Front Ballast Question

[Lykele]

I currently own and am using a John Deere 4200 compact utility tractor. I routinely use the 513 rear rotary cutter without any front ballast weights attached and have no problems. Of course, I don't lift it up while sitting on a 45 degree incline either!

I am now considering a purchase of a rear bucket scoop and am concerned about the possible weight and effect on the tractor.

The operators manual tells me the tractor weighs 2600 lbs, but doesn't give me any percentage distribution of this weight that might assist in adding ballast. The only mention of ballast relates to the tires.

So I guess my question is how do you folks calculate ballast for your tractor either front or rear?

While I have your attention ... any experience with the rear bucket scoops. It seems like a practical solution for me and the light horse farm needs.

Thanks for any information you courd provide.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">...percentage distribution of this weight that might assist in adding ballast.... </font>

40% Front- 60 % Rear - Weight Distribution on MFWD (Rule of Thumb)

A simpler way would be anticipate weight to be carried in rear (implement bucket + weight of material to be carried) and add that amount of weight to the front to counter balance/ballast... and vice versa having a loader mounted on the front... to calculate weight for the rear ballast...

Remember the further away from the front or rear this "weight" is added, the dynamics change even more so... by shifting the COG up/down (vert.) and front/back (horz.).../forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif