Curious about ballast attachments...

[/pine]

Been seeing a lot of posts in regard to rear ballast attachments...I can understand the need if the operator does not have any other 3ph attachments or only very light or very wide attachments etc...and does a lot of heavy FEL work...

But it just does not make much sense to me to bother having something that actually does nothing but supply counter balance for FEL work...Why not use whatever implement (box blade, rear blade, tiller etc., etc..) that will be used for the next chore?...

Just curious...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Been seeing a lot of posts in regard to rear ballast attachments...I can understand the need if the operator does not have any other 3ph attachments or only very light or very wide attachments etc...and does a lot of heavy FEL work...

But it just does not make much sense to me to bother having something that actually does nothing but supply counter balance for FEL work...Why not use whatever implement (box blade, rear blade, tiller etc., etc..) that will be used for the next chore?...

Just curious...

You must be fortunate enough to have a lot of space to work to regularly use a box blade or rotary cutter as ballast for loader work. Unfortunately, I am not so fortunate and need something more compact for maneuverability. :confused3:

Also, many of us with purpose-built ballast have incorporated a carryall function into them which I find very valuable. :2cents:.

 

[/pine]

You must be fortunate enough to have a lot of space to work to regularly use a box blade or rotary cutter as ballast for loader work. Unfortunately, I am not so fortunate and need something more compact for maneuverability. :confused3:

Also, many of us with purpose-built ballast have incorporated a carryall function into them which I find very valuable. :2cents:.

Actually I use my carry all for ballast if I'm going to need it for other work...

 

[ctrider]

My JD 2320 recommends 772lbs of ballast with loaded rear tires for FEL work. Many of the rear attachments aren't heavy enough. I'd rather have the ballast on there when I'm doing work because it's easy for me to get carried away with what I'm doing. I want to prevent damage to the front axle, which is a common problem with little or no ballast. I put 4x8x16 concrete blocks in my ballast box, then 8 of the JD suitcase weights on top. With the box weighing 150 lbs, I have about 800 lbs of ballast.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Same as me, a lot of weight in a small compact package.

 

[aczlan]

I made the ballast barrel that I use when snow blowing (picture below) because the tractor with a snow blower on front is already plenty long enough and none of the implements are heavy enough to add the weight that would be needed in the back without it. Mine cost me $0.25 a pound for the steel in it plus the concrete which is what was left in the truck after they finished pouring the slab.

Aaron Z

 

[Oldoak]

Same as me, a lot of weight in a small compact package.

:thumbsup:

Plus my heaviest piece of 3Pt equipment is my LandPride RTA2562 rototiller, which I always clean up after using and store for until needed again. Don't want it or any other equipment possibly damaged while using the F.E.L. and backing up.

 

[Oldoak]

Deleted double post.

 

[California]

I need something more compact for maneuverability.

Here's what I worked up for the small (1800 lb) Yanmar when I had a project in tight space.

I needed to backfill after using a DitchWitch through a jumble of decorative trees and didn't want to disrupt a wider area than necessary.

I had two more weight discs available but this was sufficient.

It has become my standard ballast arrangement when there isn't already an implement on there. It's easy to mount because I store the discs upright leaning against a tree. Chain up / lift / go.

And the thread where I first posted that, with links to more pictures.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Me reasoning is weight. I made a 1700lb concrete weight that was way more compact than the mx10 brushog. I don't get to worried if I bump something with it but I can turn as sharply as i want in the building and never smack the wall since the ballast is well inside the tires. YMMV.