Traction Traction is all about balance

[BTDT]

Here's an idea I'm thinking of doing. Let me know what you all think.

Using a 15 gallon plastic drum on its side, cutting slits in both ends. Put a drawbar through it that sticks out on both ends. Fill the drum with concrete. This should give you close to 300 lbs. of weight. No top link needed as all it will do is spin. This is good for me because when I back up in certain areas my rear weight catches(one of the problems with the lower lift of the 2210 3pt).

Anyone see in problems with this idea? I'm currently using my box scraper for weight but it sticks back to far.

Sounds good. Cheap too, if it doesn't work, your not out a lot of money. Could also double as a lawn drum, just lower and roll.

 

[Bulldog160]

Didn't think about lawn drum but its a good idea. I figure less than $50 total. $20 drawbar, $8 drum, and then concrete. My local JD dealer wants $200 for a ballast box.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy, all you have to have is talent. I have no talent. Now, if I could get the parts at TSC and stick them in the concrete, all would be great!
Bob

Yes.. you can get everything at TSC.. they even have cheap plastic tubs if ya don't have any spare cattle feed tubs... They hav ethe metal stock too. If ya don't have a drill.. buy a ford stabilizer bar.. it has a large hole in each end.. just use a bolt and big washers instead of a toplink pin..

They have the carriage bolts, concrete, and drawbars too.

All you need to do is add water, agitate, and put the metal inthe right places.

Soundguy

 

[Doc_Bob]

Doc_Bob, I see in your profile you have pallet forks. If you had some that were 3ph (and they may be), could you just build a ballast box (you choose the type, barrel with water, box of iron, concrete, etc) and then back up and lift. Then according to how close/far it is from tractor, that one weight would increase or decrease it's effect.

Nope, they are QA FEL.
Bob

 

[Sully2]

Well, I learned that with adding a few hundred pounds on my 3ph allowed me to run in rear wheel drive while moving heavy and wet manure in the bucket. Without the weight, my rear wheels lost traction (engaging 4WD did not help!!!!). I had to dump the manure to get out of the wet and slippery ground. Now, with weight on the rear balancing the weight in the bucket means more weight on the rear and therefore more traction. I moved all the heavy wet manure that beat me the day before without the 3ph weight.

Everyone else knew this already. I am slow to learn !

Bob

I use a weight box on the back...with between 250-300 pounds in it. I NEVER attempt to use the FEL without IT or something heavier on the back. Only time I ever got light in the back was with a HEAPING load of WET topsoil..and I mean full to the brimmie brim brim!! Never came off the ground...but you could feel it was "goosey" in the back.

 

[oscer]

Loaded tires are great for traction but don't counter balance the fel.for that you need the weight hanging behind the rear axle. I had the tires on mine filled with windshield washer fluid before I bought it,it's best to have the dealer fill them,they have a pump.
As for ballast my manual calls for at least 725 lbs so I made a concrete weight of about 800 lbs. My tiller weighs about 500 lbs. and I can really see the difference when the concrete weight is on.Without anything on the back and the bucket full I hardly have any power steering.

 

[oscer]

Here is a picture of it,I should paint it green.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Here is a picture of it,I should paint it green.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r292/oscerphoto/ballastweightSmall.jpg

Where did you get the parts?
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Here is a picture of it,I should paint it green.

Or Yellow!
Bob

 

[1948berg]

I have showed this ballast here earlier. Most people think it will ruin the lifting arms. It wont, it has been used on the tiny Fergie arms for 50 years!
Just hitch and go, you wont even have to get off the tractor.
Some of the weight is transfered to the lover part of the lifting arms, preventing the ballast from swinging. The heavier ballast the better, both for traction and for saving the front wheel drive. (the weight in the last pic has fallen backwards)