Determining rear ballast weight ?

[Farm Fun]

Been trying to determine how much ballast I want to add to the rear of the L3902 to offset the 526 loader. However the tractor and loader manuals really don't help with determining the amount. So here is my situation:
1. Loader will be used for basic jobs; dirt, gravel, brush. (have the Land Pride 60inch combination bucket)
2. QuickHitch is 70 lbs
3. Heavy hitch weight bracket is 65 lbs
Thinking I would start with 8 weights at 40 lbs each. 70 + 65 + 320 = 455 lbs total.
Does this sound reasonable? Thanks.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Lots of variables to consider but generally thinking in my world you would be close but a little on the light side

 

[Bee-Positive]

An LA526 will lift 1,144 lbs. at the pins. The 3 pt. will lift 1,435 @ 24" back. I'd put 600 - 700 out back.
Try different weights and see what you feel safe with. I run less in the winter for snow and more in the summer for dirt/gravel and digging.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I'm of the belief that you should see what backhoe fits it ... Then see how much that weighs ... Then you can add a little to that, as your suitcase weights will be closer to the back of the tractor than if you had a backhoe mounted ... As if you have a Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB) there really isn't a good way to add more ballast to it, so it needs to be adequate for what the loader can lift, obviously if your using suitcase weights, you can adjust how many you put on depending on your proposed load, snow is light, dry mulch is light, wet muddy rocks are HEAVY!

Remember it's not about keeping the rear tires on the ground ... It's about reducing the weight on the front axle, so it's not overloaded, which can not only increase wear & tear on it, but could cause you to tip over ?

Here are two videos ...

Filled tires?

Rear ballast needed

 

[NCL4701]

I don’t think you said whether the rear tires are loaded or not. I’m aware loading rear tires has zero impact on transferring weight from front axle to rear, but it does have an impact on keeping the rear axle on the ground.

455lb on the 3 point with loaded rears sounds a bit light to me, but it’s probably enough to keep the back end on the ground under most conditions. Without loaded rears, you’ll probably need more like 600lb just to keep the rear on the ground. My thought is ideally around 550 to 600lb on the three point with loaded rears to get some decent weight transfer off the front axle, more like 700 to 750lb without loaded rears.

Generally, go slow and very low when you first start. If the back feels light, you need more weight. If you haven’t run a tractor loader enough to know what “feels light”, run it in 2WD on level or near level ground. If it has any traction problems at all in 2WD on level or near level ground, it needs more weight on the 3 point. If the back end is coming off the ground you definitely need more weight on the back.

Keep the loader a few inches off the ground while you’re figuring out the appropriate ballast. If you need to raise a heavy load high for some reason (such as loading a truck) and the back end lifts, it can roll before you can do anything to prevent it. If the back end lifts with the bucket 3” off the ground, not likely much will happen other than you’ll have to remove weight from the front or add weight to the back. So your first job with the loader should be to experiment a little and get your ballast sorted.

 

[Farm Fun]

R14 tires don't have any fluid nor any weights. My Heavy Hitch bracket will accept up to 16 weights (40 lb and/or 70 lb) so I have the option to add more weight. Plan to use either all 40 lb or primarily 40 lb with maybe 2-4 70lb.

 

[D2Cat]

I have 6ea rear wheel weights part #3157. I think they will bolt on your rears. Located 25 miles west of Drexel, Mo.

Wheel weights

I have 6 of these weights I am not going to use. Thinking about FB market place to find someone local. Any idea of value?

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[MotoBBQ]

I have my 3902 tires filled with beet juice and always have medium duty 66" box blade on the rear, which is about 500 lbs. I find it keeps things pretty well balanced and digs dirt exceptionally well.