Ballast weight - how high can I go?

[sandman2234]

I don't want to start an argument, read most of the above posts, didn't try to do the math that was presented, but wanted to mention something, just for thought.
Take a Popsicle stick and lay it across a couple of crayons, spaced like the axles on a tractor, leaving a little sticking out on both ends. Now put equal weights on the ends outside of the crayons. If you use equal weights, then neither end lifts up. However, if you add enough weight at both ends, the next problem you are going to have is the wooden stick is going to start bowing upwards in the middle. This bowing effect is very hard on the center section of tractors. Now, the big question is how do you keep the rear wheels on the ground when using the FEL, without stressing the center section of the tractor? My first thought would be to add loaded rear tires, and if that isn't enough, start adding wheel weights. This weight isn't sitting on the tractor causing the bowing effect, and only comes into play when you try to lift if off the ground with the FEL. If loaded tires aren't enough, and weights can't be found, make them. a piece of 1" plate cut into a circle will be a start, a couple of them start adding up. Drill and bolt them to your rear wheels and it won't be load supported by the tractor or the axle bearings. If you still can't handle a full bucket (try not overloading it) then adding some weight to the 3pt hitch will be ok, but realize that that weight is bending the tractor a lot more than wheel weight.
If this doesn't make sense, or someone sees a flaw in my thoughts, by all means please comment for discussion. This is simply an observation and really doesn't have some of the experience behind it that some of the other posters have with tractors. I have seen a lot of tractors broken in the middle from FEL work (and abuse), so the bending effect does have merit.
David from jax

 

[LD1]

Usually on every tractor I have been around, loaded tires and wheels weighs simply aren't even enough to keep the rear end down. The loaders on these machines are just too strong.

You would have to have a massive stack of weights hanging off the rears to be effective. And it still doesn't help with the popsicle effect you mention.

In your example of crayons and popsicle sticks......glue the rear axle (crayon) to the table. And glue the stick to it. This will simulate having enough weight to keep it on the ground. Now push on the front (load the loader) and tell me it doesn't bow in the middle just he same.

 

[oosik]

OK - Bill(case580c) tried the email route again. This time it acted normal.

 

[tomplum]

Usually on every tractor I have been around, loaded tires and wheels weighs simply aren't even enough to keep the rear end down. The loaders on these machines are just too strong.

You would have to have a massive stack of weights hanging off the rears to be effective. And it still doesn't help with the popsicle effect you mention.

In your example of crayons and popsicle sticks......glue the rear axle (crayon) to the table. And glue the stick to it. This will simulate having enough weight to keep it on the ground. Now push on the front (load the loader) and tell me it doesn't bow in the middle just he same.

Just have one of the kids watch for the wife pulling up the driveway!

 

[Fastball]

As the original poster with the question...thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately, a definitive answer seems to be elusive, as there seems to be many schools of thought on the subject.
Simply put...am I wasting my time, or doing my L2900 with FEL capacity of 1000-odd pounds a disservice by attempting to hang a 55 gal drum partially filled with cement off the 3pt hitch?

 

[ovrszd]

The only way you will be in worse shape than you are now is if you add so much ballast that you can't control your steering. Anything less than that will be an improvement over nothing.

 

[oosik]

What ovrszd said PLUS - you could use the FEL - bucket or grapple or etc - without any rear ballast. You would soon find - hopefully, without an accident - that use of the FEL was limited without ballast weight. The teeter-totter effect.

Remember - ballast is just about ANYTHING hanging on or off your 3-point or put into your rear tires or attached to your rear rims. I choose to use any one of my various implements and I have Rimguard in my rear tires. Many do not have heavy implements or for various other reasons choose to use a "a ballast bucket or barrel". It effective, its relatively inexpensive and it definitely allows expanded use of the FEL and provides a definite level of safety.

My recommendation - - Don't leave home without it.

 

[case580c]

oosik, I just sent you a new PM

 

[mike48130]

Just a side comment, I like the weight in the tires. I think the weight on the 3 point puts that load thru the bearings on the axles. I prefer to put it on the tires. Just my 2 cents. I just bought 50 gallons of washer fluid to fill my rears. The only reason I see the weight box being a better option is if you want to drop the load if you take off the loader or use to mow. My loader is always on and my 4410 rears are loaded. If you use a tiller or box blade or rear sow blade you will want the weight on the tires.

 

[Fastball]

The tires ARE loaded on my unit. I’m not overly concerned about counterbalancing the FEL, as I rarely fill up to max caoacity. I just figured another few hundred pounds squatting on the back couldn’t go wrong when I need a titch more traction when trying to yank roots or stumps.