Theory of rear ballast?

[mike69440]

Re: Theory of rear ballast? My solution

A QA Counterweight Piggybacked on a highly modified QA Hitch were the weight does not interfer with 3Pt use, except the weight must be removed to use the PTO. Who needs CW with Rotary Cutter anyways?

 

[JohnMacca]

Do ALL OEM's recommend some sort of ballast or weight added to the rear of their tractors with a frontend loader? I never had FEL before, and I was going ask are you guys using the tractor for more than it's designed or do you want the extra security of the extra weight. But from the above quote, it looks like his tractor manufacturer recommends extra weight.

FWIW. The plate on my FEL says "Rated working load - 350 kilograms" and on the next line "Ballast - 200 kilograms". (Kioti tractor and Kioti FEL).

The dealer explained the benefit to me the same way as the rear ballast guys here. Weight on the 3pt means less weight (and strain) on the front axle from a loaded FEL and puts more of the weight on the rear axle where it should be.

 

[rswyan]

jodebg,

Dunno if you ran across this or not, but here's the thread for the ballast block I built for our B2910. Might give ya a rough idea as far as dimensions go.

I still haven't gotten around to updating the thread with a pics of the ballast block after the forms were removed ... or prettifying the block itself.

Ballast Block For Kubota B2910

It is a tad on the heavy side ... and picking it up with the 3PH is either a "go/no go" proposition depending on whether I have the top link extended or retracted (extended rotates the weight rearward making it harder - or impossible - to pick up)

Of course, I haven't gotten around to checking the pressure relief for the 3PH either ... it could be set low ... which could make all the difference in the world.

Sure can tell the difference in stability with it on though ... the butt end of the 2910 feels firmly planted.

 

[rswyan]

Re: Theory of rear ballast? My solution

A QA Counterweight Piggybacked on a highly modified QA Hitch were the weight does not interfer with 3Pt use, except the weight must be removed to use the PTO.

Nice design :thumbsup:

 

[Eric Salop]

For anyone who likes to use a calculator, my loader manual has this equation to work out the minimum ballast required.

 

[vtsnowedin]

For anyone who likes to use a calculator, my loader manual has this equation to work out the minimum ballast required.

View attachment 418384

I ran my tractor through the formula. Took me awhile to brush up my math skills but it checks out to my owners manual's recommendations.

 

[LD1]

Lotta guess work in that since most dont know how much the front/rear weights are. I think that is for stability also. Since fluid in the tires or wheel weights (according to the formula) would lessen the required counterweight. But in practice, fluid adds stability, but dont unload the front axle. So you still want a good counterweight.

I ran my tractor through the formula. Took me awhile to brush up my math skills but it checks out to my owners manual's recommendations.

What did it tell you that you need? And what is the loader rated to lift?

 

[vtsnowedin]

Lotta guess work in that since most dont know how much the front/rear weights are. I think that is for stability also. Since fluid in the tires or wheel weights (according to the formula) would lessen the required counterweight. But in practice, fluid adds stability, but dont unload the front axle. So you still want a good counterweight.



What did it tell you that you need? And what is the loader rated to lift?

850 KG which is 1873 lbs And the loader lifts 4000 with a bucket that weighs 450.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I had to do quite a bit of looking up to get the weights. I split the tractors weight 5040 lbs 60/40 rear/front. the loader frame is 370 (split 60/40) and the arms and bucket weigh 1350. (all on front axle.) The beet juice in the rears weighs 920. all converted to KG for the formula. I put the center of the 3ph load back at 1000 a bit behind the pins and the load in the bucket out at 1750 the pins are at 1200. the wheel base is 2050mm.

 

[LD1]

I had to do quite a bit of looking up to get the weights. I split the tractors weight 5040 lbs 60/40 rear/front. the loader frame is 370 (split 60/40) and the arms and bucket weigh 1350. (all on front axle.) The beet juice in the rears weighs 920. all converted to KG for the formula. I put the center of the 3ph load back at 1000 a bit behind the pins and the load in the bucket out at 1750 the pins are at 1200. the wheel base is 2050mm.

I would not factor the liquid in the tires. Sure it adds stability and will increase the amount it takes to top the tractor forward. But does nothing to help unload the front axle.

And do you find that number to be accurate? May be different for larger tractors. But I would guess smaller CUT's are closer to 70/30 weight split.