Ballast Surprising ballast reqs for 400X/CX FEL on 4x20s!

bam747 · Apr 18, 2006

I was perusing JD's online manual for the 400X/CX loaders and had to do a double take or two regarding their MINIMUM tractor ballast requirements. Here is the recommendation lifted directly out of the manual:

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All of the following requirements are necessary to prepare the tractor for loader operation:

- 1600 mm (63 in.) or greater rear tread setting.
- Rear tires filled with liquid ballast.
- Four rear wheel weights. (400X)
- Six rear wheel weights. (400CX)
- 500 kg (1102 lb) minimum 3-point hitch ballast.

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Notice the wording "All of the following" in the recomendation?

Assuming a nominal weight for a filled rear tire is 600 lbs and the weight for each rear wheel weight is 110 lbs (I think that is the JD standard wheel weight), that adds up to 2,740 lbs of ballast for the 400X and 2,960 lbs of ballast for the 400CX. MINIMUM! The entire advertised weight of the 4x20 series tractors is only 3,700 lbs! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

And many people here on TBN ask if JUST filled tires or JUST cast wheel weights or JUST 3PH ballast is "enough"! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

So here's a question...

Where is the "minimum 3PH ballast" weight measured? At the link ends? At a nominal 24" behind the link ends? Hummmm...

Ramairfreak98ss · Apr 18, 2006

****, so if the 400cx is rated at 1900lbs lifting capacity right? does that mean withOUT all that ballast or do you need 3k lbs ballast for a 1900lb loader? I would guess that thing would lift over 3k in weight if you need the tractors weight PLUS 3k in ballast. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

beenthere · Apr 18, 2006

Probably a liability thing, making sure no one can claim that they didn't know it needed ballast weight. I don't have near the amount recommended amount per the manual, and I get by. Sometimes have to add more if I am going to pick up something real heavy. But a bucket load of dirt or gravel handles just fine.

Not something that has to be done, IMO. But lets you know the weight and lift capacity for which the tractor is designed.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 18, 2006

<font color="green"> lifting capacity right? does that mean withOUT all that ballast or do you need 3k lbs ballast for a 1900lb loader? </font>

All loader specs are stated with a properly ballasted amchine, so it is WITH all that weight...

I agree that you will almost never need it fully ballasted.

But BE SAFE!!!

dieselmotorhead · Apr 19, 2006

I have close to the same thing in my manual for the 4600 Its bare weight was 3550#. With a BH a lot is taken care of. It seems the dealers do not even follow the ballast requirement. I think it is a little excessive. But not with a full bucket high and moving/transporting ( not recommended either ). But if going into a truck eventually after transporting the load, you need to raise the bucket and move in. That is when the ballast is important, any uneven ground would be bad. I disconnected the backhoe and learned the importance of ballast. Later I got the tires filled (500# per tire) and turned them out ( 83" outside to outside) and have a heavy ( 765#)box blade when the BH is not hooked up. That seems adequate for most loader work. My dealer is very resistant to ordering wheel weights for some reason, I had to find a set on E-bay. Have not needed to put them on yet.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 19, 2006

There was a company called EZ Weights, they are now defunct, a sad loss . They were talked about a lot while they were going. They made an adapter that let you use weight lifting free weights on your wheels. Pound per pound you can't beat free weights (especially when you can snag them at garage sales) I may just fab some up myself...

Cidertom · Apr 21, 2006

slight correction on weights.
400cx
per JD @ pivot pin 2194 lb, 20 inch ahead of pivot is 2339 lb
yes, the numbers appear backwards, but they are true. I have picked 2200 +weight of pallet forks with mine. Even with the BH I was light on the back end. I'm wondering if the "required" ballast box is more unloading the front axle than stabilizing weight.