Ballast with LA211 on BX2230

TDiPatrick · Mar 31, 2005

Still looking for the right deal on a 2230. Got a quote from Lashley Tractor today, but it didn't include any ballast to go with the loader. The salesman said it wasn't necessary - the tractor is "well balanced". Of the other two quotes, one dealer included weights and the other filled the rear tires with anti-freeze. Is rear ballast necessary with the FEL?

Thanks!
Patrick

MessickFarmEqu · Mar 31, 2005

IMO, yes.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 31, 2005

In one word YES. Loaded tires on a BX do not add that much weight. If you plan to move anythig with a FEL you need to add a weight box. You can make your own or buy one.

I have loaded tires and I still use a weight box. Another option is a rear blade, tiller or anything you can hang on the back of the 3 point.

Av8r3400 · Mar 31, 2005

Yup. That's why I bought the box blade. Before I had it, I nearly stood the little bugger on its nose a couple of times.

I don't think that af in the tires would be enough anyway. You'd need a weight box, blade or box blade on the back to balance any dirt work with the FEL.

If you're just moving leaves or feathers you'd be fine with nothing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mayhem · Mar 31, 2005

YES!
My BX2200 had to have it. It was very unstable without something for weight. Don't use antifreeze, not good if you should get a leak. I use windshield washer fluid, but there are other options safer than that. putting something on the back is an option also,I find that just the loaded tires is enough if your takin it easy.

TDiPatrick · Mar 31, 2005

OK - I thought it sounded a bit funny since two of three recommended some sort of weight. Any suggestions on how much weight is necessary?

jim_wilson · Mar 31, 2005

Loading the rear tires is good to add stability to the tractor but it is not enough weight when you are using the loader. If you are just lifting light loads on a level surface just the loaded tires might be enough but anything more than that you need more weight. With the backhoe on my BX23 I think it feels well balanced when doing FEL work - and that is about 600 pounds. With the box blade on the back it feels good too and that is about 500 pounds. The rear blade is about 270 and I don't think it feels as stable.
If you are going to load the rear tires there are 6 options as far as I know:

- water - cheap but freezes if you get temps that low, also does not add as much weight as other options
- antifreeze - pretty cheap but is poisonous if it leaks and is not as dense as other options - freezing is not a problem
- windshield washer fluid - again pretty cheap but probably less dense than water (there is alchohol in many washer fluids) and can be poisonous. Also prone to freezing if temp gets low enough
- calcium chloride - doesn't freeze but will rust steel rims, poisonous if it leaks and is more expensive than previous options. Adds more weight because it is denser
- beet juice or Rimguard - not poisonous if it leaks, can be somewhat expensive, high density so it adds more weight than other options, not prone to freezing except at extreme low temps, will not rust rims. This is what I put in my BX23.
- foam fill - doesn't leak, can be expensive, prevents flats, can't be removed once inserted into to tire, tires have to be cut off rims.

I would load the tires and add weight on the back when using the FEL.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 31, 2005

I have both tires loaded, about 160 lbs and about 350-400 lbs in the weight box. No problem with a full load in the FEL. Just keep the FEL low, a few inches off the ground when moving a heavy load. Even with a lot of weight in the back, she will tip if you raise it too high and hit a hole.

JWE · Mar 31, 2005

When I bought my BX2200 I did not get a ballast box. I decided to use my 300+ pound tiller and it did provide enough weight. However, because of its size, it limited maneuverability in tight areas. It was also a little bit of a nuisance to install and remove. I ended up buying a ballast box and I am glad that I did.

John

surfran · Apr 1, 2005

If memory serves me correctly the Kubota weight box recommends 300 lbs for BX. As others have pointed out, you don't have to have a weight box, it could also be a rear implement providing the ballast.

I would not use the loader for anything other than very light work without rear ballast unless you want to take an exciting ride.

Good luck on your purchase.

ByronBob · Apr 1, 2005

The weight box is a B8120. It itself weights about 100 pounds. It says the weight capacity max in the box is 300 pounds. Without it on the tractor you can move dirt but very carefully. But with it you can do anything the tractor is capable of lifting.

Remember if your moving heavy material with the FEL keep the loader as low to the ground as you can. In the event it starts to tip on you the FEL will bottom out and not tip you over. I learned the hard way after changing my shorts 1 time. There is no reason to transport things over your head until your ready to dump it.

It your moving mulch don't bother but if gravel or dirt I'd get one now.

TDiPatrick · Apr 1, 2005

( The weight box is a B8120. It itself weights about 100 pounds. It says the weight capacity max in the box is 300 pounds. Without it on the tractor you can move dirt but very carefully. But with it you can do anything the tractor is capable of lifting. )

Any idea what the price of B8120 is?

Thanks!
Patrick

ByronBob · Apr 1, 2005

About $125.

LBrown59 · Apr 1, 2005

( Still looking for the right deal on a 2230. Got a quote from Lashley Tractor today, but it didn't include any ballast to go with the loader. The salesman said it wasn't necessary - the tractor is "well balanced". Of the other two quotes, one dealer included weights and the other filled the rear tires with anti-freeze. Is rear ballast necessary with the FEL?

Thanks!
Did you get a price from Hurst Tractor Sales in Marietta Ohio?

Patrick )

TDiPatrick · Apr 1, 2005

( Did you get a price from Hurst Tractor Sales in Marietta Ohio? )

That's a bit far afield for me, since I'm in the Atlanta area. Trying to buy locally - now if Hurst was in Marietta, GA... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

LBrown59 · Apr 1, 2005

( Loading the rear tires is good to add stability to the tractor but it is not enough weight when you are using the loader. If you are just lifting light loads on a level surface just the loaded tires might be enough but anything more than that you need more weight.

 With the backhoe on my BX23 I think it feels well balanced when doing FEL work - and that is about 600 pounds. )
**************
 Even then you can still feel the tractor rock when using the FEL. So I would not go less than 500 or 600 pounds.
I prefer wheel weights and or rear weights over filled tires as this can be added or removed where you don't have this option with filled tires. 
..

LBrown59 · Apr 1, 2005

( ( Did you get a price from Hurst Tractor Sales in Marietta Ohio? )

That's a bit far afield for me, since I'm in the Atlanta area. Trying to buy locally - now if Hurst was in Marietta, GA... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

We also have a Lashley Tractor Sales here about 40 or 50 miles from me.

When you said Lasley tractor I thought you might be from this area and wondered why you didn't check out Hurst being that they are so close together.

I looked under your profile but you didn't state where you're located.

Please complete your info in the profile.

It really helps people trying to respond to folks post. Thank you.