How much should my ballast weigh?

CrashandBurn · Oct 8, 2011

My 3 point ballast project is almost finished. Basically it is 3- 2ft. pieces of sch. 40, 8" pipe standing vertical. I am filling each piece with metal stamping scraps. (very heavy)
My FEL has a rated capacity of 1100 lbs.
The ballast can weigh as much as 800 lbs.

Renze · Oct 9, 2011

How much does your tractor weigh, whats the rear axle and tire weight rating, and what can the 3pt do ?

RoyJackson · Oct 9, 2011

Your tractor's or loader's manual(s) may have ballasting information, so that's the first place to look.
Otherwise, there is a wealth of information on the Internet about ballasting...just do a search. Most will discuss larger tractors then our CUTs, so scale the weight as required.
Here's a starting point:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM2089g.pdf

CrashandBurn · Oct 12, 2011

The tractor manual says you should use ballast for safety but gives no details.
The tractor weights 1960 lbs and the 3 point has a capacity of 1650 lbs at the lift points, and 1200 lbs 24in behind lift points.

RoyJackson · Oct 12, 2011

CrashandBurn said:
The tractor manual says you should use ballast for safety but gives no details.
The tractor weights 1960 lbs and the 3 point has a capacity of 1650 lbs at the lift points, and 1200 lbs 24in behind lift points.

600 lbs would be a good start. If you lose traction, you can add more.

Renze · Oct 13, 2011

CrashandBurn said:
The tractor weights 1960 lbs and the 3 point has a capacity of 1650 lbs at the lift points, and 1200 lbs 24in behind lift points.

Then i wouldnt go over the 800 pounds you estimated in your first post.
The rear end shouldnt be so heavy that it doesnt bounce up anymore when driving through a pothole with the front axle, because then the front axle and tractor chassis has to take the full bounce.

OldMcDonald · Oct 16, 2011

I have never been able to wrap my brain around the US assumption that everything has to be done with a FEL. Why? I admit they can be useful, and I owned a tractor with one attached between 1976 and 1979. There are usually easier and cheaper ways to do things, so why do posters think a FEL is essential?

Beltzington · Oct 16, 2011

I think you answered your question with your user ID; you're OLD McDonald. :laughing:

This is off topic but I think in the US many of us, especially CUTS owners use their tractor for property maintenance not farming. Half of the things I do on my small 8-acres I do with the FEL. This weekend I moved several thousand pounds of tree trimmings preparing burn piles for tomorrow. Moving dirt, firewood, bags of concrete, unloading supplies from trailers etc. Nothing but an FEL would make these tasks easier. I grew up on a farm and worked with and around farming equipment for many years and as you said the FEL was not a key player that it has become in today's rural culture.

Beltzington · Oct 16, 2011

To the original OP question. Try looking in your FEL manual that is where the ballast specific information is for my tractor. For Example:

REQUIRED MINIMUM BALLAST FOR 770, 790 AND 3005 TRACTORS
Ballasta
Fluid-filled rear tires and 280 kg (617 lb) of 3-Point hitch ballastb

REQUIRED MINIMUM BALLAST FOR 3203 TRACTOR
Option Ballasta
1 Fluid-filled rear tires
2 Two rear wheel weights per wheel and 120 kg (260 lb) of 3-Point hitch ballastb
3 200 kg (440 lb) of 3-Point hitch ballastb

plumbstraight · Oct 17, 2011

Personally I think a moderate amount of ballast is ok. But filling tires plus hanging all the three pt will handle is asking for trouble.

Is hard on the geartrain, all the weight is on one bearing in the front axle from the load plus the tractor.

There are a lot of tractors that have been broken in half at the tranny by counterbalancing too much.