Rear Ballast Gentlemen, Rear Ballast

[k0ua]

I made the barrell weight, from a $9 55 gallon barrell, with a $26 drawbar, from Tractor Supply. then took a piece of 5/8 allthread bolted thru the drawbar and welded to the rear reciever hitch. then welded rebar on angle to the drawbar and also to the reciever hitch to strengthen it on an angle. the bolted 4 inch angle iron to the drawbar up to the top for a place for the top link to go thru. (between the 2 angle iron pieces). I did not need 4 inch, but it was in the junk pile, and it was what I had handy. I put a layer of 2 inch rock in the bottom. to hopefully make some air space for water to collect if any came down from the 3 2 inch PVC tubes I installed vertically. for shovel/broom/rake handles. then bolted on some hooks for hanging buckets on the outside. filled the whole thing up to about 8 inches below the top with concrete for room to carry other items. The top link goes thru a slot, which is also a drain area for the top 8 inches if left out in the rain. I will try to get the camera out and take pix later.
James
K0UA

 

[Famah]

That would be great. Thank you.

 

[jb62901]

Picked up this unit last fall from a Guy who said he had no use for it, was new and never used. Cost Me 25 bucks just fill it with rocks as needed +/-.

http://i34.tinypic.com/21e6g79.jpg

 

[blueberryman]

When I made my counter weight I got a 55 gal plastic drum cut the top out. I then got a drawbar from tractor supply, cut holes about halfway up the barrel and slide the drawbar thought. I then welded a 4x4 tube onto the drawbar after I cut holes and the back out so the top link would fit. Filled it with concrete about 6 inches below the top. After it setup I drilled 1/2" holes at the cement line to let any water out.

The cement being down inside the drum makes for a great place to keep a chain and the water drains out .

 

[Runner]

...and also, DON'T forget the FRONT ballast....

 

[k0ua]

Famah, here are the pix you requested.

James
K0UA

 

[Timber]

This is mine, It is over 800 lbs. It sits in nice and close and has no top link.

 

[montyhp]

Famah, here are the pix you requested.

James
K0UA

I am totally stealing that idea!

Montyhp

 

[Marveltone]

Famah, here are the pix you requested.

James
K0UA

Very nicely done! I'm also thinking of a barrel weight with top storage.

 

[Ford tractor]

This is mine, It is over 800 lbs. It sits in nice and close and has no top link.

Interesting, looks like it adds a good amount of weight. Does it swing around an bang the tractor? That would be my concern seeing it doesn't have a top link.

 

[Timber]

Interesting, looks like it adds a good amount of weight. Does it swing around an bang the tractor? That would be my concern seeing it doesn't have a top link.

No it doesn't swing or bang at all. It settles in between the 3 point and stays put. The barrel has a nice lid and I store all my chain in the top. I use it mostly when I am plowing snow or doing a lot of fork work

 

[Famah]

Thanks for the pics, James. Everything looks pretty straightforward to me except for the top link connection. I am pleased to hear Timber say that she has no problems operating a very similar contraption without a top link. I guess it has to do with placement of the draw bar. If it is high enough, the barrel will not be very tipsy. That, plus having it in close to the 3 pt so there is little room for movement should do the trick. Nicely done, both of you.

Nick

 

[k0ua]

Famah, your welcome. It was fun to build. (with the exception of the welding inside the barrel, with your head stuck in it) The barrel without the concrete weighed about 100 lbs with all the metal I put in it. I used the 4 inch angle-iron, but 2 inch would be fine, I just had the 4 inch in the junk pile. I used a Bosch hole saw for all the hole drilling, and my Bosch jigsaw with an 18tpi blade for the sawing. I used the excell spreadsheet someone posted here a while back, to figure the 3 ph geometry. I did not want the barrel to tip forward with rakes and shovels in the pipe holders and hit me in the head:laughing: It goes up and down pretty straight.:thumbsup:
good luck
James
K0UA

 

[urednecku]

Somebody say "rear ballast?" Old water tank, cut top off, couple holes for chain to come thru (just to hold it on), fill with any scraps of iron, old nuts, bolts, anything heavy, fill with your choice of cheap cement. No idea of the weight, but esp with it that far behind the tires the back end of my 'Bota squate when she picks it up. Total invested? about 3 or 4 bags of quick-crete & about an hour to put it together.

Of course the rear tires are 3/4 full of water, too.

 

[andy33]

Famah, your welcome. It was fun to build. (with the exception of the welding inside the barrel, with your head stuck in it) The barrel without the concrete weighed about 100 lbs with all the metal I put in it. I used the 4 inch angle-iron, but 2 inch would be fine, I just had the 4 inch in the junk pile. I used a Bosch hole saw for all the hole drilling, and my Bosch jigsaw with an 18tpi blade for the sawing. I used the excell spreadsheet someone posted here a while back, to figure the 3 ph geometry. I did not want the barrel to tip forward with rakes and shovels in the pipe holders and hit me in the head:laughing: It goes up and down pretty straight.:thumbsup:


James
K0UA

James ,what was the final weight? Sorry if you already stated it but i didnt see it. Great build by the way! Andy
good luck

 

[k0ua]

James ,what was the final weight? Sorry if you already stated it but i didnt see it. Great build by the way! Andy
good luck

750 Lbs.. I could use about 350 more, Now with a larger tractor, but it is working pretty well.

James K0UA

 

[johndeere4720]

My 4100 gets 450 pounds, the 4720 gets around 2000 pounds, and the 6430 gets 4000 pounds.

 

[andy33]

Just the few days I have been playing around with the new tractor , and reading up on ballast I can see I need weight on the back. I really have not tried digging or loading rock just pushing brush,logs. Going to get my barrel and get started.

 

[TMB1320]

Picked up this unit last fall from a Guy who said he had no use for it, was new and never used. Cost Me 25 bucks just fill it with rocks as needed +/-.

http://i34.tinypic.com/21e6g79.jpg

That looks like a real got start on a portable crane. Put a door, wench in there, chains, pulleys, etc

 

[chasbar]

If all four (4 )tires have water in them is this not ok.What is the proper procedure to put water in the tires,they are turf tires