When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?

tdenny · May 2, 2003

I almost always have one of my attachments on my tractor (usually the box blade) but if you are working in tight spaces this might not be possible. In this circumstance I am very glad to have the tires loaded. I was told by one NH dealer when shopping tractors that he would not sell a tractor with a loader without filling the tires.

Anonymous Poster · May 2, 2003

( When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL and how much weight is needed? )

The "correct" answer is that weight in the rear is appropriate for all use of the FEL as some others have indicated. That being said, my wife and I will move light-weight things, such as a bucket of mulch without adding weight. But even then, we keep it low and don't move fast.

kensfarm · May 2, 2003

I've been working on my driveway.. putting on new crushed stone.. even though my tires are loaded and I have double weights on each rear wheel.. I still hook on a 3pt attachement.. most times the tiller.. even w/ all that I can feel the "bounce-up" from lowering the FEL when full of stone. Hauling manure.. I'd probably okay w/out the 3pt.. but I always attach something if I'm using the loader.

Mosey · May 2, 2003

Spencer - When you were moving that rock we discussed in the thread Ordered my Bush Hog M246 FEL did you have any additional weight on the 3pt or just the wheel weights?

markie61 · May 2, 2003

I have my tires loaded (about 600# each) and have added EZ Weights . I also have a counterweight available for the3ph. For most applications, the fluid and EZ weights are adequate. But if I am using pallet forks and carrying 1/2 cord of wood, the rear lightens up. For that reason, I hook up the ballast.

When mowing, I remove the loader and EZ weights (5-10 minutes) and hook up the mower. I mowed yesterday (after 1/2" rain the night before) and the front tires left more marks in the grass on the corners than the loaded rear tires did.

If you decide to load the tires, do it with them on the tractor. I couldnt imagine having to reinstall a loaded tire. Of, if you don't own it yet, get the dealer to do it.

As JMIII implied, safety is what it is all about. The main advangtage of loaded tire is keeping most of the ballast BELOW the axle, thus lowering your center of gravity. I have to believe, also, that loading and wheel weight are easier on the bearing life because the weight in not on the frame.

Just some thoughts....

Mark

CTyler · May 2, 2003

( When is rear ballast for needed with a FEL... )
You should always have weight to counter balance the FEL.

( ...and how much weight is needed? )
Depends.

Dirt wieghs aprox 100 pounds per cubic foot or 2700 pounds per cubic yard. What is the capacity of your FEL?

I have a 72" bucket and usually have a 65" box blade that wieghs about 575 pounds. With a full bucket of damp dirt its light in the back. The problem isn't so much tipping forward, never done that, but tipping to the side.

I have been diging dirt out of a terrace and had a trench about 8-10" deep. With a full bucket I went to turn around. Mind you I'm doing this slowly. When the front tire drove up out of the trench the tractor tipped at an angle and forward due to the wieght in the bucket. This raised the one rear tire about foot off the ground. That will give you a scare!
About the time it hit the front axle stop the bucket was on the ground anyway. If I'd had the bucket up in the are like a dipstick it may have rolled...dunno... but its not a good thing no matter what. That seat belt that irritates me all the time cause it constatly gets tighter and tighter worked pretty good.
Still wish it wouldn't cinch up though.

When the backhoe is on its not an issue but more wieght is needed than what the BB and subframe provides. I also have a subframe for the hoe that wieghs a couple hundred pounds that is always on the tractor.

My bucket holds 13 cubic feet, thats 1300 pounds plus the FEL weight. Adds up quick! Thats my 2 cents.

Mosey · May 2, 2003

( What is the capacity of your FEL?
...
I have a 72" bucket.
...
My bucket holds 13 cubic feet, thats 1300 pounds plus the FEL weight.)

I have a 60" bucket. So, based on what you're saying, I'll have over 1000lbs in a full bucket.

Spencer · May 2, 2003

( Spencer - When you were moving that rock we discussed in the thread Ordered my Bush Hog M246 FEL did you have any additional weight on the 3pt or just the wheel weights? )

Mosey, Yes I had my Bush Hog 72" Rear Blade on the back. You should have seen my poor front tires when I had that rock way out there on the forks /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I had to quick put it back down, run inside and get my manual, grab my air tank and run back out there and put more air in them. There are only two circumstances where the rear end gets too light with the rear blade on there. The first is when I am trying to dig something out of the ground and it doesn't want to come. The second is when I am going down a hill with the bucket completely loaded. I probably should have gotten my rear tires filled but my dealer only offered calcium chloride and I had to pay a pretty hefty sum if I wanted it done. I was concerned about the weight while I was on my lawn so I opted to go with the wheel weights. I don't mow with my TC33D but I do odd jobs on the lawn with it. Just a few weeks ago I ripped a few bushes out that were right up by the house and I left some pretty good indentations in the lawn, exactly the thing I was trying to prevent. There would be a third circumstance where the rear end would be too light and that would be if I ever travelled with a full bucket raised up too high, but I know none of us would ever do that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 3, 2003

I found that a 125 gallon water tank filled on a 3pt carryall works really well. My FEL with lift about 950 lbs and the 125 gallons of water weighs about 1000 lbs. That way I have perfect ballance. When I am done with loader work I water the grass with the tank. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif It works great!

ChrisW

alco141 · May 3, 2003

i have a NH 1520 which is about the size and weight of your tc29, it will get very tippy without some rearend weight, i can move mulch if i keep it low to the ground, but as far as gravel or dirt, i would add a tiller or a bunch of cement blocks to the rear end of my tractor for stability it helps a great deal. i might get a weight box or make a large cement block to mount on the 3 pt. always keep you load low to the ground especially when going down hill on uneven ground, when i am doing this i keep my hand on the loader control so i can drop the bucket a few feet to the ground if i feel the wheels lift off the ground.

alex