Ballast Class III Ballast help?

[hazmat]

Dad's new TC40 has loaded rear tires, and New Holland Ballast box on three point. (Found a pic of it being delivered).

When I stuff the bucket deep into a dirt pile, I can get the rear end to lift when I try to curl the bucket (dirt doesn't move). The tractor was on a modest hill (dirt pile at bottom of hill).

Not sure how much the ballast box weighs. It is filled with sand - maybe 300-400#. The 16LA manual states that loading the tires is all that is needed.

The tractor seemed well balanced when carrying a bucketfull of dirt.

Recommendations? - Add wheel weights, bigger ballast box? Fill it with Iron, not sand?

What are y'all running for ballast?

 

[jinman]

My rear tires aren't loaded and I don't have a ballast box, but I do have a 500# boxblade that is sufficient in most cases. On uneven ground with a full bucket, I keep the bucket about 4" off the ground.

I lift the rear all the time when I'm digging tree roots, but if you are lifting it when going into a pile of dirt, I think you are doing something wrong. I push into the pile and then curl the bucket. If that doesn't get it, I scrape dirt down from the top and then try again. With the bucket at the bottom of a large pile, you are trying to lift a lot of dirt, probably several thousand pounds. You either have to break the dirt out of the pile or scape it off so it's loose. Your tractor is strong, but it's really easy to take too big a bite. I had to learn what I could and could not do and how to work around it. Just be patient. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hazmat]

<font color="blue">Your tractor is strong, but it's really easy to take too big a bite. I had to learn what I could and could not do and how to work around it. Just be patient </font>

This was a "find the limits" mission. On my little machine, I will kick in the relief valve before lifting a tire. The TC40 would hit the relief when trying to lift the bucket, but would lift the rear when using the curl against the "immovable" object.


I had no problem getting a full scoop out of the pile without tipping the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[kensfarm]

"What are y'all running for ballast?"

Solid Filled Front tires
Liquid Filled Rears
Double Rear Wheel Weights

My balance is good for overall FEL work.. if I'm working w/
driveway stones.. I'll put on my 3pt tiller. If I'm using the bucket spear.. I'll have the 3pt hay forks on w/ a bale on the rear.

 

[noeclark]

more ballast then my tractor for real had to say it lol haven't lifted my rear wheel I think it will split in two before mine lift now

 

[pekabu]

You need to add a 758C bh. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RickB]

Sounds as if you have a pretty stout relief valve in the hyd system!

 

[PineRidge]

A agree with Jim on this topic. I started out with wheel weights and a 3-point weight bar but the majority of the time I just attach my box blade when doing FEL work. Besides I have found that most of the time I'm using one or the other anyway. Go slow at first, you'll quickly learn the system that works best for you and your tractor.