Carry All Platform as Ballast Box

[FD_desert_dweller]

I have just purchased my first tractor. A L2502 with FEL. I am looking into options for a ballast box, and always like the idea of one tool performing multiple tasks. For what I will be doing I will be getting a carry platform like this one from Titan…https://palletforks.com/products/3-point-carry-all-with-steel-platform.
What are your thoughts on using this as ballast? I would strap down bags of play sand for the weights.
Thanks for any and all input.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I've used a 'regular' carryall for years as a 'programmable ballast box for 2.5 decades
I have 2 skids with weight on them, one light , one heavy.
WHEN needed, backup to 'light' one for loadering lots of mulch and compost, use the 'heavy' one when loadering dirt and stones. Hauling a HEAVY ballast box is extra wear and tear on machine, more fuel, more damage to ground.
You could have a 3rd skid as a 'tool platform'.
What I like about 'my system' is that it's EASY to get 3PH carryall on and off ,unlike a HEAVY ballast box. Also I can get the 'proper' skid of ballast for the job without any physical effort. One of those 'work smarter, not harder' deals !

 

[old and tired]

I use a set of homemade forks (fixed width) to pickup 55 gal. drum of weights. Or an empty wooden box to carry tools. Loading and unloading bags of sand sounds like more work than I would want to do!

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

if planning to start with the titan as a platform, I’d probably add some stake pocket brackets and make some side and a tail gate of some sort…might make it more versatile.

The rural king / tsc carryall frames are a good start point as well (that’s what I have).

 

[FD_desert_dweller]

Great input. Thanks for confirming my idea. I will check out the rural king.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have just purchased my first tractor. A L2502 with FEL.

I am looking into options for a ballast box, and always like the idea of one tool performing multiple tasks.

Nice choice on the tractor and loader

I love my 2501.

My choice for a “dual purpose” ballast would be some sort of implement like a box blade, back hoe, or something.

Having to 'load and unload’ bags of sand makes my back hurt just thinking about it, unless you can come up with some sort of “quick connect” (as posted above)

This is my favorite “Ballast/implement” combo……800 lbs of “pure fun"

 

[FD_desert_dweller]

Living in the mountains of the high desert of west Texas, I have seen enough backhoe work to know “fun” is not a word that comes to mind. Our soil type is fractured rock. The tool I use to plant trees and bushes is a jackhammer. That is not a joke. While I would like a backhoe, not sure I have enough need to justify the expense.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Welcome, and let us help you lighten your wallet!

Forks are handy!

If you have forks, and a few pallets with different weights, or job related tools, it would be easy to "load" the carryall for whatever task you have ...

I built my own ballast box, but usually have other things in the back, currently a BH ... My BB has vertical tubes, horizontal "slots" to carry my trimmer, a lip around the top, tie down points, and a 2" receiver hitch also ... It is not only quick hitch compatible, but sits closer to my rear tires than any standard BB that isn't making use of a QH ...

 

[FD_desert_dweller]

Thanks Shawn T. If you have time and the inclination, please add a pic of your setup.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Thanks Shawn T. If you have time and the inclination, please add a pic of your setup.

Please note - this was designed by me, for me, I'm a truck driver, not a designer ... Borrow whatever you want, if any ... Cost me less than $100 and time, I had the steel already kicking around ...

My design was for the lower arms of my QH to fit into the recessed areas, to keep it as short as possible, by also making it wider than the normal BB which usually rides between the lower arms ... My "PRIMARY" Purpose for it was to offer rear ballast for carrying a tote of water on my forks on the loader in the front, AND pull a trailer with another tote of water on the back ...

I made a box of plywood ... And practiced my welding ... I added rocks to "stretch" the 6 - 80 Lb bags of concrete mix ...

I painted it to match my tractor ...This weighs 707 Lbs!

This is my primary use ... It's still kind of a long set up ...

My Massey Ferguson GC 1725 MB is similar to a BX series Kubota ... If you are buying forks, I'd recommend the lightest weight ones you can find, 42" and a "backrest" ... Mine I bought during the COVID supply chain shortage, and mine are rated for 4,000 Lbs, which is way overkill for my little tractor, yours too! Mine weigh 347.4 Lbs, which means it can't lift as much stuff ... For example I can only carry 50 gallons of water in the front tote, due to my little tractors lift capacity, weight of forks, and weight of tote ... !

 

[FD_desert_dweller]

That is quite impressive. Thanks for taking the time to send this pictures and for sharing your “blueprints”.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I forgot to add ... That it won't work with just regular lower arms, it needs the quick hitch to be able to reach in and "grab" the lower pins, which really is a single piece of either 3/4" or 1" black iron pipe ... I just used masking tape to hold the plywood in place, as once the concrete was poured and set up, I had to wiggle those upright 2x4's out, only the 1.5" square wood pieces are screwed to the plywood ... But you can barely see the pipe which goes through the upright 2" angle iron ... And I tossed in a bunch of old rusty bolts and junk too, steel is heavier than concrete!

 

[JonM]

I have just purchased my first tractor. A L2502 with FEL. I am looking into options for a ballast box, and always like the idea of one tool performing multiple tasks. For what I will be doing I will be getting a carry platform like this one from Titan…https://palletforks.com/products/3-point-carry-all-with-steel-platform.
What are your thoughts on using this as ballast? I would strap down bags of play sand for the weights.
Thanks for any and all input.

i filled the bottom of my ballast box with lead ingots. leaving me plenty of room for tools.

i only use the box when im needing different back end attachments otherwise i keep the backhoe on it.

 

[FD_desert_dweller]

I forgot to add ... That it won't work with just regular lower arms, it needs the quick hitch to be able to reach in and "grab" the lower pins, which really is a single piece of either 3/4" or 1" black iron pipe ... I just used masking tape to hold the plywood in place, as once the concrete was poured and set up, I had to wiggle those upright 2x4's out, only the 1.5" square wood pieces are screwed to the plywood ... But you can barely see the pipe which goes through the upright 2" angle iron ... And I tossed in a bunch of old rusty bolts and junk too, steel is heavier than concrete!

View attachment 163742

Yep, that all makes sense. I was wondering about the lower pins for quick hitch. I was assuming you had something down there that I wasn’t seeing. I see it now.
Thanks again.