Low cost rear ballast options

[TRUCK3]

I need to come up with a low cost rear ballast option when using my FEL on my BX2680. I have been just leaving my box blade or even my tiller on the 3 pt. I'd rather have something taking up less space though, the box blade and tiller can get in the way in tight quarters.

Anything with weights seems to be an expensive option. I'm leaning toward picking up a used ballast box. The LP WB10 weighs 100 lbs itself - holds 4 cu ft. Crushed stone weighs about 100 lbs/cu ft, so that would max out a WB10 at 500 lbs. The BB1254 that I have weighs 325lbs which seems to work ok, so the ballast box at 400 lbs should be enough. The ballast box has it's weight some closer to the 3 pt, so I would need more than the 325 lbs to have the same effect.

My rear tires are filled, so I have that already.

Any other low cost option I'm missing?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

carryall and a skid with a box on it,you fill with 'ballast'. I have 2 skids, light and heavy. light for mulch/compost loads, heavy for dirt/gravel/patio stones.
install carrayall then slide up light or heavy as required

 

[jimh406]

You can buy used ballast boxes for about $200 on Amazon. The advantage is how short they are for the potential weight added. Note: they may not be QH compatible. The carry alls are a bit wider, and you probably need to add a floor.

 

[old and tired]

I welded up a 3 point "carry all". Great project to learn to weld, used scrape angle iron... Did not plan on it (basically a "Happy Accident") that a 55 gallon drum was a great fit!!! I first started out making a carry-all but I wanted to be able to drop my tools off and be able to drive the tractor.

I needed a counter weight and since the 55 gallon drum fits, I filled it with old, dried bags of concrete (neighbor wanted them gone!) One strap later, it's good to go!!! The drum now had the PVC pipes removed, filled the rest of the space to the top with rocks, and used a manhole cover on the very top (also prefect fit!!) No photo of the final drum may be one day.

 

[TRUCK3]

Thanks, didn't think of a carry-all; if I can keep it compact, might be better than a ballast box since I could get more uses out of it

 

[old and tired]

....might be better than a ballast box since I could get more uses out of it.

Like a sprayer? I mounted this sprayer to be in sections onto the carryall frame. It takes a little longer to assemble but it disassembles for easy cleaning and storage!!!

 

[Dchemphill1]

I use a carry all. Built up the sides and back of a pallet. Stacked concrete blocks and assorted rocks, old brake rotors, etc.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

I bought a rear lift frame and cast a 300 pound concrete weight. It’s reversable so I can attach a ripper tooth into the 2” receiver. Total cost was $60 with sackrete and the receiver from Temu.

 

[Wooddog63]

I bought a rear lift frame and cast a 300 pound concrete weight. It’s reversable so I can attach a ripper tooth into the 2” receiver. Total cost was $60 with sackrete and the receiver from Temu. View attachment 152063

That’s awesome- and great weight for the ripper like you mentioned. I saw at a place I snowmobiled in Maine a guy took the barrel route and added U bolts drilled into the sides and embedded the long threads into the placed concrete. This was to hold shovels and rakes and chainsaw saber. The bottom he bolted a quartered tire cut in half for the handle ends to sit in. Some times what one thinks is cheap and ugly is innovative and serves the purpose

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I am always impressed with the ingenuity y'all have when there is a post about ballast boxes.

It makes me ashamed that I bought one.

But here are some other things you can add to it when you settle on a design.

I'm especially proud of the vise,....too bad I have never actually needed it in the field....only in the pole barn.

 

[TRUCK3]

I bought a rear lift frame and cast a 300 pound concrete weight. It’s reversable so I can attach a ripper tooth into the 2” receiver. Total cost was $60 with sackrete and the receiver from Temu. View attachment 152063

Nice idea, I was thinking about something like this - I have a 3 pt receiver and initially was thinking welding a used weight frame to it. Costs of weights eliminated that. I was thinking about casting it in concrete - 2 cu ft. would give you about 300 lbs which seems about what this is.

Great ideas - and cheap!

 

[Wooddog63]

I am always impressed with the ingenuity y'all have when there is a post about ballast boxes.

It makes me ashamed that I bought one.

But here are some other things you can add to it when you settle on a design.

I'm especially proud of the vise,....too bad I have never actually needed it in the field....only in the pole barn.

View attachment 152083

That’s awesome as well! Never say never on the vice- even to lock the chainsaw in to tune up the teeth

 

[Xonk]

I use a big old gum log on my carryall

 

[fried1765]

I bought a rear lift frame and cast a 300 pound concrete weight. It’s reversable so I can attach a ripper tooth into the 2” receiver. Total cost was $60 with sackrete and the receiver from Temu. View attachment 152063

Nice job!

 

[chim]

Barrel, drawbar (runs through), concrete, PVC verticals with a larger horizontal header for cleanout and a milk crate for parts 'n pieces.

 

[Tim Horton]

I contemplated several options for rear ballast and had several drawings of homemade options in my ...good ideas... notebook... Would not spend the money for a store bought and didn't get around to a DIY project..

I usually had the snowblower on the 3 point or used my 5' box blade for ballast that I could hang 4-6 suit case weights of 42lb each on. Worked well enough..

My 5 cents of experience..

 

[Gaspasser]

I am always impressed with the ingenuity y'all have when there is a post about ballast boxes.

It makes me ashamed that I bought one.

But here are some other things you can add to it when you settle on a design.

I'm especially proud of the vise,....too bad I have never actually needed it in the field....only in the pole barn.

View attachment 152083

Hey Runs. The vise is a great idea. I'd use it to sharpen saw chains in the field.

 

[Mikeymotorbikey]

I scrounged around and found enough junk to make this. No dollars spent!!!
Well, the lower pins were purchased new at some point, found them in my spare parts bin.
Weighs 400# and fits close to the rear of the machine. It's enough to keep the backend from feeling light when the bucket is full of sand, so mission accomplished.
Plus I can easily add, or subtract, weight at any point!

 

[Wooddog63]

Barrel, drawbar (runs through), concrete, PVC verticals with a larger horizontal header for cleanout and a milk crate for parts 'n pieces.

And a reflector band at the bottom, another great recommendation

 

[chim]

And a reflector band at the bottom, another great recommendation

With the strobes going, the triangle doesn't count for much
Here's a short of the previous Kubota. The current one is similar, but no wig-wag on it. Something like 7 different flash pattern for the strobes. Yep, growing up isn't my strong suit.