Ballast NEw 3320 coming - need rear ballast.

[BloomingtonMike]

I have a JD 3320 coming. Right now I do not have a JD balast coming. Tractor will have the 300X and a 72" MMM. I know I need ballast. I have a rear blade and a rear rake I can use. Should I just get the JD rear ballast or should I wait till I can afford a BB? Will I need one for snow removal? I will not be using it for heavy dirt moving until I have a ballast.

 

[beenthere]

The iMatch and the rear ballast box is a real neat, concise package (IMO) that isn't as likely to be in the way of moving around to smash into things like a rear blade or BB. Without the iMatch, the ballast box can be a bit cumbersome to hook to the 3pt. The iMatch makes it a 'few second' deal, and provides the safety for the 'one time' you have something heavy and lifted, not realizing the rear end is coming off the ground. It's when going down hill slightly and at an angle that is deceptive that it is happening, until it is too late to correct.
ALMOST beenthere /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[browns40]

Hi Mike,

I went for BB--500+ #'s, not too big, & multi-purpose. Ballast box will only be a box, with a little storage area at best.

Look at getting a used one if cost-prohibitive for you--as long as its a straight & solid design, you san get new blades, scarifiers, & add weight pretty easy if needed.

Have fun! 3320 is great machine!

 

[kennyd]

I to recommend the I-Match with the Ballast Box, It is compact, and a breeze to hook up. I my experience, the rear blade or rake will not be enough weight. As for snow, the weight will help with traction, and a load of wet snow is pretty heavy.

Just my opinion...Worth what you paid for it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[steveinmo]

Mike,

When I bought my 3320 w/ 300CX FEL (no ballast box) and had the "best" price from my dealer, I told him to throw in the ballast and we had a deal. Naturally he agreed.

If I remember correctly the price of the ballast box was around $150-175. Not a whole lot of money. The ballast box isn't really good for too much other than ballast. Yeah, you can use it to carry stuff but it really isn't very big. You might consider a cheap "carry all" instead. You can pick one up at TSC for about $100. You can use the carry all for a number of things including adding heavy "junk" for ballast.

Just a suggestion.

Steve

 

[tarious]

Mike,

I have a 3320 with a 6 ft Frontier BB. I considered a ballast box, but I decided to purchase something that I could use for tasks other than just ballast. A good heavy BB is more than adequate as ballast. It isn't much wider than the tractor and doesn't cause any real maneuvering problems.

On a side note, I have the 300CX and I love it. I remove it often and it just stands there waiting to be reconnected. If you haven't taken delivery of your tractor yet, I would consider the 300CX...more lift, self standing...

Good luck, you'll love your new tractor.

 

[454shooter]

I second the 300CX recommendation. I also would have the tires filled. I did not get mine filled but will be filling myself with WW fluid when time permits. I have a 3720 and have had the rear tires off the ground more times than I would like to admit. That is with the either the 448 hoe on it or a 6' KK rotary mower. The book recommends rear tire fill plus over 1000# of rear ballast. I highly recommend it also.

Shooter

 

[Andy_H]

You want to get your tires loaded and put your heaviest 3pt. implement on to do loader work. I had the R4's on my 4310 loaded with Rim Guard (sugarbeet juice). non-toxic, won't freeze and weighs 10.2 pounds per gallon, and cost less than 200 hundred bucks to have the local truck tire shop do it. just had to take the tractor to them. the loaded tire difference is huge.