Ballast Weight box when???

[Mechanos]

Then you have all that stuff laying around your shed or yard.........

I guess my time is too valuable to mess with all that stuff. I don't have alot of time to screw around with that stuff because I am working most of the time.

I can see where the "make-your-own" thing isn't for everyone... it just depends on your situation. For me, my "shed" is 40' x 70' and there is more than enough "yard" to set a couple of blocks. To each there own... but it is nice to discuss different options, pros and cons so other people can decided to for themselves what works for the them.

 

[RoyJackson]

I can see where the "make-your-own" thing isn't for everyone... it just depends on your situation.

I lucked into a ballast box, but if I were going to "look" for one, I'd look on Craigslist or farm auctions.
I wouldn't want to pay the $200 for a Deere box or $500 (!!!!!!) for a Kubota box either.
Having one really made me a believer in rear ballast though.

 

[Redgoatea]

Lack of storage space could never be an issue for me. Lack of time for another project well okay that's an issue. But I figure I can make one in the time it's gonna take me to shop around for a good price and then drive what usually ends up being 60 miles to get it. 7

 

[Deadman]

I have a 4,500 square foot garage, and storage space IS an issue! :laughing:

 

[rjkobbeman]

Space is tight for me. You guys wouldn't believe what I have crammed in my garage!

There was just no room for my ballast box. The wife's car gets a stall. The camper gets a stall. The tractor, scraper and cutter get another stall (big stall).

Two vehicles and the riding mower are outside.

The ballast box stays outside. I hated to do that, but is it just a steel box filled with concrete! It was kind of banged up when I got it too. (Not real happy, but not a battle I wanted to fight.)

Someday I am going to build an outbuilding, but that is not in the budget yet.

 

[Deadman]

Just build another garage, I'd sell stuff before I ever let it sit outside in Wisconsin. Our climate ruins most anything metal, just give it enough time. :laughing:

 

[Storm56]

In the past I have just put on a heavy implement, however my old 60 gallon upright air compressor just died and I eyed it up and figure it will make an excellent rear weight. Time to get the torch and welder out!

 

[dklistul]

So, how durable is a poured block of concrete as a ballast? Sounds like a simple and inexpensive way to build several with different weights. But it also seems like it wouldn't like the stresses put on it by the 3 point pins and would tend to break apart. Maybe a piece of pipe between the pins and within the block to spread the load? Maybe even a piece of flat steel welded to the pipe to spread the load a little more?

Just thinking out loud here.

 

[RoyJackson]

So, how durable is a poured block of concrete as a ballast? Sounds like a simple and inexpensive way to build several with different weights. But it also seems like it wouldn't like the stresses put on it by the 3 point pins and would tend to break apart. Maybe a piece of pipe between the pins and within the block to spread the load? Maybe even a piece of flat steel welded to the pipe to spread the load a little more?

Just thinking out loud here.

I'd use some chicken wire or similar in the mix to add strength.

One guy used one of those big Rubbermaid tubs as his mold. Been a few years, but I do remember the picture.

 

[kennyd]

I just do not understand this changing weights thing:confused2: My BB is heavy and I want it that way all the time-I have never felt the need to vary the weight.

 

[dklistul]

I just do not understand this changing weights thing:confused2: My BB is heavy and I want it that way all the time-I have never felt the need to vary the weight.

My place has some pretty unusual places to mow so the MMM works best for me. When I'm mowing, I take the FEL off and also remove any rear attachments because then the tractor is much shorter and more maneuverable.

When I'm moving snow with the loader, I put the back blade on because I need that, too.

But if I moving dirt and want some weight to balance the FEL, I have to hook up something, anyway, and it might just as well be something compact yet heavy. I just haven't decided whether to spring for the JD balast box (my dealer quoted me about $250) or make something on the cheap. I sort of like the idea of a simple cement block doing the job.

 

[RoyJackson]

I just do not understand this changing weights thing:confused2: My BB is heavy and I want it that way all the time-I have never felt the need to vary the weight.

I guess farmers and such do to maximize the efficiency of their equipment...doubt there's much reason for we residential owner/operators.
I like sand in mine just because I don't want permanency should I ever want to use the box for something else. That'll never happen, of course, but allow me my idiosyncrasies.

 

[Mechanos]

I'd probably just make one... on the heavy side. I'm thinking somewhere in the 800 to 1000 pound range. Some people mentioned they like the BB since the could put stuff in it and take it out to vary the weight. For those people that wanted to vary the weight, I suggested just pouring a few different blocks of different weights.

My plan is to make a simple T shaped or triangle shaped frame out of angle iron that connected all the hitch points together. Then pouring the block around the frame and embedding it in the concrete.

 

[Deadman]

The more weight in the box, the more it stresses everything. I try to use roughly the right amount of ballast weight without adding all kinds of extra weight to just strain the tractor.
If i run with too much rear ballast, it makes the tractor pitch and buck on rough ground. I absolutely HATE that, as that stresses everything, and makes for a rough ride. Too much rear ballast also makes steering alot harder too, especially in soft ground.

 

[Redgoatea]

For me the varied weights would depend on what I was doing and what I had on the front. My bucket isn't very big (at least not compared to my skid) so for that I don't need a lot of weight. When I have the forks of I'm apt to carry much more weight. As was mentioned in another response you don't want the tractor carrying around it's maximum capacity front and back all the time. It causes unnecessary wear and tear.

 

[2fast2]

Does Deere make a cat 2 ballast box?
These seem popular with compact tractor owners but I'm wondering about one for my 5210 with FEL. Although the rear tires are ballasted, I definitely could use more counter weight when using my FEL for stone, gravel, etc.
Are ballast boxes used by the mid-sized tractor owners?

 

[Cyclone Jake]

This has always been one of my favorites (Not Mine):

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/a...-box-cure.html

 

[Deadman]

JD box is nice. I throw all my misc. Chains in there, 2 Chainsaws, splitting mauls, wedges, files, water bottles, tools, and there is still room for all my lead blocks underneath all this stuff. I'd be lost without it.
I used to put my saw in the bucket, and then i saw a tree down in the roadway, and of course i dumped my chainsaw and **** near drove it over! Never again. Now its always in the back.

 

[Redgoatea]

JD box is nice. I throw all my misc. Chains in there, 2 Chainsaws, splitting mauls, wedges, files, water bottles, tools, and there is still room for all my lead blocks underneath all this stuff. I'd be lost without it.
I used to put my saw in the bucket, and then i saw a tree down in the roadway, and of course i dumped my chainsaw and **** near drove it over! Never again. Now its always in the back.

Yeah still working out a good place for the chainsaw. It fits behind the seat in the case but I'm Adrain of it falling off and want something better than a bungee holding it. I may bite the bullet and buy a box. :-(

 

[Deadman]

I wish I had a pic of my box all loaded down with my saws and stuff, but when i'm headed to the woods, i'm usually not real worried about taking pics of it! :laughing: