Ballast BALLAST BOX

[flINTLOCK]

I bought a ballast box from NH dealer before consulting the experts on this forum. It has capacity of 400# total including the box when filled with sand or similar material, according to the dealer. After buying it, I read some posts here that recommend 700# or so for counterbalancing loader work. I will be grappling logs for bucking firewood that will probably get close to max loader capacity of about 1500# and moving large boulders when in the way. I see that kubota sells much larger capacity BB's and was thinking of returning my smaller box which has not been used yet. ?? Thoughts ??

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Flintlock,
There have been quite a few threads and ideas on ballast box ideas. I built mine for next to nothing, the drum was free and I got the steel rod at work for nothing, only cost was the concrete and I supplied the rocks ! I believe it to be about 700 lbs. It really makes a difference doin loader work !

 

[flINTLOCK]

I thought that the larger box would allow some room at the top for chains, etc, and still get plenty of weight in bottom.

 

[scott_vt]

Hi Flintlock,
I have seen some real innovative ideas when it comes to ballast boxes. My concrete barrel is certainly not one of them ! But it does the job and I do wrap about 15 ft of chain around the barrel for various uses. Some of the guys created boxes that had some storage compartments, one fella even had a scabbard for his chain saw, I thought that was really neat !

 

[flINTLOCK]

Since I don't weld, I'll probably have to rely on storebought, unfortunately.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Do a search on "Ballast Box" User "Chris2520" and you will find some pics and ideas. See thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...filled-ballast-box.html?highlight=ballast+box

 

[canoetrpr]

You might want to look at loading tires also. I started with only a ballast box and decided that I needed to load the tires once I started to really do something with my FEL.

I wouldn't look back. Loading the tires has made a huge difference. I still use reasonable ballast on 3 PT. when I'm picking something like gravel up.

 

[Timber]

A ballast drum requires no welding to make at all. Mine has a lid and I left about 12 inches at the top for storage. It is over 800 pounds. I use my box blade most of the time for ballast though. If I am moving stone or doing a lot of fork work I throw the drum on

 

[Mighty Dodge]

My take on this, weighs about 500#. The back can still get light if I pick up something heavy with my bucket boom.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Good suggestion. Tires came loaded freom dealer.