Ballast box height on three point hitch

Teikas Dad · Nov 23, 2012

I searched but couldn't find the answer. There are plenty of posts on building ballast boxes and buying ballast boxes, but I couldn't find any posts dealing with where/how high or how low to position a ballast box mounted to a TPH. I just bought a Kubota ballast box for my B3200 and hooked it up today. Loaded it up with 350lbs of sand (in 50lb bags).

My question is, what is the best position to carry the ballast box at? Is it better lifted all the way up, or keep it as close to the ground where there is no interference with the ground or midway? With my limited physics education it would make sense to me that carrying lower and farther away from the tractor would extend the moment arm and maximize the weight effect while keeping the tractor CG lower. Raising it up all the way brings the box slightly closer to the tractor, reducing the moment arm and also raising the CG on the tractor. Or, am I overanalyzing things? Does it really make any difference how high or low the box is?

kennyd · Nov 23, 2012

Lower is better, but it drags the ground on inclines and rough terain. I usually have mine about half way in the middle unless I need to go up steep hills or loading on the trailer.

whistlepig · Nov 23, 2012

The only concern I would have is that a ballast box does raise the CG when it is raised all the way up. When operating on steep hills that could be a concern. Other than that I can't see that it makes a difference on the height. I keep mine raised all the way up but only use the ballast box when moving snow on fairly level ground.

joshuabardwell · Nov 23, 2012

The great thing about having it on a three-point is that you don't have to settle on one position. But yeah, I would say your logic is sound. I would want it riding as low as possible without scraping.

amigauser · Nov 24, 2012

joshuabardwell said:
The great thing about having it on a three-point is that you don't have to settle on one position. But yeah, I would say your logic is sound. I would want it riding as low as possible without scraping.

That is what I do and recommend.