Ballast Box Upgrades

[Tim13]

I'm looking to add a ballast box and make a few upgrades to make it as versatile as possible. I'll be using it on a JD 3320 w/ iMatch.

I'm leaning toward just buying the box from Deere and having the local welding shop make the changes I want.

In the image below I've mocked up some ideas based on the fantastic builds and pictures I've found on this site. Let me know what has worked for you or maybe what you would do different.

Inside the box was going to add two (3 if they'll fit) pipes to hold shovel, rake, chain and a slot to hold my chainsaw.

On the back was planning to add two 3/8 grab hooks near the top and two clevis mounts toward the bottom and then a trailer hitch receiver at the bottom center.

 

[Notforhire]

Here is my counterweight, that I built from steel scrap. I want to add more weight, and a chain basket, and maybe a tool holder. I think it's around 800#. I decided to use steel because it would be more compact.

Best, Bill

 

[PsRumors]

Here is my counterweight, that I built from steel scrap. I want to add more weight, and a chain basket, and maybe a tool holder. I think it's around 800#. I decided to use steel because it would be more compact.

Best, Bill View attachment 312540

That is a sleek setup.

 

[bigtiller]

I'm looking to add a ballast box and make a few upgrades to make it as versatile as possible. I'll be using it on a JD 3320 w/ iMatch.

I'm leaning toward just buying the box from Deere and having the local welding shop make the changes I want.

In the image below I've mocked up some ideas based on the fantastic builds and pictures I've found on this site. Let me know what has worked for you or maybe what you would do different.

Inside the box was going to add two (3 if they'll fit) pipes to hold shovel, rake, chain and a slot to hold my chainsaw.

On the back was planning to add two 3/8 grab hooks near the top and two clevis mounts toward the bottom and then a trailer hitch receiver at the bottom center.

A lot of the guys here have done just what you are planning but I have a different take on it. I don't care much for the idea of leaving an air pocket in my ballast box for tools. I would rather have portland cement for ballast inside the ballast box and weld the tool holders on the outside of the box.

 

[ovrszd]

Tim, I'd agree with bigtiller, but for a different reason. If you leave this attachment outside the tool holders and chainsaw holder are going to fill with water. Not a pretty place to stick the bar of your chainsaw into. By mounting on the outside you can create drain holes.

I'd also add a chain box.

Keep us posted on your progress!!!

 

[grnspot110]

I don't like the idea of using concrete, since it's permanent! So I used scrap metal, including some lead in my JD box.



I put a 2" receiver tube under the box with 2 RR rail skids. Tool holders are on the outside of the box with a metal tray about 8" down inside for chains & tools. Total weight is 630#, just over the recommended (for my 790) 618#. Everything is bolted on so they can be changed if needed. ~~ grnspot

 

[AKfish]

I don't like the idea of using concrete, since it's permanent! So I used scrap metal, including some lead in my JD box.

View attachment 312581View attachment 312582View attachment 312583

I put a 2" receiver tube under the box with 2 RR rail skids. Tool holders are on the outside of the box with a metal tray about 8" down inside for chains & tools. Total weight is 630#, just over the recommended (for my 790) 618#. Everything is bolted on so they can be changed if needed. ~~ grnspot

Some great ideas! :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[Tim13]

Thanks for the good ideas. Spoke with local welding shop and they can make a box for $350 using 3/16 steel. It'll be $100 more than the JD box but will definitely be solid. Am I spending unnecessarily?

I really like the idea and pictures of placing the tool holders on the outside and will incorporate that into my design. GRNSPOT110...What are you using to hold your chainsaw?

Also, anyone using hooks on their box to pull shrubs or are you attaching chain to the back of your tractor?

Your input is really helping this come together.

 

[grnspot110]

I really like the idea and pictures of placing the tool holders on the outside and will incorporate that into my design. GRNSPOT110...What are you using to hold your chainsaw?

Layered 1/4" sheet plastic, sandwiched together!



That way, the chain only touches the plastic! ~~ grnspot

 

[ovrszd]

Layered 1/4" sheet plastic, sandwiched together!

View attachment 312729

That way, the chain only touches the plastic! ~~ grnspot

Good Point. I built a scabbord out of light metal. Then realized I can't drop my saw bar in there without dulling the chain. So I widened it to hold the saw with a plastic bar cover on it. Works, but sometimes when I pull it out I get the bar cover too, which always aggravates me.

 

[Notforhire]

Spoke with local welding shop and they can make a box for $350 using 3/16 steel. It'll be $100 more than the JD box but will definitely be solid. Am I spending unnecessarily?
Also, anyone using hooks on their box to pull shrubs or are you attaching chain to the back of your tractor?
.

Having a box allows you to change the amount of weight easily. If that's what you want then no, your not spending unnecessarily. If you don't need a box, and can use just a weight like mine, it may be cheaper depending on what kind of junk your welder has lying around. I assume he would be buying the 3/16' stock, so you would be paying "new metal" price. He may only charge you scrap price for otherwise useless pcs. he has lying around.
With my design, it isn't hard to increase the weight, just weld on more scrap. I now have a larger tractor, so I do intend on adding some.Reducing the weight however would be a PITA. Cement blocks are pretty fixed also.

I never put chain hooks on my weight. If I want to tow something I connect using the 2" receiver with a ball or shackle. Hooks arn't a bad idea though. I think they would be handy. If I was going to pull shrubs I would use the drawbar.

Bill

 

[ovrszd]

Having a box allows you to change the amount of weight easily. If that's what you want then no, your not spending unnecessarily. If you don't need a box, and can use just a weight like mine, it may be cheaper depending on what kind of junk your welder has lying around. I assume he would be buying the 3/16' stock, so you would be paying "new metal" price. He may only charge you scrap price for otherwise useless pcs. he has lying around.
With my design, it isn't hard to increase the weight, just weld on more scrap. I now have a larger tractor, so I do intend on adding some.Reducing the weight however would be a PITA. Cement blocks are pretty fixed also.

I never put chain hooks on my weight. If I want to tow something I connect using the 2" receiver with a ball or shackle. Hooks arn't a bad idea though. I think they would be handy. If I was going to pull shrubs I would use the drawbar.

Bill

I don't have any pics now, but I built a weight box using worn out grader blades which are pretty heavy. Designed it so tractor suitcase weights can be racked. Need more weight, add more suitcases, need less, remove some. Also serves as a great place to store my suitcase weights I use on the front of the tractor when the loader is off. I take no credit for thinking that out. Just kinda happened....

 

[Tim13]

As I continue to research and learn I'm noticing that 99% of the ballast boxes I see do not have any pulling capabilities with the exception of a tow receiver. (I have seem some heavy hitches with clevis shackles.) The concern seems to be that pulling is designed for the drawbar which keeps the weight low. Since a 3PH is capable of many tasks including dragging a plow, is it equally capable of pulling shrubs and logs and such as long as I keep the weight low? Or am I going beyond that which is necessary? Would hate to pull the BB apart!

 

[Notforhire]

As I continue to research and learn I'm noticing that 99% of the ballast boxes I see do not have any pulling capabilities with the exception of a tow receiver. (I have seem some heavy hitches with clevis shackles.) The concern seems to be that pulling is designed for the drawbar which keeps the weight low. Since a 3PH is capable of many tasks including dragging a plow, is it equally capable of pulling shrubs and logs and such as long as I keep the weight low? Or am I going beyond that which is necessary? Would hate to pull the BB apart!

View attachment 312889

I think the problem with pulling stumps with the 3PH is that it's in float, with no down pressure. If the front wheels come off the ground the 3ph will go up too. The drawbar is in a low fixed position and would tend to keep the front end down. This would hopefully prevent a flip.
I'm sorry if I have done a poor job explaining how this works.

I put a hitch on my counterweight so that I could move my trailer, or drag my chain harrow without having to remove the weight. Things that are well anchored to the ground I generally try to dig out with the loader.
I have a stump bucket for stumps (duh) and rocks. Brush or bushes I usually remove with a rock bucket, or the standard loader bucket.

Bill

 

[sd455dan]

As I continue to research and learn I'm noticing that 99% of the ballast boxes I see do not have any pulling capabilities with the exception of a tow receiver. (I have seem some heavy hitches with clevis shackles.) The concern seems to be that pulling is designed for the drawbar which keeps the weight low. Since a 3PH is capable of many tasks including dragging a plow, is it equally capable of pulling shrubs and logs and such as long as I keep the weight low? Or am I going beyond that which is necessary? Would hate to pull the BB apart!

View attachment 312889

I can only relate from the two tractors I have but after replacing the rockshaft seals ,you get a good look at the top of the 3 points internal construction , and although fairly strong it is in no way as strong as pulling down low and more solid mounting thru the lower arms and stablizers , at a minimum

plus if your tractor employs draft control are you willing to load test that part of your rockshaft ,when towing or pulling a (shock load) is not out of the question. pulling really should be done thru the
tow bar or some thing that applies the force thru the part of the tractor designed for it down low if you mount it high it will put the force thru the top link and rockshaft -draft control my 02 cents

 

[ededic]

Not sure if you guys have seen this but based on most of the talk being about flexibility, it may meet your needs with the 72# suitcase option. No affiliation with the company just have been doing a lot of research for myself. http://heavyhitch.com/

 

[Notforhire]

Not sure if you guys have seen this but based on most of the talk being about flexibility, it may meet your needs with the 72# suitcase option. No affiliation with the company just have been doing a lot of research for myself. Compact Tractor Attachments & Lawn and Garden Tractor Hitches

Interesting idea and very flexable. I like the fork attachment. The only down side I see is the cost of weights. If you have a small tractor and use suitcase weights now it should work great.

Bill

 

[ededic]

Interesting idea and very flexable. I like the fork attachment. The only down side I see is the cost of weights. If you have a small tractor and use suitcase weights now it should work great.

Bill

So all the creative energy can now be spent making weights in a configuration that hang on this.

 

[jerrybob]

Some great ideas here.......I have a small tractor....needed some weight in back.....added ballast by taking an old washing machine tub....running a bar through it and filling it with rocks. The tub drains well because of all the holes.....guessing it weighs about 300 lbs. Easy to put on and remove. I don't do any pulling with it. Cheap solution to my problem. Don't have a picture.....good luck!:thumbsup:

 

[Xfaxman]

Speaking of flexibility, this one had the most options when I was looking, notice the receiver at the top.


The Carry All on top.


The Carry All on the bottom.


They have one for suitcase weights.
More options here. OMNI Mfg LLC