Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast!

   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #91  
Here's mine, I built it way back in 2015 (build thread), still going strong.
I use it all the time.


421282d1429253416-50-gallon-barrel-3-point-3pt_ballast_barrel4-jpg


Easy to empty the barrel (dump the water) then it's all carry-able items.
Plastic barrel is lightweight & tough.
I fill it **full to the top** haven't noticed any problem with water sloshing.
There is some left/right slop in the 3-point hitch though.
And still using a ratchet strap. No improvement there yet (in 4 years).

Incidentally, 400 lbs mounted like this seems to be exactly the right weight for my tractor B2710, 30HP (I think 2600 lbs?).
It keeps the rear wheels on the ground, but with a really-really full bucket I can tell there's not a whole lot more capacity.
So anyway it seems to be loading the tractor just right for my usage (full bucket).

421280d1429253416-50-gallon-barrel-3-point-3pt_ballast_barrel2-jpg


It's lightweight, easy to move around.
YOu can see how light the framework is, .062 thick rectangular steel (1x2s) and then 1/8" angle on the bottom.
I've backed it into trees & banks, lots of times, haven't bent it at all (30 HP tractor).
Tested 4 years, used almost 100% of the time.

421281d1429253416-50-gallon-barrel-3-point-3pt_ballast_barrel3-jpg


I expected that a cross-tie would be needed across the bottom, but it hasn't spread (yet?).
Easy to add one if ever necessary.
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #92  
I’ve posted my take on this issue at other places so you might have seen it before. I made mine out of a 1938 Westinghouse welder housing. The copper was all scrapped but the armature and field coils were put back inside and other scrap to add weight. I installed a hitch receiver and heavy D rings along with a skidder hook. It’s very heavy and works well on my L3830. I don’t think I can tear it up by backing into something. IMG_1294.jpgIMG_1292.jpgIMG_1283.jpg
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #93  
Here's mine. Still have a little work to do to it to clean it up how i want it. About 9.5 60lb bags of quickcrete, and this make a **** of a difference on my bx.
The chainsaw holder turned out better than i thought. Just wished i lined it up even with the toplink.
Now, just clean it up, a little orange paint, and we're ready to go. 20190524_151829.jpeg20190524_154124.jpeg20190524_184727.jpeg20190526_192218.jpeg20190526_192156.jpeg20190526_192319.jpeg20190526_192307.jpeg20190526_192330.jpeg20190526_192344.jpeg20190526_192352.jpeg
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #94  
Here's mine. Still have a little work to do to it to clean it up how i want it. About 9.5 60lb bags of quickcrete, and this make a **** of a difference on my bx.
The chainsaw holder turned out better than i thought. Just wished i lined it up even with the toplink.
Now, just clean it up, a little orange paint, and we're ready to go. View attachment 606487View attachment 606488View attachment 606489View attachment 606490View attachment 606491View attachment 606492View attachment 606493View attachment 606494View attachment 606495View attachment 606497

Actually I like the chainsaw holder offset like that. Probably more user friendly also.
 
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   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #95  
He drives his BX thru the bushes and wants to pull the saw out all banzai from the driver seat.:thumbsup:

A problem I can see is over time dirt can build up in the bottom and might pre-dirt your chain each time.
Or if there was water in the bottom, it could rust the saw.
Or ice could glue it in.

It's feasible to drill a 1" hole into the tip of the scabbard from the side of the barrel.


-------- edit---------

View attachment 606488

oops looks like the scabbard may have a drain?
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #96  
He drives his BX thru the bushes and wants to pull the saw out all banzai from the driver seat.

A problem I can see is over time dirt can build up in the bottom and might pre-dirt your chain each time.
Or if there was water in the bottom, it could rust the saw.
Or ice could glue it in.

It's feasible to drill a 1" hole into the tip of the scabbard from the side of the barrel.


-------- edit---------

View attachment 606488

oops looks like the scabbard may have a drain?
Yea, the scabbard goes into a 2ft piece of pvc that i already had that i baked and molded. The pvc goes all the way through the bottom of the barrel. Scabbard has some holes drilled in the bottom so it will drain.

Now, i guess I'll have to practice my quick draw time
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #97  
I'll probably cut some wood, or figure something out, that i can plug the scabbard while I'm not carrying chainsaw. I won't keep it in there at all times.
 
   / Let's see some homemade 3 point ballast! #100  

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