Ballast box substitute

[Torvy]

I filled my tires with beet juice. I highly recommend it. The weight is low and off the axle.

Filled tires are great for helping with traction, but the ballast behind takes weight off of the front axle which is good for FEL counter balance. Your rear axle works like a fulcrum and the further back the weight goes, the greater the effect. Weight on your tires doesn't help that problem.

Personally, I use my flail as my counter. Heavy and sits back about 5 feet.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I’m thinking about building a frame that replaces the backhoe frame and carries the weight down low. Concrete could be poured in a framed area or even pieces of railroad rail welded in. Still have much of the weight and keep the 3 point usable.

I found doing this made it extremely helpful for my little tractor ... I'm not sure what tractor you have, but on my Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB when I take off the backhoe I have the frame mounts available to use ...

I found once I dropped the weight of the rear blade on the ground, I was traction challenged, as in spinning tires and dog tracking ...

On mine the top holes are 1" and I found that a piece of 3/4" black iron pipe has an official OD of 1.06' ... I did have to hit it with a grinder in a few spots to even out the weld, but it slides in the top mount now fine! I can add 275 Lbs of the 1" weight lifting plates to it!

I also have filled tires and steel wheel weights, while the plates do add a tiny bit of "rear ballast" (because it's so close to the rear axle!) , but are primarily for TRACTION!

I can now pull a full 6' rear blade of dirt or snow ...

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

My used tractor came with a bush hog attached. I hated it. It banged around and made noise constantly. It was huge, so it was a pain to maneuver. I have a ballast box now, and it's infinitely superior.