Ballast How to add Ballast with 3pt in use?

[MossflowerWoods]

Guys,

I hope this is not a typical n00b st00pid question...

NOTE: - My rear tires are already loaded.

The logical configuration for my tractor almost ALL of the time is stump-grinder on the 3-pt, and Grapple on the FEL.

So the other day I learned for sure the 3pt is not enough ballast, I was knocking dirt off a pine stump and bouncing the rear wheels.

So... How can I add more ballast when the 3pt is in use?

Wheel weights? (Does Kioti make them?)
Quick Hitch?

Thanks in advance,
HAPPY 2012!

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

On top of this, please note that right now I am also having issues with bogging down in the mud already.

LstInThot's smaller Bobcat was more effective than my tractor because his actually floated better on my mud bog area than mine did (both had loaded R4's btw).

Thanks again.
David

 

[JB4310]

Wheel weights can be made for any wheel.

Or you would have to find some way to add weight to the rear implement.
That's definitely not going to help with the bogging down issue though.

You brought up the QH idea, at first I was going to say, how could that help.
But I guess you could add weight there as well, I added storage boxes to the side of mine.

JB

 

[rimshot]

When I start the least bit of slippage I throw the lever and kick the front wheels in drive. Are you using 4WD? And how about your differential slip control. Together they should practically get you out in nearly all kind of stuff.

Some guys have made up weight boxes to be lifted by the 3PH. Just fill them with broken blocks or rocks. Every little bit helps.

rim

 

[gwdixon]

Your FEL has a great deal of leverage and will be enough to bounce the tractor no matter what you put on for reasonable ballast.

The question is, can the FEL cause the tractor to tilt forward enough to raise the rear wheels off of the ground. You might try lifting a large stump that is too large to actually lift. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN TRYING THIS!!! and stop as soon as the rears lift even an inch off of the ground.

If the FEL hydraulics stall and stop lifting then you have enough ballast. If the rear wheels come off of the ground then more ballast is needed.

Wheel weights can be made or adapted from other tractors if needed. Make sure the tires are fully filled (to the air valve when it is at the top of the tire).

The stump grinders that I have seen look like they weight quite a bit and stick out behind the tractor so as to give additional leverage. It should be enough.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Wheel weights can be made for any wheel.

Or you would have to find some way to add weight to the rear implement.
That's definitely not going to help with the bogging down issue though.

You brought up the QH idea, at first I was going to say, how could that help.
But I guess you could add weight there as well, I added storage boxes to the side of mine.

JB

JB,

Yes the QH suggestion was to add another 100+/- lbs to the 3pt. Good to know about wheel weights can be modded to fit...

Are you using 4WD? And how about your differential slip control. Together they should practically get you out in nearly all kind of stuff.

Some guys have made up weight boxes to be lifted by the 3PH. Just fill them with broken blocks or rocks. Every little bit helps.

rim

RimShot,

I use 4wd when rears slip, and diff lock when needed. I have not been stuck yet.

I am aware of and I do want a ballast box (plus tools), but not when I'm running the stump grinder. I am concerned I need MORE weight/ballast when the 3pt is in use with something like PHD or stump grinder, or ???

Your FEL has a great deal of leverage and will be enough to bounce the tractor no matter what you put on for reasonable ballast.

If the FEL hydraulics stall and stop lifting then you have enough ballast. If the rear wheels come off of the ground then more ballast is needed.

Make sure the tires are fully filled (to the air valve when it is at the top of the tire).

The stump grinders that I have seen look like they weight quite a bit and stick out behind the tractor so as to give additional leverage. It should be enough.

GWDixon,

Pics enclosed. TSG-50 only weighs 545 lbs. Tires are fully filled by my dealer. I have yet to fail to lift anything I have tried to lift. I have not tried to lift an immovable object. One time I lifted two 30-40' green pine logs (recently fallen, tops and root balls removed) and the rear felt VERY light and low traction.

I was not aware you can "bounce" the tractor just with the FEL even if you are not near load capacity. Seems logical though...

Thanks to you all!
Be well,
David

 

[JB4310]

JB,

Yes the QH suggestion was to add another 100+/- lbs to the 3pt. Good to know about wheel weights can be modded to fit...




RimShot,

I use 4wd when rears slip, and diff lock when needed. I have not been stuck yet.

I am aware of and I do want a ballast box (plus tools), but not when I'm running the stump grinder. I am concerned I need MORE weight/ballast when the 3pt is in use with something like PHD or stump grinder, or ???



GWDixon,

Pics enclosed. TSG-50 only weighs 545 lbs. Tires are fully filled by my dealer. I have yet to fail to lift anything I have tried to lift. I have not tried to lift an immovable object. One time I lifted two 30-40' green pine logs (recently fallen, tops and root balls removed) and the rear felt VERY light and low traction.

I was not aware you can "bounce" the tractor just with the FEL even if you are not near load capacity. Seems logical though...

Thanks to you all!
Be well,
David

The QH will move the load rearward also, making it a little 'heavier".

But looking at your picture, the stump grinder is not enough ballast for your tractors FEL's capacity. You need considerably more. Rear tires should not be bouncing before the loader hits relief.

JB

 

[jenkinsph]

david,
You can bounce a tractor with the fel even with a backhoe on the rear. Try to limit things that stress the machine where possible.

You mentioned the mud, it has been my experience that you need to know when to keep the equipment parked or stay out of bog areas. We all like to get on the tractors but sometimes you can do more harm than good.

 

[Short Game]

A warning David: any time that you are applying enough lift on the loader to lift the rear wheels, DO NOT attempt to move the tractor/load. I was lifting a log that had buried branches that were unknowingly anchoring it. When I tried to back the load out, the rears lifted and the front drive exploded. In a split second, I broke a bunch of gears, bent both axle shafts, and even damaged some ball bearings. It was an expensive lesson in my tractor OJT. Doing my own labor, it cost me $2000.

When the rears come off the ground, that smaller front drive is doing all the effort. Compare the size differences between the front and rear axles and think what you are asking of that front drive when the rear drive leaves the ground.

 

[RoyJackson]

Couple things you could do:

1) Rig your ballast box to the 3PH and do all the loader work in one time frame, then return to the barn (or where ever you keep your implements) and rig the stump grinder to do that work.
2) Rig the ballast box to the 3PH and carry the stump grinder in the bucket or grapple, then swap out at the work site. I'm sure this would be a PITA to rig those implements while on uneven ground though.

So, I suggest you stick with suggestion 1 and plan your work accordingly.