Rear Ballast

[armylifer]

Here is a picture of what my neighbor is using for rear ballast on his BX2350. He was going to throw away this old beer barrel. I saw it in his garage one day and I suggested to him that he could turn it into a counter weight for his tractor. Here is what he came up with. He filled it with 200 lbs of sand. The empty barrel weighed about 40 lbs so all together it probably weighs 245 lbs.

 

[jkcolo22]

Not pretty but I guess it’s functional. I would have incorporated some stands. Is that 2x4 supposed to be a spacer...? Still looks like there is a lot of side to side play... which could end up counteracting the stabilizing effect of ballast.


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[armylifer]

Not pretty but I guess it’s functional. I would have incorporated some stands. Is that 2x4 supposed to be a spacer...? Still looks like there is a lot of side to side play... which could end up counteracting the stabilizing effect of ballast.


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I pointed those little flaws out to him too. He is going to make the adjustments that I suggested to him. He just wanted to show me what he had done so far, and to let me critique it for him. I posted it for a little bit of humor and to show that one man's throwaway is another man's treasure.

 

[jkcolo22]

I pointed those little flaws out to him too. He is going to make the adjustments that I suggested to him. He just wanted to show me what he had done so far, and to let me critique it for him. I posted it for a little bit of humor and to show that one man's throwaway is another man's treasure.

It is a little bit humorous. We all have to start somewhere. [Reminds me of my “fab” projects several years ago before I learned to weld and could actually make what I wanted without forcing wood into a metal project. I’m by no means a pro, but I’ve come a long way with a lot of help and ideas from this forum]


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[armylifer]

The neighbor whose tractor I posted is a 75 year old city boy who moved out to the country when he retired from the USPS. He is a Vietnam Veteran and a great friend of mine. He never drove a tractor or operated anything heavier than a mail truck before. I help him out with his projects and give him some ideas for tractor operating. I let him run with whatever ideas we have kicked around, and then give him little suggestions as the projects progress. He gets to feel like he has accomplished something and has some fun to boot.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I pointed those little flaws out to him too. He is going to make the adjustments that I suggested to him. He just wanted to show me what he had done so far, and to let me critique it for him. I posted it for a little bit of humor and to show that one man's throwaway is another man's treasure.

It would be even better if it was beer filled and taped to provide refreshment during to long hard day of tractor work!

 

[armylifer]

It would be even better if it was beer filled and taped to provide refreshment during to long hard day of tractor work!

That was his idea too.

 

[Lil Foot]

It would be even better if it was beer filled and taped to provide refreshment during to long hard day of tractor work!

Probably not a good idea- as his ballast decreased, so would his coordination & judgement.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Probably not a good idea- as his ballast decreased, so would his coordination & judgement.

AWWWW good point... Been there done that!

 

[jkcolo22]

Probably not a good idea- as his ballast decreased, so would his coordination & judgement.

Hahaha. Love this back and forth.


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[armylifer]

Probably not a good idea- as his ballast decreased, so would his coordination & judgement.

True, but would one really care at that point?

 

[D2Cat]

All I can say is if a 75 year old gets out and does much of anything creative, especially if it's a new skill set for him, he's head and shoulders above most. Perfection isn't the issue.

 

[armylifer]

I agree with you. That is why I do whatever I can to help him with his projects. He gets to play and occupy himself and get a new skill set to boot.

 

[Bucky Badger]

Is that a 3/4 or 1 inch threaded rod?

 

[armylifer]

That is 3/4" threaded rod.

 

[RCW]

Wow, that’s beautiful in my book.
Moved 100’s of those in my younger days..[emoji41]


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[North Idaho Wolfman]

Wow, that’s beautiful in my book.
Moved 100’s of those in my younger days..[emoji41]

Moved or Consumed?

 

[RBA50]

Ya gotta move 'em before ya can consume 'em!

 

[bearbait]

That would be just a summer time ballast but then again how much whiskey would it take to fill a keg?

 

[armylifer]

Here is a picture of the finished product. All that's missing is the mug.