. In the meantime I have a ballast bar from my old tractor that has 500lbs of weights on it.

I see on my 300CX manual it calls for loading the tires which I did. 3 wheel weights per side and 1100 lbs of rear ballast.

I guess my question is, what should I put in the ballast box to get as much weight as I can? Will it be close to 1100 lbs? Also, I see there is an extension for the ballast box. How much more weight can I get into that?
Lastly, do I really need to put the 3 weights per side as it recommends?

Thanks

Bob

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I have a 4110. I usually have a 46 backhoe, but when it's not on, I have only a ballast box loaded with rocks, no wheel weights or loaded tires. It's been sufficient for traction and stability. If you have loaded tires and a ballast box loaded with rocks or sand (something you can take out), you should be fine.

 

[kennyd]

If you want it heavy, fill it with PORTLAND CEMENT. You loader manual should list the estimated weights for sand, regular cement, and Portland cement-it's in my manual...

I have posted these #'s before also...



EDIT:
You can refer to THIS POST, I listed the figures my manual listed...

 

[kude]

If I were to buy a ballast box, I'd be hesitant to fill it with concrete or cement. I already have a pile of hard to get rid of concrete. Sand or dirt should work, maybe gravel.

 

[kennyd]

If I were to buy a ballast box, I'd be hesitant to fill it with concrete or cement. I already have a pile of hard to get rid of concrete. Sand or dirt should work, maybe gravel.

You will not get the BB to weigh in excess of 1000lbs with sand, gravel or dirt.

The OP asked:

I guess my question is, what should I put in the ballast box to get as much weight as I can?

 

[kude]

Okay there Kennyd,

The OP could throw 10 100lbs bags unopened of cement in there just to be precise, dig his project, and then use the cement and not have a 1000 pound block of concrete laying around. I was just trying to point out alternatives.

 

[Chris2520]

Why not just fill the Ballast Box with portland and make it as heavy as possable. that is what its made for. I mean there is no reson you would ever want it to be lighter.

Chris.....

 

[kude]

The OP could also take the 500lbs of iron he already has and add 600lbs more weight to get his 1100lbs. I know I know, you guys love the cement.
I don't know if the iron would fit in the ballast box, but again it's only another alternative.

 

[jcmseven]

If one fills it with cement, how can one use it to store garden tools when it is not in use???

John M

 

[mjncad]

My JD ballast box is filled with 7 bags of Home Despot's finest sand. Total weight is in the vicinity of 600# as I recall. Sand has another benefit if you are working in the snow and get stuck...you have plenty of sand to throw under the tires.

I did that a couple of times this past winter and put my folding surplus army shovel to use after many years of it doing nothing useful.

 

[VABlue]

"If one fills it with cement, how can one use it to store garden tools when it is not in use???"

Put PVC pipes in the box before adding the concrete. Just be sure to drill drainage holes for the pipes. This idea I saw on a previous thread here. This site rocks!

 

[deereman64]

If you weight the box dont forget to buy the dolly.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

only drawback of loading the BB with concrete is that it's difficult to move around later. Just my $0.02. IMATCH will help.

 

[deereman64]

If you buy the HF Imatch and have to widen it to fit other implements then your Deere box will be too narrow.

 

[Chris2520]

I had to build a dolly this weekend.
without it. your pretty much stuck, once its filled.

Chris....

 

[Flywheel]

only drawback of loading the BB with concrete is that it's difficult to move around later. Just my $0.02. IMATCH will help.

Is'nt that what the FEL is for???


Oh, but then you'd need another ballast box to move the first ballast box around.......doh!

 

[Chris2520]

Is'nt that what the FEL is for???


Oh, but then you'd need another ballast box to move the first ballast box around.......doh!

or have a backhoe....

Chris......

 

[nmu98]

Just an FYI.... I am putting my equipment holders on the outside of the box, and I filled it full, right to the top with portland, and filled in all the voids...

5 (94 pound) bags of portland.....

I dont know how you guys got 6 or 7 in there......

 

[Chris2520]

Just an FYI.... I am putting my equipment holders on the outside of the box, and I filled it full, right to the top with portland, and filled in all the voids...

5 (94 pound) bags of portland.....

I dont know how you guys got 6 or 7 in there......

I think i got 7 or 7 1/2 of 94 pound portlands in there.
I read somewhere if you add to much water while mixing.
it will really cut down on the amount you can get in there.
and personaly. i thought mine was to wet. i mixed it in a wheel
barrow. and then put it in the box. but afterwords. i kept adding more dry
portland strate to the box as i felt it was to wet. ..

Chris...

 

[bjcsc]

I built my own ballast box. I can adjust the distance from the rear axle from my seat depending on the weight I need back there. Works great, and is not too big (1.5 cubic ft)...