Just another ballast box

[Paul Allwood]

I can't get the steel to start making the loader bucket until Monday, so I made a start on a ballast box.

I did a really unusual thing - using offcuts rather than buying new and adding to the offcut stock. It's meant the empty box is going to be pretty heavy since I've used 50x50x5 SHS and 75x50x6 RHS....it's just what I had.

 

[RMS]

I can't get the steel to start making the loader bucket until Monday, so I made a start on a ballast box.

I did a really unusual thing - using offcuts rather than buying new and adding to the offcut stock. It's meant the empty box is going to be pretty heavy since I've used 50x50x5 SHS and 75x50x6 RHS....it's just what I had.

Since a ballast box is all about weight, it being heavy seems to be a good thing.

 

[old and tired]

That's a good start... now, add even more metal, make it heavier!!!

 

[Paul Allwood]

The frame is now welded and I've added mounting brackets. Next I'll clad it to turn it from a ballast frame into a ballast box. Then a coat of paint and it's ready to go.

 

[Shawn T. W]

What are you planning on filling it with?

Have you thought of incorporating a trailer hitch? A way to hold shovels/rakes? Chains or tools?

 

[Paul Allwood]

What are you planning on filling it with?

Have you thought of incorporating a trailer hitch? A way to hold shovels/rakes? Chains or tools?

Planning on filling it with bricks and stone. I've got lots of old heavy bricks and will add some stones to help stop them shaking around.

I'll add a tube to the bottom for a trailer hitch, plus some rails so I can pick it up with forks. The uprights in the corners will hold long handled tool like shovels and rakes. I'll also be making a tool box to go on a frame on the rops for chains and smaller tools. The ballast box may not be completely filled with bricks and stone so might throw a chain or two in on top.

 

[Bee-Positive]

If the bottom of the uprights are capped you might want to drill a hole for drainage just in case.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Added some feet for forklift access and a tube for a trailer hitch. The feet don't quite close the bottom of the corner uprights - enough to stop handles of shovels and rakes and implements of destruction, but open enough to allow water to run through.

I'll probably clad the sides with 3 mm sheet leftover from making a bucket, and use something for the base that lets water drain.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Looks like it belongs, still needs to be turned into a box rather than a frame.

 

[Paul Allwood]

At last, it looks like a box and not just a frame. I clad it with 3 mm steel that was left over from the loader bucket. Tack welded so far - hopefully finish welding, grind and paint tomorrow.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Just weighed the empty ballast box. I stood in the sling on one end in the pic and moved it in our out until it balanced. Using my weight and the two distances it weighs about 70 kg. Explains why it was hard to lift onto the bench earlier today.

Looks like I won't need much in the box. Maybe I'll fill it with old pillows.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Ballast box done. At 70 kg with no bricks in it yet, the steering is already lighter.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Thank you for swapping out the Detroit lions colors for orange!

Looks great…very solid build. Do you plan to fill it? (With what?).

Great job.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Thank you for swapping out the Detroit lions colors for orange!

Hey now……around these parts, The old "Honolulu Blue” is perfectly acceptable

 

[RMS]

Great looking job, that should serve you well.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Thank you for swapping out the Detroit lions colors for orange!

Looks great…very solid build. Do you plan to fill it? (With what?).

Great job.

Thanks. Yeah, when I fix the curl/dump problem and start moving stones, dirt..... I plan on filling it with bricks.

Had to google Detroit Lions. They don't come up much around here.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Great looking job, that should serve you well.

Thanks.