B3030 "Ballasting"

[Sully2]

B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I have a B3030 with the FEL and a rear mounted ballast box. "Some" tell me to have the rear tires filled with CC for ballast..? Some ( including the Kubota store where I bought it) says NO. If I need more to add wheel weights and more weight in the rear ballast box...???

For now Im going to leave the tires alone ( no CC and water in them). My rear ballast box is filled with compacted small gravel. HOW ( the best way) can I get MORE weight into it? Remove the gravel and instead add..?? Or "pour it full of concrete"...or ??

And..just how much CAN I put into it ( weight wise)..??

I understand the principals of the weight hanging out the back that way ( to offset front axle loading and to offset the loads in the FEL) But how much is "too much" ..or "not enough"...etc?

Its main use is clearing of dead trees ( up to about 4 inches in diameter.) which presently it does a good job except for the occasional SOB...lol..and for moving new topsoil into position for creation of landscaping here at home.

What I DONT WANT is something weighing in at 20 tons..lol...where the "lawn" is grooved to look like a herd of elephants have been moing thru it.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[ronjhall]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

Your 3PH is capable of lifting 1600 lbs. This means you could carry that much weight on the 3PH. I filled my Weight Box with five 80lbs bag of ready mix cement. That's 400 lbs plus the weight of the box. Should work well with your B3030. If filled to the top you can get another bag for added weight.
Here is a recent thread on the same subject. Click Here

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

Maybe I'll try FOURTY pound bags..lol 80 might break my poor old back... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the input!

 

[p32pac]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I filled my rear B3030 tires with CC about three weeks ago. It has worked out great. My dealer told me I wouldn't need the tires filled and sold me the ballast box. The box works fine, but you cant beat 400-500 lbs at the axles. The CC really makes the B3030 steady over all types of ground. Best $200 I have spent on my tractor. I highly recommend filling the tires no matter what you use CC, rimguard, etc.

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I may wind up doing just that! Since I already DO HAVE the rear BB...I might as well load it more heavy that I have it now and try that route "first"..? Winter will be nothing more than some snow scraping on my driveway...but come next spring..if it dont "perform" like I want it to...then the CC in the tires will be the next step.

Thanks!

 

[cart99]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

Unless you regularly run over really soft ground that you don't want to rut, I can't imagine why your dealer would've recommended not loading the rears. I'd ask what kind of tires you have (turf, ag or industrial) but I'm not sure that's relevant either. Load 'em up! Mine are filled with "an alcohol based filler" a.k.a. washer fluid, which seems to be what most recommend.

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Unless you regularly run over really soft ground that you don't want to rut, I can't imagine why your dealer would've recommended not loading the rears. I'd ask what kind of tires you have (turf, ag or industrial) but I'm not sure that's relevant either. Load 'em up! Mine are filled with "an alcohol based filler" a.k.a. washer fluid, which seems to be what most recommend. )</font>
The dealership said to add more weight to the ballast box out the rear and if I still needed more weight to use wheel weights.

I was told that any "leaking CC" after a fashon will eat the rims up ( after all..its basically SALT) and then Id have to have tubes installed in the tires..etc..etc. About 5 different reasons altogether. I have the industrial tires on it presently...but even with my clay soil I can see the "depressions" when I run across the lawn with it.

 

[ByronBob]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I use the tubes of sand in the ballast box. After I'm done with them I put them in the kids sand box. But my primary function with the FEL is more snow than anything else.

I just can't see putting CC in the rims until you've exhausted all other options and it fails on you. Salt + Metal = Rust

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I use the tubes of sand in the ballast box. After I'm done with them I put them in the kids sand box. But my primary function with the FEL is more snow than anything else.

I just can't see putting CC in the rims until you've exhausted all other options and it fails on you. Salt + Metal = Rust )</font>

I agree! Adding more to the ballast box is going to be my first game plan.

 

[Toolguy]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I have a B3030 with LA403 FEL and have the rear tires loaded with Rim Guard. Both dealers that I got prices from said that they always loaded the rear tires on tractors that were sold with loaders. I can see why. I once went to lift something and the corner of the bucket got caught on a large log. As I lifted the loader the opposite rear tire lifted off of the ground. I caught it right away and stopped. I have never had that problem if the load was centered in the bucket. I like having the tires loaded vs. a ballast box because I take the loader on and off a lot to do odd things and I would not want to have to also put the ballast box on as well. I occasionly have the rear blade on too but, I have found that as long as I am in 4WD I do not have traction problems while using the FEL. The more you lift the more traction you have on the front wheels and that keeps you moving. Without some type of weight in the rear it could be dangerous moving a heavy load if the rears wheels were to come off the ground. That is why you always want to carry a loaded bucket as low as possible.

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

ToolGuy: Im with ya! After talking to some friends that are "farmers" I realize Im NOT using 4wd as much as I should be. Thats one thing I can overcome for sure.

Thanks!

 

[p32pac]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

Salt + water does = rust However I did have tubes installed so I dont think rust will be a factor in my case. I tried to get rimguard but nobody around me uses it. With the wheels filled and the BB on I can easily lift full capacity with the loader. Before I had tires filled I had to use the backhoe for full weight lifts.

 

[Sully2]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Salt + water does = rust However I did have tubes installed so I dont think rust will be a factor in my case. I tried to get rimguard but nobody around me uses it. With the wheels filled and the BB on I can easily lift full capacity with the loader. Before I had tires filled I had to use the backhoe for full weight lifts. )</font>

I was told the onyly way anyone would load then was to have the tubes installed..?? I MAY very well wind up having the tires loaded ...eventually..?? but I'll ry the extra weight in the rear box first..and see what that does for me? I figure its going to be a LOT easier getting the rears LOADED,...than to ever try and get them UNloaded if its something I dont care for ..or ..??

 

[kingoflawns]

Re: B3030 \"Ballasting\"

I have citrus star in the rear turf tires on my 3030, it adds 300 lbs to each wheel, this is fine for regular duty loader work. If a job comes along loading wet loam or stone dust i will add additional weight on the 3 pt.