Is this a stupid idea?

[Teikas Dad]

I got a ballast box for my tractor and filled the box with 50lb bags of sand which fill the box up to the top. I would like to be able to throw a couple chains, or set a chainsaw in the box and things like that, but the sand bags don't allow enough room.

I started thinking about other ways to put weight in the box that would be less volume than the sand.

Would this work or is a stupid idea? I've got a bunch of 12v batteries that are worn out and they weigh around 40lbs each. The batteries don't take up as much room as the sandbags, so I could get more weight with less volume. If I made a slurry of water and baking soda and poured it into the cells on the batteries, purpose being to neutralize the acid, then rinsed the battery cells out with water, would that be a safe effective way of using the old batteries for weight? I'd like to put blocks of lead in the ballast box but it's too expensive. I know cutting open a battery to get the lead out isn't a good idea but I wasn't sure about trying to neutralize the acid then flushing them out and using the acidless battery.

I don't make any claim at being an electrical engineer or playing one in TV and you guys are a lot smarter than me, so, is my idea workable?

 

[jake98]

I'd stand back, sounds like you could get a face full..

 

[john_bud]

That would work. I'd probably neutralize it like you suggested, but then cut the cases open and just use the lead inside. that would take up the least amount of space. You could also go to a metal shop or welding shop and buy up the "drops and ends". Probably get it for the scrap price. iron is a LOT heavier than sand.

 

[jimmyj]

Erm, I don't think it is a good idea. I'd avoid nasty old battery byproducts.

 

[whistlepig]

I had a battery blow up on me once. After that I had a whole different attitude about batteries. They are potential bombs with stuff in them that can blind for life.

 

[john_bud]

I had a battery blow up on me once. After that I had a whole different attitude about batteries. They are potential bombs with stuff in them that can blind for life.

Yeah... but if he opens the tops, dumps it out, flush it, neutralize it... then not an issue.

But you are 100% right, there is a lot of energy in a car battery and that energy can do harm -- quick.

 

[whistlepig]

I highly recommend not doing this.

 

[jake98]

If you put a couple in the bottom of a garbage can, then filled it with water, you could do it sorta safely.

 

[k0ua]

I think the old batteries are always going to be a nasty proposition. I would suggest the "drops" idea is a good one.. start collecting old pieces of steel, I think you will be ahead.

James K0UA

 

[Soundguy]

old car weights too.. melt em down... that or steel cut offs...

heck.. concrete is cheap..

 

[Teikas Dad]

OK, thanks for the input. Icksnay on the battery idea! It was just something I was thinking about as an alternative. I'll have to check the local tire store and see what they're doing with their used wheel weights. They used to throw them out, but I doubt they're doing it now. I'll have to check into availability of cutoffs too.


Thanks all!

 

[Beltzington]

old car weights too.. melt em down... that or steel cut offs...

heck.. concrete is cheap..

What he said.

 

[Clint S]

Around here a battery taken to the scrap yard fetches 4 to 7 dollars. Trade them all in and buy something with the money to use for ballast.

 

[Soundguy]

good idea!

 

[JD 4520]

Stay with the sand idea

 

[DJ54]

If you have a redi-mix plant near by, most usually have a few trucks through the day that have extra concrete, and dump in a pit, or somewhere along the way to get rid of it. I know several guys who have taken their weight boxes to one of these plants, and they are more than glad to fill them. Sell the batteries, slip the guys a ten or twenty, for their Christmas party and every one is happy...

Depends on how long you can get by without the box, and is it worth the trip to drop it off, and pick it up. That versus just getting something like quick-rete, and fill to the level you want, since you want to carry other items on top.

Just some food for thought...

 

[nomad]

By adding water into the battery, I don't think you can increase its weight from 40 lb to 50-60 lb as there is no big volume in it, isn't there? If there is enough volume, fill old battery with sand. (hmm, I win in more stupid idea competitions.)

 

[grnspot110]

I have scrap iron in my JD box, this leaves about 8" in the top for tools & chains:



2" & 3" plastic conduit tubes one one side for long-handled tools:



Old RR rails for runners on the bottom w/2" receiver tube, unit is bolted on. Chainsaw sleeve is made with 1/4" recycled plastic:



I have since added another set of 3-pt pins 5" above the originals to keep it from dragging when loading on the trailer.

Total weight is 620+#. ~~ grnspot

 

[g0rd0]

loose the batterys, all that is a recipe for disaster. Go to your local tire dealership and ask for a bucket of old wheel weights, put them in feed bags then add as much or little to your box as needed

 

[Deere Dude]

I didn't want to ruin a brand new weight box by filling with concrete because it was so purdy, but what else is a BB good for? I filled mine with dense rocks to take up space and then a few bags of concrete to fill in all the gaps. Since then, I never wished I would have an empty BB.