Ballast Codes for a "Naked" Tractor

[msmud]

I thought I would provide the following information FWIW and to illustrate the interesting front end weight differences in the 3E series, 3x20, and 4x20 machines. Putting a long heavy rear implement on a tractor requires ballasting but sometimes more or less than one thinks. The ballast code for my RC2072 bushhog is 54 - 55 without imatch; 39 for the RC2060; and around 23 - 24 with the RC2048. The shorter the implement the less front end counter weight required.

So a naked 3E series front end provides only 24 ballast units, requiring that some 31 units be made up in weights to counterbalance my bushhog--in my case that is 8-70# weights, plus weight bracket and front hood guard. About 27# per unit. The 3x20 tractors provide 36 units with a naked front end, and the 4x20 tractors provide 48 units. You can add 1 - 2 units for a hood guard installed. The 3x20 needs very little weight for a 5 ft hog; the 4x20 none. For my 6 ft hog, the 4x20 would need only around 140# if a hood guard is installed, or only 2-70# weights.

Tractor weight and its distribution isn't the only factor influencing this. A longer wheelbase of course increases the naked BC code of the front end. The presence of a loader will also increase the BC code though sometimes not enough for really long or heavy rear attachments. In my case a loader would not be enough for my 6' hog, one of the reasons I bought the tractor without one. Important info to keep in mind before choosing a particular tractor model.

 

[rekees4300]

Perhaps it would be helpful to define the terms "ballast code", "ballast unit", and "BC code"? :confused3:

 

[msmud]

Figuring out how much weight it takes on the front of a tractor to counterbalance a load of a given length and weight on the back of the tractor--or vice versa--requires a bit of algebra and a few assumptions. It's very important for safety of course, but also for getting the right traction. Deere has simplified that by coming up with a simple number called a ballast code which is assigned to a rear implement in order to help the operator know how much weight to put on the front end, usually via a table in the owner's manual, though you can calculate it.

There are different tables in the owners manuals for the use of imatch--which holds the implement out a little farther from the rear axle pivot point, thereby requiring still more front end weight to balance; for whether you have a cab tractor, which increases front end weight, reducing the need for ballast; or for whether you have a loader, which does the same. For instance on the 3032E/3038E the base ballast code of the front end--21 with imatch (I used 24 without imatch)--will balance rear implements coded 21 or lower if you use imatch. If you have a loader with bucket attached, the front end code jumps to 52 because of the extra front end weight, meaning that you can balance rear implements coded 52 or lower, such as a 5 foot bushhog, if you use imatch, about 54 or 55 if you dont.

I had to get into the nitty gritty of all of this because my dealer wasn't sure by the tables whether I could balance a 6 foot bushhog on the E series. I found out I could, but then in looking at the owner's manuals for the other tractor series, it became apparent just how different each of these tractor series are from each other as far as needed ballast. This is why I posted the base values, without imatch, for the various tractors as a guide.

 

[rekees4300]

Okay thanks for the explanation. Until your post never heard the term "ballast code" before. Can see where such a code would be useful since every tractor's rear axle acts as a fulcrum but there are variables from tractor to tractor.

 

[msmud]

I should correct the weight per ballast code unit, which should be around 21 pounds per unit. This means that you can calculate the base front end weight of the various tractors 3E series approx 450#; 3x20 series 750#; and 4x20 series 1000#. No wonder the 4x20s don't need any extra front end weight to ballast many attachments.

 

[pclausen]

Very interesting. Never knew about ballast codes before. My 5085M can handle a implement with a code of 87 with no front weights. So @ 21# each, that would mean I can handle implements up to 1827# with no front weights. Pretty amazing.

 

[msmud]

pcclausen,
Your no-weight front end ballast code of 87 means your front end weighs about 1827#. With a short load like a ballast box for a loader, which doesn't protrude behind the tractor very far, you likely would be able to lift more than 1827# without front end ballast. On the other hand, if you attach a 10 ft boom pole and try to lift 1827#, your front end might come up. The attachment BC for the ballast box is less than 87; for the boom pole load it is more than 87.

As a practical example, the attachment BC for the MX6 cutter is 82; likely you would need no front end ballast. The code for the dual wheel MX7 is 130, suggesting that you would need (130-87)x21 or around 900# extra weight added to the front end, which might be 12-70# weights plus the bracket.

 

[pclausen]

Thanks that makes sense.

Is Implement Codes something only Deere does for their implements? I have a Bush Hog 3209 rotary cutter that weigh around 2500 lbs. I looked in the Operator Manual for it, and there is no mention of Implement codes anywhere.

 

[msmud]

That's my experience, too, in looking at non-Deere attachments; no guidance is given in the form of codes to help you balance the machine. Because of Deere's detailed code system, I was able to figure out a 6 ft bushhog could be balanced on the 3038e before I bought it. Just one more reason to buy John Deere in my opinion. The company gives so much detail about its products, owner's manuals online etc.

 

[pclausen]

I looked up the implement code for the MX10 rotary cutter. It's 141, which is probably in the ballpark of what my Bush Hog 3209 is.

My tractor manual indicates that I max out an implement code of 127 without liquid in the front tires and 8 104 lb front weights, or 137 with liquid and 8 weights.

Now the tractor will hold 14 weights, which would allow it to carry a much heavier implement, but I guess the reason the manual shows a max of 137 has to do with max front axle weight, which is 4365 lbs in my case? Seems odd as another section of the manual states that the tractor will hold up to 14 weights...

I have used my 3209 cutter for about 8 hours so far, but that was with the FEL mounted with a 1000 lbs grapple. That combo was very stable.