What should my rear ballast weigh ?

[MESSMAKER]

A carry-all with concrete blocks is a good rear weight plus it can be used for other things down the road. I would think I would shoot for weight about the same if not a little more than the weight of the loader. My tractor is only a little larger than yours and a 500lb box blade has been more than enough.

 

[LD1]

Just for kicks, I went out and took some measurments off my tractor. The distance from the center of the front axle to the bucket edge is 67". The distance from front axle to 3PH pins is 91". 67/91=.74.

What that means is to maintain the same F/R weight % you would need 74% of whatever your loader can lift hanging off the 3PH pins. Assuming your tractors measurments equal about the same ratio. Your loader can lift~ 545lbs at the edge. 545*.74=~400lbs of ballast needed to maintain the same weight distribution.

But 500-600 would be a little better IMO because even with no load in the bucket, if you rais it all the way, it can become a little unstable. 2 reasons is that it raises the center of gravity, and also because it moves the load farther from the front axle which is what the tractor tries to pivot around. Thus giving it more leverage on the ballast.

I also wanted to point out that my wheel base is 64". The loader pins are 67" in front of the front axle. Almos a 1:1 ratio. That means that for every pound of fluid in the tire will only ballast 1 pound in the bucket. I have loaded tires @ 200lbs each on a loader that will lift 853lbs @ the edge. Loaded rears will only account for about half the load in the bucket.

Just some food for though for those who care to ponder.

 

[oldnslo]

I also wanted to point out that my wheel base is 64". The loader pins are 67" in front of the front axle. Almos a 1:1 ratio. That means that for every pound of fluid in the tire will only ballast 1 pound in the bucket. I have loaded tires @ 200lbs each on a loader that will lift 853lbs @ the edge. Loaded rears will only account for about half the load in the bucket.

Just some food for though for those who care to ponder.

LD, it's obvious, you need Bigger tires!!!!

 

[sailorman]

Adding ballast weight to the 3PH is just about the most unprofessioal thing I have ever heard of. In time it will do damage to the dirveline and bearings. In the tire ballast is the answer.Tire ballast put the wieght on the ground not on the bearings and driveline. You 3PH is always open of use.

Unprofessional ? I 've never done any tractor work for pay so I guess I 'm clear on that count. I am a professional retiree and got that down with approx. 85 - 90 % efficiency. It would be higher but I 'm a lousy fisherman.

Following your logic, I guess I should put my tractor away never to be used again. At minimum, I should never use 3ph implements since they apply weight to the 3ph and drive line. Yep, that 's what I 'm gonna do .

 

[sailorman]

Just for kicks, I went out and took some measurments off my tractor.

Interesting approach. When the rain stops I 'm gonna make the same measurements and see what I get.

Where are you getting the specs for my tractor. They sure are identical to my manual. Are you using an online site that I can use also ?

 

[LD1]

Interesting approach. When the rain stops I 'm gonna make the same measurements and see what I get.

Where are you getting the specs for my tractor. They sure are identical to my manual. Are you using an online site that I can use also ?

kubotas website under specifications.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Tractors | B Series | B2320/B2620/B2920

Just click specifications. It will give them to you in some sort of a flash-player, but at the bottom right you can click specifications in the flash program and it will download them to you in a PDF

 

[sailorman]

kubotas website under specifications.

Hey I just discovered a gem of information about ballast on the link you provided. I was lookin' around at the attachments and found this stated in a pdf file about Kubota ballast box. Maximum allowed ballast weight on B series tractors is 500 lbs. Now all I have to do is decided how much of a conservative safety margin Kubota might have factored in. I 'm leaning toward just using their 500 lb weight recommendation and trusting their engineers.

 

[Deerlope]

I am sorry if I crumpled anyones feathers. I will just keep my thoughts to myself.

 

[wvpolekat]

Hey I just discovered a gem of information about ballast on the link you provided. I was lookin' around at the attachments and found this stated in a pdf file about Kubota ballast box. Maximum allowed ballast weight on B series tractors is 500 lbs. Now all I have to do is decided how much of a conservative safety margin Kubota might have factored in. I 'm leaning toward just using their 500 lb weight recommendation and trusting their engineers.

That seems WAY low to me.

 

[sailorman]

That seems WAY low to me.

Yeah, I know. The more I research Kubota specs and info. for my particular tractor the less clear it becomes. And who knows why Kubota recommends what they do. Actual mechanics, legal issues, stupidity, incompetent engineers and on and on ? Who knows.

 

[texasjohn]

Oh, dear me... guess I gotta be even more explicit.

I also have liquid loaded rear tires..'bout 500 lbs in each one.

With no 3ph implement, it is totally easy for me to turn the tractor over...nope, haven't done it, but such would result, clearly, if I went ahead and ignored my inner sense and I don't even have to approach max FEL loading.

The ONLY way to be safe out there is to have LOTS of rear ballast AND follow rules 1 and 2 AND use good judgment while tractoring.

Stay safe out there...I've said my piece on this thread, relayed my practices based on experience moving max FEL weight.

 

[sailorman]

TexasJohn, those are good rules you posted. Iagree.

 

[RoyJackson]

Adding ballast weight to the 3PH is just about the most unprofessioal thing I have ever heard of. In time it will do damage to the dirveline and bearings. In the tire ballast is the answer.Tire ballast put the wieght on the ground not on the bearings and driveline. You 3PH is always open of use.

Well, laddie...if you think adding ballast to the 3PH is unprofessional, then Deere, Kubota, NH and other manufacturers who sell ballast boxes and write ballasting instructions in their loaders manuals are unprofessional.

I dunno, buddy...I just don't think you have a clue...
(yes, gentlemen...I'm on my third Black and Tan and my inhibitions are diminishing...)

 

[kennyd]

Well, laddie...if you think adding ballast to the 3PH is unprofessional, then Deere, Kubota, NH and other manufacturers who sell ballast boxes and write ballasting instructions in their loaders manuals are unprofessional.

I dunno, buddy...I just don't think you have a clue...
(yes, gentlemen...I'm on my third Black and Tan and my inhibitions are diminishing...)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said...And I haven't even had a drink yet:thumbsup:

 

[lmalcomb]

let the flames begin :laughing:

 

[rjkobbeman]

Well, laddie...if you think adding ballast to the 3PH is unprofessional, then Deere, Kubota, NH and other manufacturers who sell ballast boxes and write ballasting instructions in their loaders manuals are unprofessional.

I dunno, buddy...I just don't think you have a clue...
(yes, gentlemen...I'm on my third Black and Tan and my inhibitions are diminishing...)

I was going to reply too... but after proof-reading my post, it was a lot safer to cancel it!

 

[RoyJackson]

I am sorry if I crumpled anyones feathers. I will just keep my thoughts to myself.

Nah...don't do that.
Just make sure you got thick skin and don't take this too seriously...it's just an internet forum.

 

[glc24]

I am sorry if I crumpled anyones feathers. I will just keep my thoughts to myself.

Maybe you could stand to learn a few things about ballast from these posts yourself.

So many people have the wrong idea about using tire weight for FEL ballast.
To properly ballast your FEL,the weight has to be BEHIND the rear axle.
The purpose is twofold,to keep the rear end on the ground AND take weight OFF the front axle.

Greg

 

[Duffster]

I was going to reply too... but after proof-reading my post, it was a lot safer to cancel it!

So I am not the only one that does that. :laughing:

 

[Duffster]

To properly ballast your FEL,the weight has to be BEHIND the rear axle.

Ummm...that is almost as bad as the unprofessional coment.

Sorry but you can properly ballast a loader with wheel weight.

I would consider the weight behind the wheels to be counterweight.