Ballast Do I need Ballast?

[KubotaBX1860]

I have owned my new Kubota BX1860 (FEL, Grass catcher, Plow)for less than a week now and I have been trying to learn all I need to know about it. How do I know if I need ballast? The FEL is mainly used as my new wheel barrow and I don't anticipate lifting extremely heavy loads. If I do need ballast what kind is the best? I have been told by some that liquid in the tires is not good for the rims. Would bolt on tire weights offer enough weight? Are bolt on tire weights easily taken on and off?? I would like to hang the weight on the back but the grass catcher will be on most of the year.

Thanks in advance

DJ

 

[Combustix]

If you are not lifting heavy loads you should be okay. You do want some weight on the back to keep the tractor stable. Maybe keep the grass catcher full when moving anything with the FEL.

 

[whistlepig]

I have owned my new Kubota BX1860 (FEL, Grass catcher, Plow)for less than a week now and I have been trying to learn all I need to know about it. How do I know if I need ballast? The FEL is mainly used as my new wheel barrow and I don't anticipate lifting extremely heavy loads. If I do need ballast what kind is the best? I have been told by some that liquid in the tires is not good for the rims. Would bolt on tire weights offer enough weight? Are bolt on tire weights easily taken on and off?? I would like to hang the weight on the back but the grass catcher will be on most of the year.

Thanks in advance

DJ

If the tractor is doing everything you need it to do without ballast I can see no reason to add ballast. I bought a ballast box and chains to help move snow with the FEL. That was a good investment for me.

 

[RaydaKub]

I've had my BX2230 for almost 2 months. I was petrified when I went into a free fall with no weights on a hill. If you have any hill at all, you'll want it. I filled my tires with washer fluid (11 1/2 gallons each). And that wasn't enough. A simple load of landscape rock will convince you.

There are threads all over here discussing ballast.
Avoid calcium chloride - too much rust.
Washer fluid - not as heavy, but resists corrosion.
Water - can freeze if that's a concern.
Rim guard - beat juice - the best. Heavy, doesn't freeze, not poisonous.

Wheel weights are an option, but most are only 50 lbs or less. Not enough for a loader.
Anything heavy hanging on the rear end is good too. Lots of guys use a box scraper.

Happy tractoring and welcome to TBN.

 

[CalG]

Chloride in a tube is a no brainer. cost effective, and efficient.

Actually, chloride in tubeless works fine too, just replace the valve cores when they start to leak.
Steel can not "rust" if deprived of oxygen ;-)

 

[whistlepig]

I wouldn't recommend calcium chloride in tires.

 

[savageactor7]

We work our B model pretty hard and only require ballast for snow removal...mostly for ease and efficiency.

I cobbled this slip on/off tool carrier, in the winter I'll throw either tractor weights of cinder blocks on it makes a huge difference and it's low budget.

Very occasionally you might have the load (not overload) the FEL with something for max 4wd traction...those conditions are rare but it's best to to mindful when they occur.

Nothing more embarrassing when you have to call for help to free up a stuck Kubota due to operator error. But that's all part of the learning curve too. Enjoy your new tractor and may it's productivity be fruitful. :thumbsup:

whoops...you mean ballast as in filled tires?

We use to have filled tires but it didn't work on in our mostly low wet area. Once I put chains on the front we never looked back or ever gave loaded tires a second thought. But for certain applications that can be a useful strategy for getting the job done.

 

[RaydaKub]

I lucked out this weekend. Went to find some weights for my wheels and the guy said he had plates from a broken universal gym. 25 plates, 10lbs each. I bolted them to either side of a 26" drawbar (ok, only 24 of them so far). It is absolutely awesome how much it changed the way it handles. And stayed nice and compact too.

 

[psvines]

I pretty much all the time will attach the rear blade whenever I also attach the FEL. Early on there were too many times that I started tipping, even with only mulch in the bucket. I also have put liquid in the rears, but that is only 80lbs per side.

 

[RoyJackson]

I wouldn't recommend calcium chloride in tires.

Neither would I, but there are a lot of old tractors that have had CaCL in their tires for decades...

 

[Gods Country]

Do yourself a favor and ballast your tractor. Load your tires, and add either a weight box or a heavy implement when using your FEL for anything heavy. You may not see a need right now, but at some point you will be using your tractor for all sorts of tasks you never had previously envisioned. If nothing else your front axle will thank you.:thumbsup:

 

[legbuh]

I agree... a box blade will do the trick and you'll end up using it more than your fel.

 

[jonyyuma]

Recommend some heavy ballast weight, before using the FEL for any serious weight. You front axle will appreciate it and if you have a hill it will save you a 'Roller coaster ride".On a tractor it has a Puckerfactor of "8",and is not very pleasant.

 

[MHarryE]

I had a L3710 for 9 years with no ballast and heavy loader work but I did always have my heaviest blade on the rear when doing serious loader work. If it was real heavy loader work, I attached my bale fork to my 3 pt, stabbed a smaller bale I kept around and used it for counterweight. When I got my L5740 I bought wheel weights. Flat tires happen and about the only nice thing with liquid ballast of any kind when you have a flat is its easy to find the hole. The small quantity of liquid ballast you need for your tractor makes beet juice attractive. The large soil compactors you see on construction sites - smooth or padded drum in front, tires in rear - all have calcium chloride ballast in tubeless tires. Rust isn't a problem - like someone said, no oxygen, no rust. Once the oxygen is depleted from the original inflation, you have a light rust coat inside that doesn't hurt anything. I've never had a valve problem with the stainless steel cores we used which are rated for CaCl2. None of the manufacturers would consider beet juice due to the cost in an extremely price competetive world where it takes 194 gallons of ballast per machine.