Box Scraper box scraper as ballast

[wkpoor]

I have a JD5400 with 520 loader. The 16.9x30 tires are loaded and with a full break out force the back end stays firmly on the ground. Do the smaller tractors not have large enough tires to hold the required ballast?

 

[Redbug]

I also use railroad iron on my ballast box blade. Railroad track comes in different weights, (weighed by the yard), and the standard size is about 150 pounds per yard. Pretty dense stuff. I use a 6 foot piece, (300 pounds) on my 6 foot box blade. The box blade weighs around 500 pounds...making for a total weight of around 800 pounds. It makes a difference. I did some additional welding to the supports, (since it probably was not designed for too much more weight), and added angle iron to make a tray of sorts to keep the rail from bouncing off. You can bust a gut manhandling that stuff, and it's a good way to get hurt bad if it falls or rolls over on a foot, etc.

 

[kwolfe]

Redbug,
That looks like a great idea. Where did you get the rail? I would like to get some for my BB as well as using some a ballast.

 

[schmism]

my local scrap hard has piles and piles of railroad rail.

 

[Redbug]

Hi Kwolfe,
I have some railroad tracks that run nearby, and a rail crew was replacing some rail a couple years ago. I asked the foreman for a couple pieces of rail that were laying off to the side. He told me to go ahead and get them. All the rail crews I have ever talked with are really a bunch of nice fellows, and are willing to help if you approach them in a friendly way. Schmism is right, I also have seen rail at the scrap yard outside of town and that would be the next best place to get some pieces. They would probably even cut it to length for you.

 

[wushaw]

A friend of mine has a Cab L4330 with the 853 loader and HD bucket and he has the Kubota wheel weights and carries his Cammond BB that weighs a little under 1200lbs and I have watched his rear tires spin like crazy with a loaded bucket just like he does not have enough rear weight.
I know he has alot of weight and I have told him he needs more.

I would suggest since you already have filled tires is to put at least 2000lbs on the 3pt (it's rated for 2760) that would help.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I traded my Kubota B7800 for the Kubota Grand L4330 with an LA853 loader.

In my Kubota loader manual it suggests I need BOTH a 3pt weight AND wheel weights. It give specific amounts of weight needed. In my New Holland manual it also gives very specific weights needed, and where they are needed and states BOTH wheel + 3pt ballast is necessary.

I would suggest you refer to your owners manuals to determine exactly what you need, it has your answer.

 

[BTDT]

Hi Kwolfe,
I have some railroad tracks that run nearby, and a rail crew was replacing some rail a couple years ago. I asked the foreman for a couple pieces of rail that were laying off to the side. He told me to go ahead and get them. All the rail crews I have ever talked with are really a bunch of nice fellows, and are willing to help if you approach them in a friendly way. Schmism is right, I also have seen rail at the scrap yard outside of town and that would be the next best place to get some pieces. They would probably even cut it to length for you.

In these Post 911 days, I don't know that I would want to be out messing around trying to load railroad iron off the side of a track somewhere. Might draw some attention you can't shake.

 

[Glowplug]

Are you looking for just ballast or do you need a box blade that will double as ballast?
If you need just ballast I would consider getting a cheap ($120) carryall, welding sides on it to make a box, then fill it with lead shot.
If you want a box blade to double as a ballast be sure to get an industrial heavy-duty one. Some high quality heavy box blades are made by Gannon, Gearmore, and Cammond.

I am wanting to get a Cammond 4C5-84. That's a 7-foot box blade that weighs 1410#!!