Carryall Balast box combo idea

[Dunbar]

I was replying to a thread on ballast box for a BX series but decided to start a new thread as this idea may help with all size tractors. Here is the quote I was responding to:

If you had posted your idea of filling the box with cement before you had done it, I would have suggested to you to use a 55 gallon 6 mil black plastic trash bag, and place it into the weight box prior to pouring the cement into the box. The other thing that can be done prior to pouring concrete (cement) into the box, is to wipe down the walls of the box with a heavy oil, such as chain bar oil, or gear lube. It will act as a release agent. You could have added a lifting hook, and been able to remove the concrete block and set it aside while the box was being used for another task. Concrete, or cement as it is more commonly known, contains lime, and the acidity of the lime will eventually start to cause the steel box to rust out at the bottom. Other than that, I do like your idea, and it looks like it will serve your purposes well.

I have read lots of posts about ballast and have not seen anyone mention your excellent suggestion of lining the box in order to be able to pull the concrete fill. That is brilliant. I don't have ballast other than filled rears in my L2501. I like the heavy hitch idea better than a permanently concrete filled box for it's dual use ability with the receiver hitch for moving trailers. But I purchased a Quick Attach attachment receiver from Kubota Skid Steer Attachment Depot that I really like. For me its easier to remove a quick attach implement from the FEL than drop whatever I have on the 3 point to move trailers. I'm likely to have my RCR1860 or FDR1660 cutter or mower on the rear when I need to move trailers to mow around them.
Now that my receiver hitch need are met I still need ballast. I still like the design of Heavy Hitch but I would need a lot of suitcase weights to counterbalance my L2501. I think NIWM mentioned 1500lbs. The other idea I like is adapting a BB to hold suitcase weights. Drawbacks are size and needed welding and possible reduction of usability for it's intended purpose. Suitcase weights are expensive! Now I'm thinking perhaps creating a Carryall that can hold a huge concrete (read inexpensive) weight and still be used to carry other stuff. So build a carryall with steel structure and plate rather than a light steel frame and wood. If my FEL is not capable of lifting the concrete mass from the ground onto the carryall, I can use a chain hoist to do that.

Anyone see a carryall that can hold 1,500 lbs of some mass? If it's a 55 gallon plastic tub filled with concrete with a lifting hook, I could have hooks on the corners of the carryall to strap it to. And or an indention in the base for it to fit into to prevent sliding.

Or, how about using rear forks to carry either a conventional carryall or a ballast mass of some kind? I already have QA forks for the front but 3pt forks, given that they can handle the weight, would be even more versatile to lift either a good size carryall box or a more compact but much heavier ballast, that's easier to maneuver with. I did some searching and saw some similar ideas but wanted to see if I can spark better ideas.

 

[baronetm]

I made a ballast tank from a galvanized water tempering tank that is multi function, filled with wet sand it's calculated weight is 1250 lbs. The cover is hinged and latches, I added a gate so I could remove the sand for sanding my driveway, D-Handle shovel carriers, tubes for long handle tools, fork pockets and a 2" receiver. In my case I do not have a need for a large carry all, but this fits my need.

 

[Dunbar]

Baron - I like the multi-purpose of your ballast. I'm sure the steel ballast boxes filled with concrete are fine but it is just not normal for me to permanently fill it with concrete. They are nice and compact which would be an advantage over a carryall with a concrete ballast weight placed inside. I see your tank has 3 point attachment points and fork slots. That makes it easy to store and retrieve. After my IP I have seen on this and other forums lots of options. I see a possible flaw in using a carryall with a large weight. Unless made to fit, and strapped down well, a shift at the wrong time could be the critical mass with other factors that could cause an unexpected event. Of the ugly variety.