Today's stupid question: re ballast box

grahamu · Jun 5, 2006

Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

You see, this is the problem with everyone being so helpful; I just keep asking more and more questions /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Having mastered (not) the art of using my rotary cutter after 5 hours in the seat I decided it wa stime to tackle my FEL.

I successfully removed the cutter from the 3PH and went to connect up the ballast box.

Since the lower arms didn't reach down to the ground I actually had to lift the box while I connecetd it up; no problem since it is currently empty but it will be a different story once I get it loaded.

So my question is; how do I then unattach and subsequently reattach a fully loaded ballast box? The only thing I can think of is that I will need to have something 9-12 inches high to stand it on when it is not on the tractor. Am I missing something (quite possibly)?

Thanks,
Graham

grahamu · Jun 5, 2006

Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

You see, this is the problem with everyone being so helpful; I just keep asking more and more questions /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Having mastered (not) the art of using my rotary cutter after 5 hours in the seat I decided it wa stime to tackle my FEL.

I successfully removed the cutter from the 3PH and went to connect up the ballast box.

Since the lower arms didn't reach down to the ground I actually had to lift the box while I connecetd it up; no problem since it is currently empty but it will be a different story once I get it loaded.

So my question is; how do I then unattach and subsequently reattach a fully loaded ballast box? The only thing I can think of is that I will need to have something 9-12 inches high to stand it on when it is not on the tractor. Am I missing something (quite possibly)?

Thanks,
Graham

Toolguy · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I think you have it figured out pretty good. That's what I would do. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Toolguy · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I think you have it figured out pretty good. That's what I would do. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JWE · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I made a dolly for mine (attached picture). If you have a cement floor it works great and it is easy to make.

John

JWE · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I made a dolly for mine (attached picture). If you have a cement floor it works great and it is easy to make.

John

wushaw · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

And in the future when you get a welder to do more projects you can change the height of the ballast box attach points so you won't need a stand to set it on.

wushaw · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

And in the future when you get a welder to do more projects you can change the height of the ballast box attach points so you won't need a stand to set it on.

ovrszd · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

Wow, I'd like to see a picture of that?? Why would they build a ballast box that you can't sit down??? I don't understand???

ovrszd · Jun 5, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

Wow, I'd like to see a picture of that?? Why would they build a ballast box that you can't sit down??? I don't understand???

Lockport · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I keep mine on the half size wooden pallet it came on. That being said, there is an adjustment arm on the 3ph that changes how low it can go. I have never experimented with mine, but I would not be surprised if you could make i hit the floor. At the same time, that might nit be the best idea.

On a side note, you said yours was still empty. I saw a pic of a ballast box on a green tractor. He had four 2"-3" diameter PVC sections about 3' long each that he had embedded in the sand in his ballast box. He used them to transport garden tools, handle side down, rakes, pitchforks, etc.

Lockport · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I keep mine on the half size wooden pallet it came on. That being said, there is an adjustment arm on the 3ph that changes how low it can go. I have never experimented with mine, but I would not be surprised if you could make i hit the floor. At the same time, that might nit be the best idea.

On a side note, you said yours was still empty. I saw a pic of a ballast box on a green tractor. He had four 2"-3" diameter PVC sections about 3' long each that he had embedded in the sand in his ballast box. He used them to transport garden tools, handle side down, rakes, pitchforks, etc.

ronjhall · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I have kept mine ballast box on 2 pieces of 6X6. Last fall I cleaned the barn. When I put the tractor back in the barn I had forgotten to put the 6X6 in place. Box sat all the way down on the floor. I do not know why I used the 6X6's in the first place. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif But I thought it was because I could not get Box hooked up like you are experiencing. You may need to use the tractor a little to get everything loosened up.

ronjhall · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

I have kept mine ballast box on 2 pieces of 6X6. Last fall I cleaned the barn. When I put the tractor back in the barn I had forgotten to put the 6X6 in place. Box sat all the way down on the floor. I do not know why I used the 6X6's in the first place. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif But I thought it was because I could not get Box hooked up like you are experiencing. You may need to use the tractor a little to get everything loosened up.

john_bud · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

There usually are multiple holes in the 3ph lift arm. They are used to connect the arm to the part that does the lifting. Usually, the one farthest from the tractor is used as it gives the most leverage, allowing you to pick up the heaviest stuff. You should be able to move to the holes closest to the tractor and the arms will go much farther down.

So much farther down in fact that the PTO shaft can hit the draw bar and mangle the pto shaft plastic shield (don't ask).

jb

john_bud · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

There usually are multiple holes in the 3ph lift arm. They are used to connect the arm to the part that does the lifting. Usually, the one farthest from the tractor is used as it gives the most leverage, allowing you to pick up the heaviest stuff. You should be able to move to the holes closest to the tractor and the arms will go much farther down.

So much farther down in fact that the PTO shaft can hit the draw bar and mangle the pto shaft plastic shield (don't ask).

jb

Bob_Skurka · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

( I made a dolly for mine (attached picture). If you have a cement floor it works great and it is easy to make.

John )

I welded H.D. casters to the bottom of mine. It elevates it so it is easy to connect, and the casters allow me to roll it into the corner when its not in use.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

( I made a dolly for mine (attached picture). If you have a cement floor it works great and it is easy to make.

John )

I welded H.D. casters to the bottom of mine. It elevates it so it is easy to connect, and the casters allow me to roll it into the corner when its not in use.

grahamu · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

Thanks jb, I'll check that out today. A quick look in the ops manual does show two holes so I'll check that this morning. It will be interesting to see how much difference it makes as in the current holes the bottom of the arms are 6-9" from the ground.

Graham

grahamu · Jun 6, 2006

Re: Today\'s stupid question: re ballast box

Thanks jb, I'll check that out today. A quick look in the ops manual does show two holes so I'll check that this morning. It will be interesting to see how much difference it makes as in the current holes the bottom of the arms are 6-9" from the ground.

Graham