Ballast box. Extend or not

[YesDeere]

Didn't want to hijack the other thread anymore than I did.

Here's the question. Local dealer has a bb in stock but it has the extensions. They want $238 for just the box and another $115 for extension. I don't think I need all that. Thoughts? Price ok?

 

[greg_g]

On a 4310, I'd say - not needed.

I have the JD box AND the extensions for my 3720 with the five foot 4-in-1 bucket. I thought because of the heavier bucket I should have the extensions. But I tried box-only first, on a heaping bucket full of wet limestone (dense grade aggregate). Came clear to me right then, that I'd wasted my money on the extensions. Never even bothered to install them, so they're for sale if you are of a different mind. If I had a 4720 and a six foot bucket, they'd probably be installed. But not on my 3720 and 5 foot bucket.

//greg//

 

[YesDeere]

Thanks Greg. I thought that was overkill. Is that price about right. And what do you think yours weighs?

 

[YesDeere]

Well...
I went down and ordered just the box, no extension. I have a great parts man. He knocked a little off. I will pick it up next Thursday.

But.. Here is the real kicker. While we were double checking the lot for a used one I spied a set of forks. Barely used. Made the deal. Picking them up in the am. $400. Would have got them tonight but I was driving my gas sipping beater and they were about to close. Sweet!!!!!!!!

 

[greg_g]

Thanks Greg. I thought that was overkill. Is that price about right. And what do you think yours weighs?

$115 sounds about right. Got mine a little over a year ago for $110. It's in two pieces, 16 pounds each. That extra $5 is either inflation or mounting hardware. My $110 didn't include any thing but the two extension panels.

//greg//

 

[smalltown]

Nice find on the forks :cool2:

 

[YesDeere]

Thanks

I'll post a pic tomorrow.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well...
I went down and ordered just the box, no extension. I have a great parts man. He knocked a little off. I will pick it up next Thursday.

But.. Here is the real kicker. While we were double checking the lot for a used one I spied a set of forks. Barely used. Made the deal. Picking them up in the am. $400. Would have got them tonight but I was driving my gas sipping beater and they were about to close. Sweet!!!!!!!!

Great price on the forks!!

What dealer did you go to, if I may ask?
Also, on the other thread, I wrote the ballast box cost around $200...was that about right? Been a few years since I priced one...

 

[YesDeere]

Yup. Right at $200. And I use Atlantic. 4 miles from my house. I am pretty happy

 

[kennyd]

Nice score YD :thumbsup:

I agree...no extension are needed for your machine.

 

[YesDeere]

Thanks! I just moved some brush with them. Wow. Why did I wait so long.

 

[YesDeere]

I was about to order a set from artillian tractor. But I couldn't pass that deal up

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks! I just moved some brush with them. Wow. Why did I wait so long.

Because they're pretty expensive new...and you don't see many used ones on the market.

 

[dschuffert]

I bought the JD Ballast box and extension. I have a 3520 with the 73in heavy duty bucket. I think I would have been fine without the extension, but have it now so I am using it. The biggest pain was drilling the holes to attach it. I filled it with concrete and it does a great job of balancing anything I have done with the loader whether using the bucket or forks. Using the iMatch makes it simple to connect - I think it would be too difficult for me without the iMatch and the weight.

 

[RoyJackson]

Since my ballast box is off more then it's on, and following up on dschuffert's last sentence...I'll repeat something I suggested previously...get one of those $15 furniture dollys (1000 lb capacity) from Harbor Freight and use that under your ballast box when it's dismounted.

 

[megaboz]

Personally, I would have went with a back blade. One the back blade makes a great emergency brake and second it can perform other duties. I have a 6 foot on my 2520 and I use it almost as often. Honestly I'm bout read to sell the ballast box because I never use it since I got the BB. For a couple hundred bucks more it has been very useful.

 

[kennyd]

Personally, I would have went with a back blade. One the back blade makes a great emergency brake and second it can perform other duties. I have a 6 foot on my 2520 and I use it almost as often. Honestly I'm bout read to sell the ballast box because I never use it since I got the BB. For a couple hundred bucks more it has been very useful.

How much does you blade weigh? Are your tires filled?

I like the Ballast Box's becasue they are so compact, you don't have to worry about it hitting things as much.

 

[sunnyside360]

...get one of those $15 furniture dollys (1000 lb capacity) from Harbor Freight and use that under your ballast box when it's dismounted.

Ditto!! No question the furniture dolly works well for storing, moving and easily attaching the ballast box.

 

[dschuffert]

Since my ballast box is off more then it's on, and following up on dschuffert's last sentence...I'll repeat something I suggested previously...get one of those $15 furniture dollys (1000 lb capacity) from Harbor Freight and use that under your ballast box when it's dismounted.

That is a great idea, thanks!

 

[dschuffert]

Personally, I would have went with a back blade. One the back blade makes a great emergency brake and second it can perform other duties. I have a 6 foot on my 2520 and I use it almost as often. Honestly I'm bout read to sell the ballast box because I never use it since I got the BB. For a couple hundred bucks more it has been very useful.

That could work for lighter load loads, but I tend to take the loader to the limits particular when offloading pallets. I like the compactness of the ballast box which still allows me to freely navigate in the barn. I have the ballast box with extensions and eight 80# bags of concrete in it.