Ballast bx23 ballast weight

[Volfandt]

also plan to have 2 sets of tires, ill get some turf ones later after most of my yard work is done, and will probably leave those unfilled, but i think r4's would be the tire of choice for me.

I think everybody thinks about this at first. I know I did. Funny thing is that most end up not buying an additional set of wheels/tires and the few that do never swap them around and end up trying to sell them At least thats what I've seen here oin TBN
R4's are a good compromise between the R1's and turfs. But with 4WD even turfs can work in the dirt well too.
I went with R1's and when the day ever comes that they need replacement I'll probably go with turfs as my machine does more mowing than anything else.

you guys also say that i could be lugging around extra weight when i dont need it with filled tires..... will or could it have any effect on machine wear? such as premature wear on bearings and hubs?

Lugging around extra weight huh Well one thing that tractors do well is lug around extra weight and in some cases the additonal weight is benefitial for digging and FEL work. Best way to improve traction and counter balance the FEL is either with wheel weights and/or filling the tires. Farmers been doing it since theres been rubber tires to fill
Filled tires/wheel weights do not put anymore load on the tractors bearings axles etc. The weight is transfered almost directly to the ground where it's needed without having to go through the tractors lift arms, frame etc like an implement or weightbox does. But then again, a tractor is designed to carry weight on the 3PH and lug it around

If one is going to have an implement on their 3PH most all the time then that implement and/or a weightbox should be fine as the FEL counter balance.
If one doesn't plan on having an implement mounted on the 3PH most of the time then filled tires would be what I'd recommend.

Good luck

 

[Fjord]

also does anyone have a link of some pics of ballast boxes they have built or seen built. id be interested in seeing some of the better pre made ones too.

Here is the Kubota ballast box. I don't know if it is one of the "better pre made ones" but it works for me.I keep about 500 pounds in it for my B7800.

 

[m7040]

Here is an example of how to add weight the easy way. It is filled with crushed rock sand and weighs more that 2000 lbs. Really works great when doing heavy FEL work with the 4-in-one-bucket

 

[BUSTMUP]

In 2003 I purchased a BX2200 and didn't get the rear tires filled. Many times I accidentally lifted the rear end with the loader full of dirt or gravel. In 2006 I traded for a BX23 and this time I got the rear tires filled. Most of the time my BH is off, so I rely on the ballast in the rear tires. What a huge difference, glad I decided to have the rear tires filled. Hasn't damaged my lawn either...

 

[LBrown59]

(quote)1*Tires shouldn't be filled over 75%. (/quote)
FYI. 3/4 fill = 75% fill.
(quote]2*But with filled tires you are always lugging the extra weight around even when it's not needed. ( /quote)
(quote) 3*So do I cause I never take it off, therefore I don't need filled tires.
(/quote)
LMAO, you're telling me that the extra 230lbs that I'm carrying around in my filled tires is unnecessary and yet you claim to ALWAYS carry your BH around which is an additional 700lbs that IS UNNECESSARY when mowing. Now which is harder on the turf.....
(quote)4*Only 226 hours-you don't use yours much do you? I have 775 hours on mine. (/quote)
I use it when needed. I don't get much seat time during the winter. We don;t get much snow down here but plenty of rain....
***************
1* YEP YER Dealer did it rite.
2* & 3* What I'm saying is since I have the BH on I don't need an extra 230lbs in the tires in addition to the weight of the BH.
4*I haven't done much seat time this winter do to the weather and no snow for snow removal chores.
Last winter was different due to so many 50 to 70 degree days with no rain. Thanks to those Perfect weather conditions I got .60 of an acre grubbed
One Reason I have so many hours on my bx23 is I had about 25 years worth of work back logged and waiting on the BX when I got it.

 

[LBrown59]

1* I plan to have 2 sets of tires, ill get some turf ones later after most of my yard work is done, and will probably leave those unfilled.
2*i think r4's would be the tire of choice for me.


how much does a landscape rake weight? is it enough for rear ballast?

i also plan to have 2 sets of tires, ill get some turf ones later after most of my yard work is done, and will probably leave those unfilled, but i think r4's would be the tire of choice for me.

also does anyone have a link of some pics of ballast boxes they have built or seen built. id be interested in seeing some of the better pre made ones too.

you guys also say that i could be lugging around extra weight when i dont need it with filled tires..... will or could it have any effect on machine wear? such as premature wear on bearings and hubs?

1* And you'll probably end up with a pile of money in wheels and tires you will never use.
2*R4s combine the worst features of both Turf and AGs and ya have racing slicks in mud with them.
Solve both problems with AGs and forget all the hassles with the others.

The only reason I see for an extra wheel and tire is as a spare in case of a flat.

 

[BlackforestBill]

I say both fill the tires and get some ballast. I've had a BX2200 since 2001 with the old bar tires, FEL and a back blade on most of the time.

Before filling my tires I had issues filling the bucket in a pile of loose dirt, or spinning the rears on the snow and ice in the winter. I added 5 gals of washer fluid in each tire several years ago. Did it myself with a small hand pump and a slick little adapter from NAPA that goes on the valve stem. Man what a difference. No more spinning when I hit the dirt pile. Solid on the snow and ice. Plus it does help keep the rear end on the ground most of the time.

If you're planning on some serious FEL work then you need something on the back to help the fluid in the tires. 10 gals of washer fluid doesn't weigh enough, about 80 lbs or so. It helps with the traction but to keep the wheels down you need real weight. For me the BB helps enough. It adds another 150 lbs or so well back of the tractor so that adds to it. But then I'm not doing that much serious FEL work any more. YMMV.

 

[OlyRick]

Here is a pic of my ballast I built for my bx1500. It works great and doesn't stick out too far. I always seem to be working in real tight places and it's nice not to worry about hitting something. I think total cost was maybe $20 including paint.