Quick Hitches YABB (Yet Another Ballast Box)

[JohnDeere4300]

Good job, that's the best one that one that I have seen. Especially the receiver and the compartment on top.

Thanks!

Bill

Nice box.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to build a BB that heavy for a 4300. I think mine is around 1500lbs 16 80lb bags of concrete plus the metal. It would certainly help with traction when scooping up dirt from a pine and such.

Thanks!...

My BB really weighs 1381 lbs... When I was weighing everything, I wrote it all down on paper in my shop and then put it in my notepad on my laptop... I weighed my HF QH, which is 65 lbs., And somehow got mixed up and included that weight!... I need to change it in my signature.

Bill

You might think about rounding/ smoothing off the top inside edge of the pipes. Sharp edges there seem to wear a groove in the wooden handle of tools as they bounce around, & make 'em weaker. Just a little thing to think about, maybe not a big deal.

Thanks for the info'!!!

Now I know why a couple of them have a ''ring around them''!!!

I wish someone would make a sticky on TBN for a one-source complete list of every ballast box idea members have posted. And there people could post pics of their own ballast box, too, so it's all in one thread.

Yeah, That would be nice!!!... It would be easy for members to find them if they was planning to build a BB!

Bill

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

Hilltop Hillbilly,
Did you start building your Ballast Box ??

Yes, It's well underway. In fact, I dropped it off two days ago to get my free batch of concrete poured into it, and I'll be picking it up today.

I didn't take any photos during construction because I only had a very short time each night to work on it, but I'll take a couple photos of the finished product and post them soon. Maybe today!

Thanks again for all your advice! You'll find it looks similar to yours, but not in JD green. ;-)


HH

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I built my BB last year.. It's 2'x2'x2' and weighs 1,446 lbs. without any tools or chain in it!.. I made it to fit my HF Quick-Hitch!

I put 6 pipes to hold rakes etc', chain and I put in a large PVC pipe to hold my chainsaw!... I also made a ''storage box'' so I can put small items in it like wrenches and other tools!... And I put a hitch on the back so I can pull trailers!

Here's a few pictures...(I do have pictures of the whole build)

Bill

Love it! Great job! :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

SPAM reported

 

[yelbike]

SPAM reported

what spam

 

[RoyJackson]

what spam

It was for Viagra...already deleted...

 

[Kioti Tom]

Thanks for keeping an eye out, Roy. It is people like You that make this TBN such an enjoyable forum to be on. Thanks again.

Tom

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Thanks for keeping an eye out, Roy. It is people like You that make this TBN such an enjoyable forum to be on. Thanks again.

Tom

+1

Although, I was glad it was not my post Roy reported.

 

[RoyJackson]

+1

Although, I was glad it was not my post Roy reported.

Guy your age shouldn't need Viagra, Kyle...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Guy your age shouldn't need Viagra, Kyle...

:confused3:

 

[Kioti Tom]

I bought the CNH weight box for 1000 lbs off of ebay. (chest implant-extended welding not recommended) I put 4 Farmall model A rear wheel weights in it. 150 lbs each. box weighs about 155. that gives me the 700 lbs that is recommended. Going to fill spaces with gravel to just above wheel weights. put in board and line with plastic, fill with concrete to top. putting in 2 lift rings so can be removed if not needed. I figure to be able to adjust box weight to what I am doing..
Already noticed the 700 lbs is helping keep the bouncing down like a stabilizer.

Just thought I would keep the thread going, (bored sunday afternoon. rain-)

 

[RoyJackson]

:confused3:

Confused? Why?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Yes, It's well underway. In fact, I dropped it off two days ago to get my free batch of concrete poured into it, and I'll be picking it up today.

I didn't take any photos during construction because I only had a very short time each night to work on it, but I'll take a couple photos of the finished product and post them soon. Maybe today!

Thanks again for all your advice! You'll find it looks similar to yours, but not in JD green. ;-)


HH

Hi HH,

If you have it finished... Why not post a picture of it finished!

You're welcome for any advice that I may have gave you!

Bill

 

[stagelines]

Before I picked up my Kubota ballast box for cheap, I was looking at fabricating my own.

Since I am without access to sheet metal machines it seemed like a better route would be to start with a gang box and then customize it.

Add 3PH mounts, and a receiver tube for a hitch. Myself, I would probably add several receiver tubes around the outside and make my tool caddies modular, interchangeable for the job at hand. Also, your caddies could be usable on other mounts such as your tractor itself, or on your carryall, etc.

Once you have completed all of your customization fill most of the way with concrete and you have enclosed storage at the top.

The design of the Jobox shown in the photo has bottom bolsters that could be your mount point for casters.

These gang boxes are available everywhere used, usually at substantial savings if the paint looks deplorable. Since you are probably going to paint to match your tractor it should not matter much.

 

[NHmitch]

I bought my ballast box used...it already had 600 or so lbs of sand in it. I just never had any reason to change it.

Sand is good to have in there as well, because you can use it in the winter if you become stuck for traction, and you could use it to extinguish a fire, if you didn't have anything else. And, if you have barn cats, wait, the cat part is not a good idea..

 

[42hawkeye]

I like your idea of using the job box Stagelines.

I wasn't really sure where else to post these ballasts that I found on the internet. This first one I found on another website. I forget where I found them, therefore I can't give credit to anyone who designed them.

 

[42hawkeye]

This one I found on the internet as well. It is far from being home-made. Apparently it is available in the UK.
It has a very slick look. I guess we have to give them on the other side of the pond credit for "thinking outside the box".

 

[andy33]

JD4300, that BB you built is great and your pics and info were also. I am going to start rounding up some steel myself! Thx for the ideas.Andy

 

[angustrees]

Following some of the many good tips from this forum, I decided to go with a concrete filled ballast box for the 3PH, to help when the FEL is picking up big loads.

My three requirements are:
1) I want to keep it as tight to the back of the tractor as possible for maneuvering around.
2) It needs to weigh about 1200 lbs to provide adequate counterweight.
3) I want to make it work with my HF quickhitch so I can pick it and drop it easily. I really only need it when working with the grapple. The rest of the time it'll sit on a couple dollies.

I know there's 100 different ways to add ballast (i.e. counterweight), but I talked with a local fabricator and he is willing to build a metal box for $150, and the concrete place across the street from him is willing to fill it up for free with leftover mix, so this turned out to be the easiest way for me to do it.

I drew up a (overly complicated) sketch of the box for the welder, and I'm posting it here for any comments or suggestions before I have it made. Any further thoughts on this much covered topic?


HH

I can't get your drawing to open. Computer tells me this type of file is risky, but even with the risk it will not open. Suggestions???

 

[RoyJackson]

I can't get your drawing to open. Computer tells me this type of file is risky, but even with the risk it will not open. Suggestions???

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you have it (Adobe Reader) and it still doesn't open, you may need to update Reader.