Snow Is ballast required when using snowblower?

[HeyPops]

I have just installed a JD 54" front mounted snowblower on my 2520 tractor. Normally, I have a 200CX FEL with a 46 backhoe installed so I never worry about ballast (given the weight of the backhoe). With the backhoe and FEL removed for the installation of the 54" snowblower, the question of ballast comes up. Do I need to use ballast with the snowblower? If so, how much weight in a 3PT hitch ballast box be needed?

 

[davesl708]

Ballast will help with traction on the rear wheels and help balance the load on the front. Help reduce the stress on the front wheels.

 

[Looking4new]

^^^^^What he said^^^

 

[KWentling]

I run with 3 100# tractor weights on a homemade 3-point bracket. It is on anytime the backhoe is off. This is on a Kubota BX.

Kim

 

[HeyPops]

Thanks for all the info. I've had the FEL and backhoe installed for 3+ years since I purchased the tractor and am a total noob when it comes to using the 3PT hitch and ballast box. I use some 3PT implements on an Atrillian Quick Hitch Adapter on my FEL since the backhoe is such a hassle to remove/re-install. Picked up the snowblower since the FEL bucket has started to do a number on my driveway (even with a PCV pipe covering the leading edge). Time to find those 3PT hitch links they gave me with the tractor and that dang manual...

 

[beenthere]

Fixing up your 3 ph with a ballast box that works with the JD iMatch quick hitch will give you a lot of possibilities. But don't think (and don't know) your backhoe is iMatch compatible, but if it is that is the very best way to go.

 

[bigtiller]

I don't use any ballast on the 3ph of my nearly identical 2720 and never felt the need for it, but i have a Cozy cab and 2 weights on the axle. I also have 4-link chains on the rear tires and would never move snow without them. If you are considering buying something for ballast, I would spend the money for chains first.

 

[HeyPops]

A JD ballast box was included with the tractor when I purchased it; just never had to use it due to the backhoe being installed. I finally figured out how to install the 3PH arms (although the turnbuckles don't seem to work as I would expect; almost feel like they are cross-threaded on one side since they only turn 1-2 revolutions). I mounted my Speeco quick hitch on the 3PH and will hook up the ballast box on it once I get a top link pin (which I didn't get with the ballast box). I guess I'll start with a bunch of smaller rocks for ballast as I have TONS of those lying around up here in "Rock Hampshire"...

In prior years when I used the FEL to clear the driveway (with backhoe installed), I never had traction issues on the rear wheels. The front wheels would often slid while trying to steer as the bucket filled with snow (I always use 4WD for better traction). Since the snowblower should never be pushing a pile of snow (it should be throwing it!), I don't expect any traction issues.