Ballast Dk10 series, preferred rear ballast amount?

[Mikkelsen]

The 2015 and newer DK tractors are a bit smaller I believe...and they have a lot of lift ability with their FEL. The back of the tractor feels light without anything even in the bucket. Are there any recommended amounts of rear ballast for the three point hitch? 1200 lbs good? I want to maximize that loaders 2600lb potential.

 

[RNeumann]

Most folks who are needing additional weight opt to fill the tires. That's 600-800# there. Then put your normal 3 point attachment on (I like my box scraper) and you should be good.
By the time you make something to hold that much weight and add whatever you use for ballast you will be right about the cost of ballast in the tires. I'd have a hard time giving up my 3 point to add weight.

 

[RandyT]

The recommended ballast for my 2005 DK45S with the bushhog 346 loader and heavy duty bucket is 2300#. At 2800 psi the loader is rated for 4500# at carry position and 3500# at full height. Now my hydraulics are set at the 2400# factory setting, so my lift capacity will be slightly less than stated specs.

 

[Mikkelsen]

Wow, 2300# ballast! How did you get that much? I don't want to weight my tires to keep weight off in certain conditions such as being on the lawn. When using a three point attachment, I don't need more weight, just when doing loader work. When doing loader work, I'm in tight turning conditions and three point attachments are either in the way or getting banged up. Thus wanting to add a compact three point ballast...but wanting to know about recommended weights to get full use of the loader. Would 1200# be sufficient or should I aim for more?

 

[RandyT]

I have rimguard in my rears, and when doing extra heavy lifting I add my 6' KK disc on the pt. That gives me about 1700# total ballast. I don't need the extra weight on the rear when just using the bucket, Just need it when using the pallet forks. I have actually picked up the rear tires off the ground with the disc attached. in extreme cases I have 5 120# pump jack weights I can also add to the top of the disc.

 

[ON84]

Mikkelsen;
I leave the backhoe attached and it keeps the rear end on the ground most of the time. Unless your rear tires are loaded, you will find that 1200# is a little light when you push the capacity of the FEL.

 

[Mikkelsen]

Thank you. When I leave the backhoe on, it reduces my maneuvering room too much...that's why I'm trying to figure how much ballast I need back there...

 

[MichiganIron]

Thank you. When I leave the backhoe on, it reduces my maneuvering room too much...that's why I'm trying to figure how much ballast I need back there...

For the KL5510 Loader, we normally recommend about 800lbs at the 3-point hitch, assuming the center of gravity of the weight will be at least the 24" behind the pins. 3-Point weight is more effective than tire loading since the weight is behind the rear axle, offering better counterbalance and weight distribution. The backhoe weighs in at about 1000lbs, with a ceter of gravity more than 24" behind the lift pins....great ballast for the tractor. Any weight you build up to 800lbs is going to end up more than 24" aft, just by the size of the weight. Loaded tires (Rimguard) on the DK10's will be about 800lbs, but at the rear axle...not quite as effective as at the 3-point hitch.

 

[Mikkelsen]

Good info, Thank you. For that tractor and loader, and for doing heavy loader work with a grapple bucket and wanting to maximize its lift capacity, would you recommend more or filling the tires in addition to using the ballast?

 

[RNeumann]

Not sure if you have seen this.
Another Ballast Barrel Build

Another Ballast Barrel Build