Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast!

[Oldoak]

View attachment 556757

Got to love those people. And still smiling too!

Makes a person stop and think how fortunate we all are.

 

[Big Barn]

Got to love those people. And still smiling too!

Makes a person stop and think how fortunate we all are.

Yes, indeed!

 

[kenlip]

Just a quick note to say thanks to all who have responded to my questions. I have taken bits and pieces from various designs and will incorporate them in my design.

It's going to take a while to get this thing made, as I have only occasional weekends to do this kind of work. Once it's completed and I have some feedback to offer, I'll share it all with you guys.

I'll try to remember to take lots of photos of the build process.

Cheers
Ken

 

[TractorNH]

Just a quick note to say thanks to all who have responded to my questions. I have taken bits and pieces from various designs and will incorporate them in my design.

It's going to take a while to get this thing made, as I have only occasional weekends to do this kind of work. Once it's completed and I have some feedback to offer, I'll share it all with you guys.

I'll try to remember to take lots of photos of the build process.

Cheers
Ken

I'd like to thank everyone as well. I am currently in the process of building mine. Have the form built with the 3 point connection inside and steel reinforcement welded in as well. Just need to add some wire mesh for extra reinforcement and start mixing cement. I plan to take pics as well before I fill the form and when it's done and will post.

 

[tinyorange]

Thanks for all the ideas. I just poured 5 bags worth of concrete mix into a 25 gal barrel today, and will post a picture in a week
when it's on the tractor. Guaranteed to make you all feel better about yours, but weight is weight (around 550 lbs.)

 

[WranglerX]

640 lbs. View attachment 550823

What are they, where did you get them....

Dale

 

[SplitHoof]

So here my ballast. I used a 24”x 36” precast concrete trash can that was being discarded at work. Mixed up 12 80lb bags of redimix and use metal on hand for the frame. I used some 4x6 rectangle for the base so I could slide my drawbar through. I wanted to have the weight away from the rear axle to get the most benefit without it sticking out too far. Tried it out today and it has made a world of difference.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

So here my ballast. I used a 24”x 36” precast concrete trash can that was being discarded at work. Mixed up 12 80lb bags of redimix and use metal on hand for the frame. I used some 4x6 rectangle for the base so I could slide my drawbar through. I wanted to have the weight away from the rear axle to get the most benefit without it sticking out too far. Tried it out today and it has made a world of difference. View attachment 569637View attachment 569638

Nice! I'm always amazed how much better the tractor rides with the weight.

Super nice and simple but you might want to consider afixing that drawbar to the square tubing somehow. once that gets bouncing it's going to put a ton of stress on your 3-point linkage. Just something to think about...
:thumbsup:

 

[SplitHoof]

I would guess the total weight is around the 1500lb mark. The 3 point is rated at 6k. I didn’t notice any movement yesterday. I left the window open to observe. I’d be surprised if it bounced. I’m kind of a slow poke around the place! My intent of using the drawbar this was two still be able to use the drawbar for other tasks. Securing it to the ballast would certainly be easy enough if needed though.

I am going to fill the tires soon and I’m curious as to how much stability that will add.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I would guess the total weight is around the 1500lb mark. The 3 point is rated at 6k. I didn’t notice any movement yesterday. I left the window open to observe. I’d be surprised if it bounced. I’m kind of a slow poke around the place! My intent of using the drawbar this was two still be able to use the drawbar for other tasks. Securing it to the ballast would certainly be easy enough if needed though.

I am going to fill the tires soon and I’m curious as to how much stability that will add.

:thumbsup:

 

[Oldoak]

My 2' x 2' x 2', (4 cubic Ft) concrete block, w/2" trailer receiver hitch cast in. (12-13) 80# bags of Sakrete, approximately 1150# with hitch iron in the block.

 

[SplitHoof]

I like the yellow! I may have to color mine up one day. I am toying with the idea of a basket of sorts on top or rack for stuff if you are on a tree trimming/moving mission. Seeing other ideas on here makes a guy a think!

Does anyone know of an excel sheet that has a generic picture of a tractor with a loader and ballast that has spaces to show x,y,z, etc points for dimensions and weights? It would be nice to be able to plug in numbers for your machine and have some formulas setup to determine the fulcrum point based on different weights and distances off the axles.

Surely this exists already?

 

[newbury]

I just today bought a Rigid 16 cubic foot job site box (Home Depot) for the prime purpose of putting it on a pallet and strapping it to my 3pt pallet forks.

I plan on putting as much concrete as I need inside, then storing whatever on top. I figure it will hold up to 26 80 lb bags of concrete. I might put some vertical pipes on the sides to hold long handled tools, like my pole saw.

I was looking at either building my own our buying a used job box but I've been looking for years and $250 for a 16 cubic ft job box is pretty good.

 

[Oldoak]

I like the yellow! I may have to color mine up one day..............................

I painted mine yellow because every year some of my loader works involves being on a secondary public road and I want high viability for my tail other than just a SMV emblem.

$250 for a 16 cubic ft job box is pretty good........................................

I'll say. Some tractor branded ballast boxes are priced higher than that and not near as sturdy. Nice find. But it would have been just a little to large to suit my needs.

 

[SplitHoof]

I painted mine yellow because every year some of my loader works involves being on a secondary public road and I want high viability for my tail other than just a SMV emblem.

I'll say. Some tractor branded ballast boxes are priced higher than that and not near as sturdy. Nice find. But it would have been just a little to large to suit my needs.

Totally understand that. Since you have a receiver hitch there you might could add a light bar for even more visibility. People are way to occupied these days instead of watching the road!!

 

[SplitHoof]

I just today bought a Rigid 16 cubic foot job site box (Home Depot) for the prime purpose of putting it on a pallet and strapping it to my 3pt pallet forks.

I plan on putting as much concrete as I need inside, then storing whatever on top. I figure it will hold up to 26 80 lb bags of concrete. I might put some vertical pipes on the sides to hold long handled tools, like my pole saw.

I was looking at either building my own our buying a used job box but I've been looking for years and $250 for a 16 cubic ft job box is pretty good.

Man I’d hate to fill that with concrete! I understand your point by man I’d hate to fill that with concrete! Lol

Those job boxes are so nice and would make an excellent project box for the tractor for the remote jobs.

 

[DavidL61]

Started my ballast project yesterday. So far I've used scrap that was laying around the house. Plan on putting in 4 PVC tubes, a receiver hitch and maybe some concrete anchor bolts sticking out the sides for hooks. Will probably leave 6" on top for chains or tools.

 

[aeblank]

like mine.....

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-three-point-counterweight-8.html#post4294125

 

[WranglerX]

My 2' x 2' x 2', (4 cubic Ft) concrete block, w/2" trailer receiver hitch cast in. (12-13) 80# bags of Sakrete, approximately 1150# with hitch iron in the block.
View attachment 569668View attachment 569669

About the 4 cubic foot comment.... What to check your math...

Dale

 

[Oldoak]

About the 4 cubic foot comment.... What to check your math...

Dale

Ok, 8 cubic feet. My math was correct when I formed my box, along with the weight. It's just that I typed in the wrong figure (4) in my original comment on this thread. Does that suit you now?