leaving ballast box on?

[512high]

Greetings from N.H., so far you all have answered my questions, i have another....I just purchased a ballast box for my 06', L-4330 tractor. This rig is just used for snow removal, it is stored inside etc. When i have my ballast box loaded, and raised and locked, can i always leave it in the "RAISED" POSITION? or will this hurt the tractor and hydrulics always being up? weight will be about 600lbs, one local said it wont hurt at all.

I would rather hear it from you pros, no other attachments for this rig etc.

Philip

 

[PHILIP8N]

I don't think you have to, but I would. Take the strain off the mechanical and hydrailic components. Eventually, it will leak down, and that way you will know where it will settle. I have young kids around that are always playing on my tractors, so I always lower my FEL and rear implements to be safe. I don't want to see a young one crushed by a ballest box or other implement when one is playing on tractor and another is around. I can't tell you how many times I've cussed because as soon as I started tractor it went immediatly to full throttle! They know how to make it go fast. Philip.

 

[kuboman]

I think I have to agree with the previous post. I always lower any implement just as a matter of principal and that being it cannot lower unexpectedly if it is already on the ground. I doubt it will hurt anything to stay raised but I must ask "why"?

 

[RoyJackson]

I also leave my ballast box on all winter (in a garage) and it's lowered. For me, mostly a safety issue. That's a lot of weight to drop if something broke or the rockshaft lever was inadvertently moved.

BTW, I always lower it on a couple pieces of 2x4. A little airspace under the box might reduce rust.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much in agreement with everyone else, it won't hurt anything. I grew up farming and out of habit lower all equipment when I park.

I also admit that while my manuals say to lock in the raised position, I never have.

 

[tratliff]

I agree with the others on the safety factors involved. Better to be safe than sorry. These attachments weigh so much and can cause significant damage/injury.

In 2007 I got my first tractor. Had no experience. A good friend of mine tried to get me up to speed on the do's and don'ts. Rule #1 was always lower all attachments before leaving the drivers seat. Rule #2 was use the emergency brake. Rule #3 was look, then look again, and look one more time.

I have found that I am very cautious on the tractor and that reduces my efficiency but time is on my side. I don't use my tractor for income so it may take me longer but if I don't get it done today there is always tomorrow.

 

[CurtisG]

Greetings from N.H., so far you all have answered my questions, i have another....I just purchased a ballast box for my 06', L-4330 tractor.
Philip

Hi Philip, I was wondering where you purchased your ballast box because while speaking to my dealers service dept., I asked about a ballast box, and he didn't know what I was talking about. Did you find yours at your Kubota dealer or somewhere else? As the others have said I would let mine rest on the floor to relieve the hydraulics.

Thanks,
Curt

 

[Deere Dude]

I agree with the others on the safety factors involved. Better to be safe than sorry. These attachments weigh so much and can cause significant damage/injury.

In 2007 I got my first tractor. Had no experience. A good friend of mine tried to get me up to speed on the do's and don'ts. Rule #1 was always lower all attachments before leaving the drivers seat. Rule #2 was use the emergency brake. Rule #3 was look, then look again, and look one more time.

I have found that I am very cautious on the tractor and that reduces my efficiency but time is on my side. I don't use my tractor for income so it may take me longer but if I don't get it done today there is always tomorrow.

Last fall I was cutting up a huge oak tree and I always put my saws near another tree out of the way so I don't accidentally hit them. I was using my FEL with a 1500# weight box and it was working great. I had to get off the tractor to move a little brush and when I went to get on the tractor I glanced at the rear and my good 026 Stihl was directly under the weight box. I saw it before I would have crushed it, but now I am a little more careful how and here I park the box. I just thought it was funny :laughing::laughing:

 

[PHILIP8N]

I purchased mine from the Kubota dealer. You can see in my signature that it is an L8170. Philip.

 

[PoorMansCat]

I built one out of an old home made safe. I just threw some old hardened up concrete bags in it along with a broken bird bath and a few iron ore rocks that were laying around... Works great.. Really give me some stability when moving big hay bales around.
ALWAYS lower implements. As others have said, the damage and injury that can be done by an implement being inadvertently lowered.... well, it could leave you wishing you had taken the time to lower it to begin with.