Front ballast needed?

[arsenix2001]

I have l3540 htsc that in spring i will be running a 72 inch core aerator that weighs 565 lbs plus i may add a couple hundred lbs of weight on that. I want to run without the loader as I have to go up down and across slopes. Do you think I will need suitcase weights for the front?

 

[Thomas]

It wouldn't hurt,more so if ground becomes damps..traction..holes,rocks.logs you never know plus tilt factor.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I have l3540 htsc that in spring i will be running a 72 inch core aerator that weighs 565 lbs plus i may add a couple hundred lbs of weight on that. I want to run without the loader as I have to go up down and across slopes. Do you think I will need suitcase weights for the front?

Seven or 8 hundred lbs is not a great deal of wieght to be putting on a 3 pt. hitch of an L3540. Especially since when you are using it, most of the time the weight will be on the ground and not up in the air. If it were me, I would try it first to see how it handles it. If you need to add suitcase weights you can always do that later.

 

[TripleR]

I pull a Land Pride RCR2672 which weighs about 1100 pounds on my L5030 HSTC often without the FEL and the only time it gets a little light is on inclines.

Your tractor "might" be OK without front weights, but my inclination would be to put some on.

 

[arsenix2001]

I agree with all here, i think im on the fence. I came up with the idea to take her out with the loader off and run my kubota ballast box (filled with sand weighs close to 1000lbs) and drive around to see what happens, im guessing if it can handle that then the PL72 should be no problem.

 

[TripleR]

I agree with all here, i think im on the fence. I came up with the idea to take her out with the loader off and run my kubota ballast box (filled with sand weighs close to 1000lbs) and drive around to see what happens, im guessing if it can handle that then the PL72 should be no problem.

Just be careful, Nebraskasparks has a thread on the safety forum on how quickly you can flip a tractor and it is quick. Mine seemed fine until I mowed up a levy and when I topped it the front tires were just floating, so that was enough for me; won't do that again.

I have absolutely no problems on sidehills or even gently or not so gently sloped areas, but levies and such