Ballast Rear ballast for TC25/29/30/33 with FEL

Mosey · May 2, 2003

When is rear ballast for needed for a TC25/29/30/33 with a FEL and how much weight is needed? That is, do you need it for everything you do with the loader or just real heavy loads? For example, if you have a 5' bucket heaping full of wet dirt, I'm guessing rear ballast is needed, but what if it's just dry sand filled level with the top of the bucket or a half bucket of water.

hazmat · May 2, 2003

Mosey,

With the possible exception of moving mulch around, I'd use the recommended amount of ballast whenever using the FEL. I can't remember if it was in my tractor manual or the FEL manual but it told you how much was required. Even went so far as to tell you what the F/R weight distribution should be with empty bucket.

thcri · May 2, 2003

Mosey,

I am going to agree with Hazmat. I have a 60" bucket and unless I am moving mulch especially with my hills it is a very dangerous situation. I love having the weight on the 3 ph which is easy to take on and off. The wheel weights take some time but I do use them during the winter when I know I would leave them on.

murph

Anonymous Poster · May 2, 2003

Weight on a tractor will help traction.

Weight low to the ground helps to stabilize the tractor - lower is better, both from side rollovers, and keeping the weighted end down.

So, fluid in tires is very popular because it is very low, really stablizes the machine, and is out of the way. Note that antifreeze solutions are lighter than water, while real tire liquids are heavier than water, doing a better job.

Rear wheel weights are nice because you can remove the weights easily when you don't want the weight. But the center of gravity is slightly higher than with fluid.

A rear weight box is mostly only for conter-balancing a loader. In addition to the weight keeping the rear end down, it also acts like a teeter-totter with the rear axle as fulcrum and takes some weight of the front axle. They are popular because you can build them many different ways, add or decrease weight as needed if it's a box, build in storage for tools, chains, shovels, and so on.

Some people just use their heaviest 3-point implement as a rear weight and this works ok, but for me I work in very tight locations and I would not want to be banging up my walls & fences, as well as the implement.

In your case you might want the stability of some fluid (you can go 50% intsead of a full load of 75% fluid) plus get a rear weight box for when the loader is on.

Since my computer locked up while typing this message the first time, I will post it on both your messages. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif By the way, you might be surprised at the weight of a 1/2 bucket of water or level bucket of sand - only did that once without weight on my 1720! Very unstable driving...

--->Paul

Mosey · May 5, 2003

( ... use the recommended amount of ballast whenever using the FEL. I can't remember if it was in my tractor manual or the FEL manual but it told you how much was required.)

Unfortunately, the TC29D manual says to refer to the loader manual and the M246 manual says to refer to the tractor manual. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The tractor manual does list the amounts for the rear wheel weights, which is 150 lbs per side.

Phred · May 5, 2003

Danny,

I agree with the other guys.

About the only time you need a ballast is anytime you are using the loader.... excluding critical tasks like using the loader to carry out the garbage cans /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Fred

Anonymous Poster · May 6, 2003

Mosey: Easiest way (and cheapest!), if you don't have a heavy rear implement, is a "barrel" counterweight. Take a barrel, ram a lower link hitch bar thru it, a place to attach top link and fill with concrete. Will add 600-800 lbs, is easy hook up/drop, doesn't take up much room (when backing). See my post in New Holland/Owning Operating (Search for "Counterweight") with photo. JEH

Mosey · May 6, 2003

( excluding critical tasks like using the loader to carry out the garbage cans /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Fred )

Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can even do that! I was barely able to pick up even this small amount of sand:

See the other post on the general attachments forum:

When is rear ballast needed with a FEL?

John_Mc · May 8, 2003

( Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can even do that! I was barely able to pick up even this small amount of sand

Wow! what's the rating on that loader? It sure seems as though you shoud be able to pick that up with no problem. I know I could with my TC33D w/Woods 1012 loader. If the loader is rated for a decent amount of weight, is it possible your relief valve is set too low?

John Mc

MikePA · May 9, 2003

John, it's not that the loader can't pick up that much sand, it's that the tractor can't pick it up without the back end of the tractor coming off the ground. If you haven't been following the other thread, that might not have been too clear.