Ballast Box vs. Suitcase Weights on Box Blade

[jmlundy1972]

What is better??? Box blade with suitcase weights seem like the logical option, since everyone usually has a box blade and it is already heavy and at the rear of the tractor. Just add some suitcase weights and be done.

What's everyones thought on either set up?

 

[Bmyers]

My thought, use what you got. Save the money for another toy (implement).

 

[skeets]

ORRRRRR get a plastic barrel a few bags of ready mix, and make a weight,, and like Bmyers said save the money for something else,,, suit case weight are not cheap!

 

[OntheRidge]

Problem solved!

 

[Bmyers]

Problem solved!

The problem I see is I would end up knocked out cold when I asked my wife to sit in the chair to add extra weight to the tractor.

 

[jmlundy1972]

Problem solved!

Too funny.

 

[skeets]

Mother in law maybe....

 

[SDT]

What is better??? Box blade with suitcase weights seem like the logical option, since everyone usually has a box blade and it is already heavy and at the rear of the tractor. Just add some suitcase weights and be done.

What's everyones thought on either set up?

Compact ballast box interferes with maneuverability less.

Not everyone has suitcase weights.

 

[skeets]

 

[C1skout]

I wanted to be able to leave my ballast on while mowing, and not have it drag on the ground. I built my own using a cheap 3 point receiver hitch and a helium bottle.

I welded the bottle back together, then dug into my lead stash for weight. Poured it mostly full, added some pipes for handled tools and gave it all a coat of paint.

Here's a shot of it in use.

Works well so far. Took me a few evenings to put together with junk I had laying around.

 

[jyoutz]

I welded a steel box and ubolted it to the top of the box blade. Then I filled it with 300# of railroad rail pieces.

 

[Motion]

8" pipe, 6' long, concrete filled, 586 #'s, great for backing filling ruts/holes, dragging roads, chain carrier, good for bumper or goose neck trailers.

 

[Bmyers]

8" pipe, 6' long, concrete filled, 586 #'s, great for backing filling ruts/holes, dragging roads, chain carrier, good for bumper or goose neck trailers.
View attachment 89385

I'm not sure I have ever seen one built like that before. Interesting design.

 

[Showmedata]

8" pipe, 6' long, concrete filled, 586 #'s, great for backing filling ruts/holes, dragging roads, chain carrier, good for bumper or goose neck trailers.

I love that your design puts the weight down so low, helping bring down the center of mass of the tractor. Nicely done!

 

[Tim Horton]

I have 4 suit case weights at 42 lb. each.. Rarely have I used them on the box blade, but i have had very few things to lift with the fel that are that close to its capacity...

 

[wendol]

8" pipe, 6' long, concrete filled, 586 #'s, great for backing filling ruts/holes, dragging roads, chain carrier, good for bumper or goose neck trailers.
View attachment 89385

Very nice!! What would you estimate to be the weight of this?

 

[jmlundy1972]

8" pipe, 6' long, concrete filled, 586 #'s, great for backing filling ruts/holes, dragging roads, chain carrier, good for bumper or goose neck trailers.
View attachment 89385

Pretty awesome! How functional is it for rough grading?

 

[jmlundy1972]

Man, that thing has to be top heavy, but so economical for sure.

 

[skeets]

Not really top heavy, it would depend where you put your 3 point pins,, down low it might be a little bit up high not so much and really it never gets higher then the center of the axel I wouldnt think

 

[nbryan]

What is better??? Box blade with suitcase weights seem like the logical option, since everyone usually has a box blade and it is already heavy and at the rear of the tractor. Just add some suitcase weights and be done.

What's everyones thought on either set up?

So you're saying you can't lift your loader's max weight with just that BB on the back? With no added balast on it? Have you tried, and the rear wheels lifted before the loader?