Rim guard or not? Why a ballast box instead of boxblade?

[amhicks21]

Very correct. I think many people hear all the (correct) talk about needing proper 3pt ballast. They jump to assuming they need a ballast box. Some have legit needs for the maneuverability a compact ballast box gives. Most don't. I think most of us are just trying to prevent newbies from wasting time & money on a dedicated ballast box before they figure if they really need the specific limited benefits of a ballast box over an implement.

Yup, as soon as spring hits my weight box gets shoved in to the back of a shipping container until the following winter. If i wasnt plowing snow it would be useless.

 

[Diggin It]

You FlatEarthers don't understand what a bunch of weight hanging off the back can do to you when trying to climb a steep-ish hill. I have places I mow that I have to have the FEL out front and lowdown and nothing on the back.

 

[rScotty]

Very correct. I think many people hear all the (correct) talk about needing proper 3pt ballast. They jump to assuming they need a ballast box. Some have legit needs for the maneuverability a compact ballast box gives. Most don't. I think most of us are just trying to prevent newbies from wasting time & money on a dedicated ballast box before they figure if they really need the specific limited benefits of a ballast box over an implement.

Exactly. Wish I'd said it so well. There are uses for ballast boxes and filling the tires - but newbies have no way to know that both are a long ways from being requirements.
Use your new tractor & learn what it can do before wasting time and money on something that isn't a necessity and may be a detriment.
Then if after a year you do decide you need more weight you'll have a whole lot better idea of what and how.
rScotty

 

[oosik]

Been out here 40+ years and had a tractor all that time. I thought about a ballast box a few times. For me - a ballast box is of no use. I have VERY FEW really tight places and have no business with my tractor in those that are tight.

I have 1550# of RimGuard in the rear tires and a 1050# rear blade on the 3-point.

The M6040 Kubota is just not a tractor for tight places.

However - I do see the definite advantage of a b-box if you have a smaller tractor and need to do work in tight spots. I see some very "enlightened" designs for b-boxes - increases their usefulness.

I think of a ballast box as most other 3-point implements. If you need it - fine. Otherwise - wise money says use a 3-point implement and get more bang for your buck. JMHO

 

[jyoutz]

You FlatEarthers don't understand what a bunch of weight hanging off the back can do to you when trying to climb a steep-ish hill. I have places I mow that I have to have the FEL out front and lowdown and nothing on the back.

Ballast isn’t needed for mowing. I don’t understand your response. Ballast is needed for heavy lifts with the loader.

 

[WranglerX]

Exactly. Wish I'd said it so well. There are uses for ballast boxes and filling the tires - but newbies have no way to know that both are a long ways from being requirements.
Use your new tractor & learn what it can do before wasting time and money on something that isn't a necessity and may be a detriment.
Then if after a year you do decide you need more weight you'll have a whole lot better idea of what and how.
rScotty

Argument for ballast weight.... Dead Deere weighs in at 520 pounds ... 1715 weighs in at about 1400 pounds and has 580 pound FEL lift capacity....

 

[Fallon]

Argument for ballast weight.... Dead Deere weighs in at 520 pounds ... 1715 weighs in at about 1400 pounds and has 580 pound FEL lift capacity....

Nobody is arguing ballast on the rear is a requirement for lifting with the loader. Your pictures capture that perfectly. The argument is you can get the same results for free with a mower, box blade or any other heavy implement you already have. The only advantage of a dedicated ballast box over an implement is compact size. Most people don't need that tight of maneuverability though. So they should save a few bucks, at least early on until they know they really need it.

 

[tman1020]

I think everything has its purpose. Ballast boxes could be very handy in tight situation and for specialty uses like logging or plowing. Also nice to be able to remove the extra weight when I needed.
As far as filling tires it has definitely made operating many tractors much safer. But it does have its drawbacks. Filled tires do react to terrain slightly differently. And you can’t add & remove the weight as easily. Plus a puncture can be a major mess. For the uses I have adding ballast in the form of an implement or wheel weights is best for me. But can see where a ballast box could be very handy. Considered making A custom one many times.

 

[bigtiller]

I wouldn't mind having 2 ballast boxes.
My 2720 weighs 1950 lb bare weight. It is my loader tractor and my snowblower.
For snow blowing, I found 600lbs. in the ballast box to be a good balance front to back.
When I have the pallet forks on the loader, I throw an additional 300 lbs. of steel making a 900 lb. box.

So if I had a second box I could have a light one and a heavy one and I would not have to throw 300 lbs. of steel by hand.

But I'm tight with my money so I am sticking with 1 box......until I get "jay leno rich"

 

[MESSMAKER]

Ballast isn’t needed for mowing. I don’t understand your response. Ballast is needed for heavy lifts with the loader.

Ballast in the tires lowers the center of gravity. It can make a huge difference on overall stability.