Homemade Front or Rear Ballast Box

[GPintheMitten]

I had to revisit my thread today to refresh my memory. I sold my old tractor that this was built for. A few days ago another forum member from Michigan saw this thread and was interested. We made a deal and now he has it for front ballast for his B6200 with a rear snow blower. Im glad we could "recycle" it.

 

[ryanmad2000]

I needed a fast way to create some front ballast for my BX2360 as I bought a very heavy rear aerator from EverythingAttachments - thing is awesome and weighs over 600 pounds. I didn't have access to welding nor did I want to spend the money for something I will use two or three times per year. So I built a front tray and used angle iron underneath to fasten it to the front frame. I will x-it on firmly with some bungee cords. I will paint it Kubota orange and I ordered orange pillow cases for the 80 pound bag of quickcrete ($6.00 instead of a buck per pound!). Another possible solution for lighter duty guys with big yards.............

 

[aeblank]

Here is what I designed, and will build this spring. Uses a removable draw bar, just in case I ever need one. It is quick hitch compatible. Had a trailer hitch receiver and tow hooks. I will put pockets in the concrete to put a chainsaw and misc. other stuff. I think it calc's out at like 1200 lbs.

 

[LD1]

Here is what I designed, and will build this spring. Uses a removable draw bar, just in case I ever need one. It is quick hitch compatible. Had a trailer hitch receiver and tow hooks. I will put pockets in the concrete to put a chainsaw and misc. other stuff. I think it calc's out at like 1200 lbs.

View attachment 406022

I hope there is actual framework inside the barrel and not just welding the stuff to the outside of the barrel.

 

[aeblank]

I hope there is actual framework inside the barrel and not just welding the stuff to the outside of the barrel.

What, isn't concrete strong? :laughing:
Yeah, there certainly will be (it isn't built yet.....spring hopefully)

 

[LD1]

What, isn't concrete strong? :laughing:
Yeah, there certainly will be (it isn't built yet.....spring hopefully)

The concrete is strong. THe barrel...not so much. Surface welding a few tabs to the barrel and then loading with 1200# of concrete.....they would tear right off

 

[aeblank]

The concrete isn't strong enough to hold itself together either. My dad had one that broke in the middle, because it didn't have rebar in it.

 

[LD1]

For those of you who don't want to weld or cast concrete check out my PaverWeights.

www.PaverWeights.com

You buy the PaverWeight frame online then purchase the 12" square pavers locally. No sense paying to ship the weight, right? And, they are half the price of cast iron.

novel idea, but dont see how that is half the price?

39# of weight.....

$25 for bracket
$10 to ship bracket
plus money for pavers

Talking a buck or a little more a pound. Thats the same price cast iron is. And can often times find used cast iron for under a buck a pound

 

[StevenChalmers]

LD1,

Most of the cast iron weights I see are roughly $2 per pound with shipping ( flat rate of $9.95 for any quantity ).

Here are the calcs for 78 pounds of PaverWeights:

( 2 x $24.95 ) + $9.95 + ( 4 x $1.62 ) = $66.33 / 78 lbs = $0.85 per pound.

Also, a key feature of PaverWeights is the ability to hook on box scrapers with a reward facing horizontal lip on the back panel. No cast iron suitcase weights can hang there.


Steven

 

[LD1]

5014-Suitcase weights set of 10 weights weighing 1020 lbs 91 cents a pound....free shipping.

Weight | John Deere 240,250,260,270,280,317,320,325,328,332,650,990,1050,1250,2720,3120,3203,3320,3520,3720,4005,4105,4120,4210,4310,4320,4410,4475,4510,4520,4610,4710,4720,5575,6675,7775,8875 | R66949 41# for $45...... $1.10/# $12.95 shipping for 1 weight or 10.


May more out there for similar $/# new.

And can find them used for less.

Not saying some brackets to mount pavers dont have its place. But the claim of half price, and $2/lb for cast iron.....is unfounded.

Nothing steers me away from a purchase than false information. I see it all the time on c-list and ebay. Someone selling something, weather new or used, and "claim" it cost $xx new....or they "claim" they paid $xx for it trying to give the impression that you are getting a good deal. Many times, these claims are pretty accurate. Sometimes they are just absurd. Hoping someone isnt gonna do their homework and find out what things are really worth, or what they really cost new.