Lifting safe - Ballast Box needed?

[Alan46]

Received call this morning, if all goes as planned the safe will be here late tomorrow.

Thanks for the clarification on the H165 vs 320R. I was beginning to wonder if I had an inferior loader that JD discontinued, was glad to find out its similar to the 320R.

How much is the lift gate service? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[crashz]

The cutter will work fine as ballast. And IF it feels too light, its easy to throw nearly anything on the deck to weigh it down further.

Even if you add another 100lbs for packing materials and pallet, this should be a reasonable lift for your tractor. But the ballast makes it safe, and easier on the front axle. Go slow and smooth, and get it to the ground. When you move it, keep it low. If you can't see, get a spotter to direct you.

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

Attach a counter weight to the 3pt hitch. You must have a mower or something like a scraper back there. Otherwise why would you have a tractor?

Have you calculated the size of the FEL relative to the size of the gun safe? How do you know it will fit in the FEL?

Lifting the safe upright? It will be extremely top heavy. Too much tilt on the FEL might drop the safe into your lap, or onto the ground if not super careful.

This task will be super easy if you have forks. I have forks on my tractor and they get used frequently. A very handy thing to have.

You mentioned buying a counter weight for the back. Doesn’t that defeat the original objective of saving money on the delivery?

 

[RoyJackson]

You mentioned buying a counterweight for the back. Doesn’t that defeat the original objective of saving money on the delivery?

I'm sure the ballast (counterweight) will have multiple uses...consider it an investment

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

I'd recommend getting a backhoe for the rear.

That’s the best advice so far!

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

I'm sure the ballast (counterweight) will have multiple uses...consider it an investment

Or a flail mower, or box scraper. Excellent counter weights.

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

If ballast/balance are in doubt, this is important, if it's a 2WD tractor, it will spin before being a hazard going backward. But if you're in 4WD and back up too quickly, that can tip the balance. I like the idea you're going to use ballast. As I get old, I find myself pausing and thinking a lot more than when I was young. I think to myself: Will it be quicker to do it safely noe, than to fix it after I get back form hospital later? So I stop and do it the most safe way I can think....

With age, comes experience.
With experience, comes wisdom.

 

[HAR]

Do you have a tractor and no rear attachments whatsoever? Just put something on the back.

But barring the limited details, there are too many variables to answer this question...
We dont know if the tires are loaded
We dont know if you are using bucket and strapping the safe
OR if you have clamp on pallet forks
OR if you have actual quick attach forks
OR if the area is even level where this lift needs to take place.

But, do you have any implements for the rear of the tractor at all? If so, why even question it. Put something on. There is ZERO harm having something on the back while unloading. But how are things gonna go and whats it gonna cost if your tractor WONT lift it, and you have to take the time to then attach something, or worst case, have to reschedule a delivery?

LD1 brings up many good points in his reply. All should be answered.

Remember. There are certain laws of physics that must be obeyed or you risk serious damage, injury, or death!

When a loader is added to any tractor, you have already added front weight to a 'previously neutral system'. You have also moved the center of gravity (COG) of a 'once neutral system' closer to the front wheel pivot point. You loader 'capacity' is based upon any load being centered in the bucket. If you have bolt/clamp on pallet forks, you have moved your load COG out further from the center of the bucket and for every inch/foot that the load COG moves forward, you are reducing the total load that your tractor can physically lift. If you have quick attach forks, you are somewhat better off, but not by much. When using your loader, rear counter balance is always recommended. Use of either a loader or forks on any slope is not safe and definitely is not recommended. And, as has been previously mentioned, once your load is clear of any obstruction (truck deck/loading dock) slowly lower the load as close to the ground as soon as possible, to reduce any issues with tipping about any axis.

 

[kyryder]

I spend time here, mostly reading and learning. Have learned a lot and really appreciate those who post and assist.

I hope I have the correct place for this question, if not I apologize. I am having a gun safe being delivered next week and have opted to lift it off the delivery truck myself to reduce the delivery cost (they won't have to bring a fork lift with them). I'll then need to position it in the garage I've built out for cars, motorhome, etc.

I have a cabbed JD 3046R with an H165 loader, and wondering two things.

First, will that the 3046R with H165 loader be able to lift it off a larger delivery truck ... safely?

Second, assuming it can lift it, should I attach a ballast box before unloading? I don't have one yet but will purchase one before if needed.

The shipping dimensions of the safe are listed as 63.33 H x 42.79 W x 28.00 D, and the weight is around 750 lbs.

Many thanks,

Jim

 

[SonomaCountyGentleman]

The one benefit of a back hoe as ballast is that if you really get yourself mired in, you can grab a bucket load, and stretch it way out, then the front end gets really light, while you try to wiggle yourself out of the mess you drove yourself into . But, on the whole, I agree, for compact tractors, I'm not a back hoe fan, I find the separate excavator much more useful. By having two machines, when you get one stuck, you have the other to get it out with (or get stuck too!)

You can frequently use the FEL to lift the front end out of being stuck. Then, as you said, you can use the backhoe to lift up the back end from being stuck. Swing the backhoe to move the back end out of the mud.

Or, while both ends are up in the air, you can use your other tractor to deliver a load of gravel to the mess you are stuck in. Then lower both ends and drive yourself out. LOL.