Ballast Free Ballast box cost me $280 :)

[BloomingtonMike]

I tbn member was very gracious to give me a JD ballast box. I started using it and love it except one thing. Attaching it to the tractor. The JD ballast box was awesomly given to me by Jcmseven. He rocks.

Solution - Quick hitch. I was sold on the Speeco except the only place around that sells them is TSC. My TSC did not have one so I drove 40 miles to a place that had one. When I got there it had been left in the rain along time and the left handle spring was shot and would not return the catch when the handle was lowered. Grr. I left it in the rain.

On the way home I stopped at my JD dealer. I told him to match the price of the Speeco and I would buy green. He did it - but not with a set of bushings. Cat 1 Imatch and two sets of bushings and a new winter JD hat in black (matches black carhartts I am getting for christmas) cost me $280. That was 10% off my order. Pretty nice.

Also I stopped by HF on the way to TSC - bought some casters to mount to the ballast box. This thing will be a cinch when I get done.

 

[harryball]

Grats on the box.

My imatch just hook up like regular 3PH equipment. Then I modify using anything from bolts to torches to a welder to make my existing equipment fit.

For a ballest box I found an old worn out 2 disc plow with the concrete block on front. Got it free to carry it off. Cut the blades off, welded a stand and instant ballast box. It weighs 400 lbs.

Harry

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Got excited typing up the post so I went out tonight and installed it. Awesome.

JD is pricey but the parts sure are nice. Those $30 bushings are even super nice and HD looking. I think they have me wooed with their products. Tomorrow I will consider the caster installation.

Now to check out the TSC carryall and make sure it fits just fine.

I am taking a welding class next semester (at 30ysld??) to learn to weld. Fabrication soon won't be a problem either.

 

[755inNY]

<font color="blue"> Also I stopped by HF on the way to TSC - bought some casters to mount to the ballast box. </font>

Are you going to mount them directly to the box? They might get damaged.

I recommend you mount them to a dolly and set the box on it when removed. I have my box sitting on a $15 (on sale), 1000lb moving dolly from HF. Admittedly the caster are a little small for the job. It moves easy except when you need the wheels to swivel to change direction. But it is still not bad. It does make hooking up to the tractor a breeze. I keep only about 350 - 400 pounds in the box.

HF Dolly

Jeff

 

[BloomingtonMike]

You know I had a similar idea today. I tried a Homier mobile base made for power tools but it is not big enough (cheap junk like HF I know but I can't beat $15 for a mobile base). I will slap up a dolly for this made to size. GREAT IDEA!!! Your was the missing link.

 

[3720_Owner]

<font color="blue"> I am taking a welding class next semester (at 30ysld??) to learn to weld. Fabrication soon won't be a problem either. </font>

I decided to do the same thing. I have been lurking on the boards reading all the cool stuff people make for their "pride-n-joy". Checked with the local community college and they offer classes in the fall and spring. Rats! missed the fall class but just waiting till they open up the registration for spring.

Some of us are real new to tractors. Please post pics if you get time so we see how things go together and have a better chance of stealing (reutilizing) your ideas.

Now to act really dumb - what is HF. I know what TSC is but not HF. Good place to acquire junk? Errr... I mean valuable items to fabricate important tractor accessories???

Steven

 

[kennyd]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I am taking a welding class next semester (at 30ysld??) to learn to weld. Fabrication soon won't be a problem either. </font>
Now to act really dumb - what is HF. I know what TSC is but not HF. Good place to acquire junk? Errr... I mean valuable items to fabricate important tractor accessories???

Steven
)</font>

HF= Harbor Freight

 

[3720_Owner]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( HF= Harbor Freight )</font>

Of course. Thank you.

So I was close - a high quality establishment to buy important tractor accessories and fabrication tools. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Steven

 

[Marlowe]

Kind of reminds me of when a buddy of mine gave me a swimming pool. It was an above ground twenty eight foot round model. The only catch was I had to take it down and remove it from his back yard. I told him no thanks. He called my wife. That's playing dirty.

The wife decided it was a great idea to have a pool for the kids. What it turned out to be was a tremendous expense for me and another part time job.

But then again, if someone would give me something for my tractor........

 

[mhalla]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( HF. Good place to acquire junk)</font>

<font color="green">An interesting chance combination of words as found in an earlier post in this thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mike </font>