Owners of 5xxx series tractors - how much ballast do you use?

[Loogie]

When I was filling my ballast box, my father-in-law (who's been farming and driving machinery his whole life) advised me not to fill the ballast box with anything loose. He recalled several times over the years when people he knew had inadvertently had a roll-over event with their tractor and subsequently been showered with heavy objects falling from the ballast box - which immediately changed the center of gravity yet again. I filled mine with concrete for that very reason.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Something I never thought of, but seems like excellent safety advice.

Hmmm.... I am thinking I will stick with the filled tires and no ballast box. And get a super duty box blade if I ever want more weight on the 3ph.

 

[tractortad]

Z -

I have a 5510 4WD with 542 FEL and oversized filled tires. I use this set-up for general utility work and to brush-hog 27 acres with some major slopes in the Shenandoah Valley. I've been happy with the way the tractor works and feels. Unless you are going to put mega hours on your tractor, I wouldn't worry about using extra fuel to run with too much weight. I think the heavier the tires, the better your traction and the safer you are from tipping - since loading the tires is the best way to lower the center of gravity on your tractor.