Ballast How many bags of cement to fill ballast box?

[Gobblin Tom]

That's what I did......

I saw a post on here somewhere that they added some electrical conduit to the outside of the box. I really liked the idea of being able to carry some hand tool with you!! Either way would work really good and I really like the chainsaw idea!!

 

[sunnyside360]

I might just go with the sand for now in mine??

That's what I did (a month ago). Took nine 50 lbs bags of sand but I put two 2" x 24" pipe sections at the rear corners and only filled the box about 2" down from top. The sand has since settled some so I could add more sand. Mine should be around 550 lbs of weight at present (with box weight added).

 

[Duffster]

93Mustang,from what I've read from posters before in other threads,it won't add anymore weight when mixed.When it's cured, a bag will still be around 94 lbs.

Greg

Where does the weight of the water go?

 

[glc24]

Where does the weight of the water go?

Duffster, I would guess it (water) evaporates.

Greg

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Duffster, I would guess it (water) evaporates.

Greg

I can't believe that we haven't had some kind of cement / expert on here that could fill in the gaps.....

 

[k0ua]

I am no expert, but I have done some reading, the water stays in there as a hydrate, that forms from the chemical reaction that occurs.

James K0UA

 

[Mechanos]

I am no expert, but I have done some reading, the water stays in there as a hydrate, that forms from the chemical reaction that occurs.

James K0UA

Correct. Concrete does not dry.... it cures. As James stated, it is a chemical reaction that causes the concrete to harden. If you've ever mixed a batch of concrete from a bag of Sackcrete, you'll recall that it takes a surprisingly little amount of water to reach the right consistancy. Therefore, the amount of weight added from the water is small compared to the weight of the dry concrete mix.

 

[Duffster]

the water stays in there as a hydrate, that forms from the chemical reaction that occurs.

Bingo.

You will lose some to evaporation but very little.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Bingo.

You will lose some to evaporation but very little.

So does an 80# bag of concrete mixed with water weigh 94# once it is dry??? You would think it would have to add some kind of extra weight to it???

 

[jenkinsph]

A couple of things,
80# sackcrete is about 2/3 of a cubic ft per bag
You need about 1 1/4 gallons of water per bag

If you want to add concentrated weight in the box and have some room left over for chains and tools consider using Bayrite weight material, this stuff weighs about 36lbs/gallon. Available in 100 lb. sacks that are much smaller than sackkrete.