Ballast for B2601

[LarJea]

In the quick reply, select the "insert image" icon (third from right), then select choose file button from the popup (make sure "from computer" tab is selected), then after you select the image, you choose "upload files"

View attachment 423958

Thanks much, I will give it a shot.

 

[David Devuono]

You can't get a much lower centre of gravity then a loaded bucket hanging 6 inches off the ground. It Sounds like the OP needs a counterweight. If the forks are clamped to the bucket that makes it worse than if quick attach forks. No amount of wheel weighting will help. If funds are short, go for a box blade, otherwise a ballast box is the best. With both the loader and ballast box riding 6 inches off the ground you would have a pretty low centre of gravity.

 

[Sodo]

In the meantime you could:

- carry 8 bags instead of 10 (but you knew that)
or
- Move 4 bags to inside the bucket (instead of way forward on the forks)

I have a water barrel for rear ballast. Adding 450 lbs of water balances 780lbs on the FEL. I almost ALWAYS want to pick the item up first and see if it's worth all the monkeying around to go get the ballast (then to put it away). A ballast is useless oherwise, better if you have a heavy implement that you actually USE.

 

[AxleHub]

You can't get a much lower centre of gravity then a loaded bucket hanging 6 inches off the ground. It Sounds like the OP needs a counterweight. If the forks are clamped to the bucket that makes it worse than if quick attach forks. No amount of wheel weighting will help. If funds are short, go for a box blade, otherwise a ballast box is the best. With both the loader and ballast box riding 6 inches off the ground you would have a pretty low centre of gravity.

The best possible center of gravity on any vehicle is at axle height and between the axles. I just finished a few minutes ago cutting on steep hill and side hill angles again . . so its ever fresh in my mind.

It you are on flat ground . . then weight low in front and low in back is fine. But as soon as you put straight inclines and compound inclines in the picture . . . then leverage outside the axles exists and thats where it gets tense.

We all have different needs . . but one is the key . . . ever night . . bring your tractor and yourself home in one piece. On my steepness of hills . . a front end bucket is only on for a very small amount of time for very specific purposes. Some think I'm a risk taker . . . but I understand I have to have a constant awareness of geometry and gravity.

 

[LarJea]

post a picture of it on your hill when you get a chance

Ok, here is a test picture.

 

[LarJea]

Success! That particular part of the hill is 15 degrees and a little farther up it turns to 20 degrees. which is more than I would transverse sideways.

 

[russellm]

great picture! Really shows the slope well.

 

[LarJea]

great picture! Really shows the slope well.

Thanks for explaining how its done. I still couldn't figure out how to do it though until I read your explanation to Milson1 in the Britney is battle ready thread.

 

[rswyan]

I almost ALWAYS want to pick the item up first and see if it's worth all the monkeying around to go get the ballast (then to put it away). A ballast is useless oherwise, better if you have a heavy implement that you actually USE.

My ballast block weighs around 1200 lbs and is small and compact.

The only other implement that I have that comes close to that it is the backhoe, which weighs in a tad under 900 lbs. It is not small and compact ... and sticks out behind the tractor probably a good 5' to 6' ... and compared to attaching the ballast block (with a Quick Hitch), attaching the 'hoe is a PITA ...

It seems to me, that if I wanted to use my rear wheels (in addition to the front) to compact fill, particularly in close quarters - like say, inside a building (like a barn mebbe) - a ballast block might come in handy

 

[newbury]

A backhoe can be an excellent expensìve weigh to hang off the rear. You have stabilizers to put out to prevent tipping and can even swing the hoe to to the uphill side