Concrete barrel ballast box idea

[cat fever]

Thanks BMan,

Good luck and post some pictures of how it goes.

 

[Msamt]

Cat fever, I went over to that thread and looked at how you constructed your box. That's pretty dang creative man and gave me a good base line on how to build mine. I'm going to still use a plastic 55 gal drum because I have one on hand, it'll be a permanent exterior mold, and I can leave the top several inches open to throw stuff in it. I'll definitely mold a chainsaw scabbard in it, a must since usually if I have that ballast on I'll be clearing place on our land. But this gave me something to go buy to put my 3 pt to the front of the ballast putting the weight farther back. I think you saw some of the stuff I was lifting in my other thread about the tractor, plus when I unload and stack round bales of hay it'll really keep the rear planted.

For what it's worth, I wish I had put in a scabbard, left more room on top for chains, and left out the pvc tool holders (never use em), so I think your onto the ideal design.
MT

 

[cat fever]

I would caution you to put a piece of wood in the scabbard. The concrete will push in and make the scabbard unusable otherwise.

 

[BMan2005]

For what it's worth, I wish I had put in a scabbard, left more room on top for chains, and left out the pvc tool holders (never use em), so I think your onto the ideal design.
MT

If I am it's because of all the people on here sharing there's and just putting it together for my own. This forum is a wealth of knowledge!
I'll still keep some pvc inserts in mine, went to clean the quail house yesterday and had to hold my shovel.

I would caution you to put a piece of wood in the scabbard. The concrete will push in and make the scabbard unusable otherwise.

Glad you mentioned that because I was thinking just to tape the top. Appreciate that.

 

[showcattle]

I made one almost 20 years ago out of a 55 gallon drum. I just put an 1 1/8" round bar through the barrel, but it's above the center of the barrel, and filled it with concrete. This makes it bottom heavy. I never put a top link connection in it. Hook up the two lower arms, raise the barrel, and it rests against the drawbar. Never had any trouble with it like this.

 

[BMan2005]

All supplies are bought, I went with a larger piece of C channel mild steel for the 3 pt hitch hook up. Figured it would give more support for the concrete with a wider foot print. Waiting on my scabbard to be delivered then I'll start the build and share pictures. Looks like I'll save about $150 from the cheapest ballast box I've found after buying the materials.

 

[kwbretired]

When installing a scabbard in your ballast, how do you drain the water out after a rain? Is the scabbard removable?

 

[BMan2005]

When installing a scabbard in your ballast, how do you drain the water out after a rain? Is the scabbard removable?

I've been thinking on this and thought of coating it in wax paper but that won't work because the concrete will form to the mold of the scabbard and still lock it in. So I'm up for ideas on this.

I'm not going to install drains in my concrete as I would see that as a week spot for cracking, maybe I'm wrong thinking this? My pvc pipes will be mounted to the back outside of the barrel with clamps screwed into the barrel so no need to drain them. Other option is just use my loader to tip the drum if it rains on it and lift back up using a strap.

 

[coherent]

I was planning on building a ballast box myself and saw a bunch of great ideas on the forum when I checked out the titan implements ballast box. For a couple hundred and free shipping it's actually made very well and includes a hitch receiver tube. Mounted to my HF quick connect without issues. For those who don't have the desire or as in my case the time to build one, it's a cheap option for a nice ballast.

 

[BMan2005]

Yeah I looked at those, they look nice especially for the price as good as a higher priced one.

Back to the drawing board on mine. Barrel is to narrow for my 3pt to run the hook up out the front of the barrel, so probably building a wood mold for it.

 

[lennyzx11]

Here's mine. About 650 lbs currently but going to put a few more disks (64lbs each) on the all threads. Hence the long length sticking out. I'll prob put a few of the disks on top this time to keep it compact as possible.
Fast hookup and drop!

 

[Eric102]

I was planning on building a ballast box myself and saw a bunch of great ideas on the forum when I checked out the titan implements ballast box. For a couple hundred and free shipping it's actually made very well and includes a hitch receiver tube. Mounted to my HF quick connect without issues. For those who don't have the desire or as in my case the time to build one, it's a cheap option for a nice ballast.

Yup, just got one as well, a real bargain in my opinion.

 

[Baby Grand]

View attachment 522993

Here's mine. About 650 lbs currently but going to put a few more disks (64lbs each) on the all threads. Hence the long length sticking out. I'll prob put a few of the disks on top this time to keep it compact as possible.
Fast hookup and drop!

That's a great solution with low CG & easy on/off!
What are those disks - wheel spacers, free weights?

 

[crazyal]

I would just mount the scabbard to the side or top vs having it inside the cement. While I haven't mounted it yet I made one out of two 3/4" thick plastic cutting boards. I just used my table saw to cut a groove in each board and bolted them together so the grooves form a slot for the bar to fit into. The plastic is softer than wood but designed to resist being cut by a knife so it should work well.

 

[BMan2005]

Started my build this evening after work & pretty much finished with the frame to the ballast. I was going to just build a custom box using plywood but I didn't have quite enough for the frame and wouldn't make since to buy any and add more cost to the box so I ended up thinking about it used the barrel. After some measuring and thinking about the final build I got started cutting. I kept the top to the barrel where I cut it out, think I'm going to buy a hinge, and add a weather seal to use it to keep the elements (rain) from getting in my top storage I'll be leaving. Going to use some scrap wood to fabricate it up before filling with concrete. More pics to come & appreciate these ideas!

 

[2458n]

You want a drain for everything going into the concrete. Water and below freezing temperatures equals poor mans dynamite.

 

[BMan2005]

So you think I should drill some random drain holes in the barrel after the concrete has cured also?

 

[BMan2005]

Ready for concrete

 

[BMan2005]

Finished pouring concrete, 11- 80lbs bags. This left room in the top for tools & chains if needed. I decided to put the pipe for my rakes & shovels, & scabbard for my chainsaw on the outside to keep from needing drains after everyone's advise.

How long do I need to let it set before moving so I can paint it?

 

[cat fever]

I think I waited about a week before moving it to paint and a month before actually using it for work.

Looks good, you'll enjoy it.