Ballast weight

[PEJ5]

Kioti owners:

I have a DK5010HS with a KL5510 loader (2600 lb lift cap.). I have pallet forks, oh, and loaded tires (880 lbs). I am without an owners manual that may describe proper ballast amounts.

I need to move logs, large rocks, and gravel on a 10% to 15% grade in amongst a heavily treed property. I have built a steel structure and forms for a 3pt ballast and have to decide how much concrete. My original design was 1200 lbs, but I can easily go to 1500 lbs. I want to pour this week if possible.

What do you recommend - 1200, 1500, or some other amount?

Thanks all.

Peter

 

[justman777]

If your soil will support it, I'd go with 1500 lbs or more and fill the rear tires. I have around 1100 lbs of ballast and partially loaded rears and the rear still gets light really quick. I could load up the tires, but I'm in very, very sandy soil and loaded tires would cause a LOT of ruts and sink right in.

 

[JimR]

Go high to help even out the front weight when carrying that kind of weight in the front loader.

 

[jeff9366]

Go low to maintain the lowest center-of-gravity possible, minimizing risk of a tractor rollover with max FEL load occasionally lifted above 50% of height potential.

 

[oosik]

Peter - due to liability issues, I doubt ANY Owners manual will give suggested 3-point ballast weight recommendations. However - I would start with 1200 pounds. The design of your 3-point steel structure should keep the weight as low as possible( jeff9366 ). If you find that more is needed - it can always be added later.

 

[justman777]

By "low", I'm presuming most folks mean "low to the ground" vs. high off the ground. A higher weight situated closer (lower) to the ground would be ideal. Of course, if you go to low to the ground, you limit your ground clearance. Have to figure out what works best for you and your terrain.

 

[PEJ5]

Thanks for all the advice. I decided to go for a 30" tall block notched out for the top link. The concrete should weigh 1200+ and the steel is about 75. As suggested, I can always add a layer at the back. The forms are at the concrete ready-mix facility for a fill up. I'll add pictures when it is done.

Peter

 

[justman777]

Great idea getting it filled at the ready-mix place. I got tired real quick of mixing all those bags of concrete.

 

[Rebeldad1]

So whats the working capacity of weight for the front axle? They can break as well.

 

[justman777]

So whats the working capacity of weight for the front axle? They can break as well.

Not sure, but i think it may be posted on the Kioti corporate site. They have all the specs there for the different series of machines.