Ballast Rookies with FEL's READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

hazmat · Nov 9, 2003

Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

I seem to be reading alot about unstable tractors/rear ballast/loaded tires lately. I won't hyperlink the threads to protect the innocent, but what I've been reading concerns me.

I've decided to outline a simple three step procedure to help those of you new to tractoring, use your FEL safely. After all I'm just past my rookie year myself.

Step 1. Read the FEL & Tractor Manuals! In most cases it (they) will clearly state how much tire & or three point hitch weight is required to safely operate the FEL. It doesn't matter if it is fluid filled tires or rear weights - The real farmers can study what works best regarding traction & compaction in the fields. For the majority here who are weekend warriors, it ain't going to make a difference - It comes down to personal preference, so long as you do it, or compensate for not loadin/weighting the rear tires by using the proper amount (typically several hundred pounds) on the three point hitch.

As an example. My TC18 which weighs 1,600# empty and has a loader that weighs 600# empty. The loader has a capacity of 600#. The manual recommends Loading the rear tires or rear tire weights (101# each) plus weight on the three point hitch. They go on to state that the tractor, with empty loader, should weigh at least 2,000# at the rear axle with the loader in carry position.

Assuming that the tractor empty probably has 1,000# on the rear + 600# on the front. You add most of the 600# loader to the front of the tractor. This requires a 1,000# additional weight on the rear end! The good news is that weight on the three point hitch counts about 1.5 times due to the moment effect. So, my loaded tires add ~400#, requiring another 400 # (400*1.5=600) on the three point hitch.

If I didn't load the tires (my turfs aren't loaded only the R4s), I'd need to add ~700# to the three point hitch. There aren't too many implements sized for an 18HP tractor that weigh that much. I happen to have a 5' aerator that weighs 350# + 560# ballast (concrete blocks) for a grand total of 910#. The aerator is a bit unwieldy, so I'm considering getting/building a ballast box to use when the turfs are on the machine.

Step 2. Insist that your dealer demonstrate how to properly use the machine. Specifically ask for some education regarding ballasting the tractor.

Step 3. Recognize that if you don't follow what the manual & dealer tell you to do, you are taking a risk. As you become more experienced, you may feel comfortable not using the full ballast for some tasks. Example, I use my FEL to pick up apple drops. Since I am using the FEL at far less than it's rated capacity, I feel comfortable relying on just the loaded tires for ballast. As you get more seat time in, your ability to calculate the risk goes up.

I'm getting off my soapbox now. Safe tractoring to all.

ewoss3 · Nov 9, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Thanks for the 101 session HAZMAT. I like others had plenty of learning curve during the rookie year and pulled plenty of rear wheelies. The best thing people can do is LOAD the wheels and keep the attachments on.

 weight is you friend, compaction is in your mind /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

PineRidge · Nov 9, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Hazmat thats good sound advice too bad most of us will unfortunatley have to learn the hard way. Doesn't matter how hot you say the fire is someone always has to stick their finger in it to test the heat for themselves.

Did you do a few rear wheelies on the learning curve yourself?

Tonester · Nov 9, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Yup, good advice Hazmat!

My tires are loaded up, but my mistake was working with gravel with the boxblade on. I got used to how much gravel I could pick up, then without thinking (it was late in the day, after all...) I grabbed a bucketful without the blade on (and hence less ballast) - won't do that again!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Keeping a heavy attachment on works great, especially if it's a boxblade, etc. - useful while moving dirt & gravel anyhow!

GregJ · Nov 9, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Good post Hazmat. I have a BH that I keep on most of the time. During my learning curve, I definitely had my tractor lift a wheel a few times, even with the BH on and loaded tires. It was because of these "religious" experiences that I now have a little better feel for my tractor. The important thing to know is what causes it to happen and how to react. Even with huge amounts of ballast, it is easy to tip a tractor given the right circumstances. Fortunately during my close calls I had the instinct to dump the load in my loader, in other words, drop the loader as fast as possible. I think the most valuable thing that I learned, and I heard it here, is to keep your load "LOW and SLOW". If you start to tip, dump the load.

Greg

Junkman · Nov 9, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

I learned that lesson a long time ago. Now when I fill the bucket, I put it down to almost ground level before moving the tractor. When it is that low, it can't go much lower, so if you get into trouble, it has to be something other than the weight in the bucket. While cutting grass last week, I had a rock kick up when the blade hit it and it jammed under the mower deck and lifted the tractor on one side. Never had anything like that ever happen before, but the ground was very soft from the record 4" rain we had a couple of days before. Never saw that rock before all the rain either. If you have ever tipped over your tractor, you know that you definitely don't want to experience that again and you learn that no matter how tired or in a rush that you are, you always do it safely. I know because I was there 20 years ago... I was young and foolish back then.... now I am just foolish.... LOL......

JeffRoy · Nov 10, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

All,
...funny this thread came out when it did. Just today I went airborne on one rear wheel because of (1) too much gravel in my FEL, (2) some sloping terrain that I tried to negotiate the WRONG way!, and (3) had this gravel load too high.

I frantically waved to my wife to come over and provide some extra ballast on the high side, since I was leaning over the high side of the tractor ( similar to "heeling" in a sailboat). ...leave it too my way too smart wife ( good thing , elst I'd still be out there "heeling"!) to suggest lowering the bucket and dumping some gravel to bring the wheel down. ..duh!!

So after going in the house to change my underwear, I was a bit smarter about the use of the FEL. No lesson is driven home quite as effectively as the one learned the hard way...

Jeff

Egon · Nov 10, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

My poor little B7100 spends half it's life with one or both rear tires off the ground when digging out trees or moving dirt with the bucket. Most of the land I work on is at 10 degree or more slope.

If a front tire was off the ground I'd get real worried unless I was using the bucket to sorta climb a tree to help push it over.

Egon

art · Nov 10, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Everyone has a wake up call while operating tractors and equipment. There are lines we often cross between safe and unsafe with the operation of equipment. It is imperative that we stay on the safe side as you never know when the circumstances will change and we are soon to find out we are not in control. I've got over forty years of tractor driving in and I still make mistakes. I still have all my fingers and toes as well as the people around me but there have been times that the worst was not that far away. Be Careful, the life you save may just be your own!

Thomas · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

By the looks you been working out your right arm Egon,sooo when plowing season arrives you shouldn't have a sore elbow working the joy stick. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If one not in a hurry those little mules can do lot of work. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Egon · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Thomas:

Just finished clearing 1/2 mile of overgrown lakeside road. Balsam fire,White Pine and some spruce some up to 4 inches but most smaller. Took three days.

I've got two forks bolted on to the bucket bottom and am able to slide them in under the roots and the then curl the bucket to break the roots loose. This is after the little mule has climbed the tree to help loosen things up.

The cleared trees will be put to use on a very ugly looking garden fence.

Egon

slowrev · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Egon,
My front tires are off the ground quite a bit when doing serious digging.
Looks like you work the little beast pretty well.
Enjoy.

Youare · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast 101

Thanks for the reminder!!

Rookies are not the only one's who need to know these things.
Those of us with many years of experience may some time get a little over confident in a particular situation. Just because we got away with pushing the limits in the past is no garantee we will come out fine in the next time.

I have lifted a rear wheel now and then digging, especially around roots, sure does get your attention. After most accidents happen we find ourselves saying, I should have known better.

Keep the reminders coming. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Randy

SacandagaBrad · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

I am one of the "innocent" ones posting a recent thread about loading tires - no need to protect me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif, I truly appreciate anyone pointing out potential problem areas especially when it comes to safety. I have been operating equipment for over 30 years, from yard and landscaping, to logging, farming, and heavy construction. I am also responsible for overseeing well drilling and construction activities to make sure the job gets done safely. When it comes to compact tractors, I'm a Rookie Jr.! The two things I've noticed so far, at least in the 24 hp class, is they feel like they have a relatively high center of gravity compared to a lot of the big farm and heavy construction equipment and they seem to be fairly light compared to the amount of power they have.

( Rookies are not the only one's who need to know these things. )

You've got that right! It always seems when we hear of a logger or equipment operator around here getting seriously hurt or worse, more often than not it is somebody that's been at their profession for years. In my line of work, I had to take a 40 hour safety course with annual 8 hour refreshers. The recurring theme in these classes is to always beware of complacency. When I starting riding dirt bikes, my father told me to take it easy and went on to say that the day I thought I was good was the day I would get hurt. By my second day, I was "good", that's the day I hit the house. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I walked away, right into a good lecture.

Anyway, I'm glad I loaded the tires and should have done it at the time of purchase. I'll continue to carry my loads low and be careful as I gain experience.

I used to tell my brother-in-law that the secret to a happy marriage is having the ability to recognize a "no-win" situtation BEFORE you're stuck in the middle of it. I guess that could apply to tractoring as well.

Brad

Henro · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Hi,

I know it was mentioned above, but it is worth repeating.

Always be prepaired to drop the loader immediately if you sense trouble.

Personally, when I got my tractor I practiced this emergency drill enough to make pushing on the loader control stick almost second nature.

A while back I was doing some loader work and when raising the bucket, a tooth at the far end of my bucket caught on a pine brance close to the trunk, and the tractor`s rear left wheel SHOT upwards [nothing gentle about the movement, believe me...]

It was so quick it caused my mough to say WHOA and my right arm to push forward at the same time. The point I am trying to make is that I all three things happened BEFORE I had time to think about them. THAT surprised me more than anything.

I think this was because I practiced the drop the loader drill enough to make it second nature. Never practiced the WHOA voice drill, but that seemed to work well too... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The rear wheels coming off the ground now and then is nothing new to me. This particular experience was different in that it was both unexpected and very sudden.

bigpete · Nov 11, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Henro, I graduated to the "Whoa $#!+" intermediate training level after digging out a few stumps after Isabele passed by earlier this fall. Now commonly known as the W.S. vocal maneuver in my family. The idea is that the load is dropped and all four wheels are on the ground and you are throttling down before you even begin the second word of the vocal maneuver. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Yes, true but conservative that I practice dropping my bucket once or twice before getting into any situation that might require it. It's kind of a drill for me now, and as subconscious as clicking my belt when I climb into the saddle. Recently I stepped up into the seat to jot down my hours after a recent oil change and clicked my lap belt without the engine running and without even thinking about it.

Moon · Nov 18, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Yup, me too. I joined the WS club a few weeks after getting my 3010. Dealer forgot I asked to have the tires loaded. I knew he didn't do it, but it gave me the experience with and without being loaded. Big difference on my hills. Take it slow and keep it low is the best advice in this thread.

Henro, what happened to that party pic of you doing 12oz curls? That was a cool pic. That also reminds me I have to check on that thread of your building project ......yea ....i been away for awhile!

PineRidge · Nov 18, 2003

Re: Rookies with FEL\'s READ THIS - Tractor Ballast

Henro we practice the stop and drop routine also.
Keep the metal side of the tractor up and the rubber side down folks, you won't regret it.