no need for ballast?

[Billbo]

good morning first i hope all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a Happy New Year
i have a small kubota B2320 i have the rear tires filled. My FEL will not come close to lifting the back tires off the ground. to me that means i do NOT need any extra ballast OR my FEL is not lifting to capacity???? Any comments or suggestions appreciated
Thanks, Bill

 

[GreensvilleJay]

curious...according to tractordata, your machine should be able to lift 500-750#,though that includes bucket weight....
so how much weight have you tried to lift ?
if you can 'max out' the loader lifting capacity without having rear wheels get airborne, you should be fine.
caution though, always keep bucket close to the ground,NEVER drive with a load way up high !
You'll soon remember High school Physics real fast...

 

[Billbo]

thanks for your reply. ive just read so much about having 'ballast boxes' etc filled with 500-1000 pounds when using FEL -- i think perhaps my little tractor is not lifting to its capacity (or its capacity is very lacking)

 

[Billbo]

I have also read where others compact tractors WILL lift rear tires off ground without proper ballast. I think I might have a problem

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Sort of depends on what doing, how doing it, and the terrain…maybe it’s a non issue for your tasks and terrain? Here is an interesting article…

Properly Ballasting (Balancing) Your Tractor

Maximize your productivity and equipment longevity with proper ballast on your compact utility tractor.

www.middletowntractor.com

 

[Billbo]

thanks for your reply and info. question - when put under an immovable object, do all tractors FEL lift rear tires off ground with NO ballast???

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Well, I am sure some might try to answer, but when you say ‘all’ tractors…I suspect none have experience with ‘all’ . I think it depends on the loader capability and the weight of the machine(s)….so I think it hard to say for ‘all’…IMHO.

Also keep in mind ballasting can be necessary whether or not you have or are using a loader….it’s about keeping the rubber side down (keeping the machine balanced and tires planted on the ground).

 

[Billbo]

thank you --- and i understand --- just thinking my FEL may be lacking in some way. Not sure how to 'test' the lifting capacity except by placing known weigh inside the bucket and try to max it out that way??
i probably just need a stronger tractor!!!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

thank you --- and i understand --- just thinking my FEL may be lacking in some way. Not sure how to 'test' the lifting capacity except by placing known weigh inside the bucket and try to max it out that way??

Well to determine your machine matches the spec, that seems like the way to check…another gauge (it’s less scientific) would be if it t can lift a full bucket or dry soil…it should be able to do that I would think…but if the soil is wet it t might struggle a bit…I am not sure but that is the way my B seems to be…it does fine when everything dry but then really wet soil sure makes a difference in what it can safely scoop/transport…I don’t have any data though to say if it’s in spec, its just what I notice. My machine is usually tippier from the terrain IMO…especially if using forks and a heavy load…machine gets really tippy (front heavy).

 

[Steve67]

Using rear ballast also helps taking pressure off front tires and front axle components

 

[GreensvilleJay]

to test it's capacity is easy...
acquire several solid concrete blocks
weigh one block or get weight from internet...
place it in bucket
add 4 more
lift it up 1' off the ground
lower
repeat adding/lifting/lowering until it will not lift them
count the blocks ,multiply by the weight of one, there's your answer
BTW a cubic foot of concrete weighs about 150#.

if the tractor 'teeter-totters', you need more rear 'ballast'

 

[Billbo]

Well to determine your machine matches the spec, that seems like the way to check…another gauge (it’s less scientific) would be if it t can lift a full bucket or dry soil…it should be able to do that I would think…but if the soil is wet it t might struggle a bit…I am not sure but that is the way my B seems to be…it does fine when everything dry but then really wet soil sure makes a difference in what it can safely scoop/transport…I don’t have any data though to say if it’s in spec, its just what I notice. My machine is usually tippier from the terrain IMO…especially if using forks and a heavy load…machine gets really tippy (front heavy).
Thany You for your reply.

to test it's capacity is easy...
acquire several solid concrete blocks
weigh one block or get weight from internet...
place it in bucket
add 4 more
lift it up 1' off the ground
lower
repeat adding/lifting/lowering until it will not lift them
count the blocks ,multiply by the weight of one, there's your answer
BTW a cubic foot of concrete weighs about 150#.

if the tractor 'teeter-totters', you need more rear 'ballast'

Thank you for your reply. makes sense to me - will give it a try

Using rear ballast also helps taking pressure off front tires and front axle components
Thanks for that info.

 

[Billbo]

I think i will be on the lookout for a L2501 next.

 

[SDT]

thanks for your reply and info. question - when put under an immovable object, do all tractors FEL lift rear tires off ground with NO ballast???

No.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

You could get a hydraulic pressure gauge to make sure your bypass is set to the correct pressure. If it is low it will reduce the weight you can lift.

I have a BX2200, so a little smaller that yours. I need ballast when spreading topsoil and gravel. I currently use my box blade for ballast and it seems to fit the bill.

 

[torch]

i have a small kubota B2320 i have the rear tires filled. My FEL will not come close to lifting the back tires off the ground. to me that means i do NOT need any extra ballast OR my FEL is not lifting to capacity????

The purpose of rear ballast is not to keep the rear wheels on the ground -- if they come off the ground you are way past the point of needing rear ballast.

The purpose of ballast is a) lower the centre of gravity, b) shift weight to the solid axle to prevent roll-over and c) to prevent overloading the front axle.

Loading tires is the most effective means of accomplishing a) and to a lesser extent b).

Adding weight to the 3ph helps a) somewhat, significantly helps b) and is the only way to accomplish c).

 

[BigG]

When you are using the FEL you need to have rear ballast. The tires lifting from the ground is not a good gauge to measure the need of the ballast. The ballast will help insure good braking, lower the center of gravity, and transfer the weight in the FEL to the rear axle. These are all good reasons to keep the extra weight on the rear of the tractor. The 2501 will also need rear ballast when using the FEL.

 

[ve9aa]

You need rear ballast.

 

[Henro]

The purpose of rear ballast is not to keep the rear wheels on the ground -- if they come off the ground you are way past the point of needing rear ballast.

Loading tires is the most effective means of accomplishing a) and to a lesser extent b).

Adding weight to the 3ph helps a) somewhat, significantly helps b) and is the only way to accomplish c).

I think the verbiage accented in blue above is misleading.

A MAJOR purpose of rear ballast is certainly without question to keep the rear wheels on the ground. If they come off the ground, all bets are off as to the net result, which could be bad. If the rear wheels come off the ground, you need more rear ballast for certain. (Unless we are talking about driving across a slope. Then rear ballast will not help much other than possibly lowering the center of gravity)

Loading tires causes no shift of weight to the rear axle, since the tire is centered on the rear axle. It certainly does add to stability as the net result is a lowering of the tractor's center of gravity, and it works to counter the pivoting action at the front axle when lifting with the loader.

Other than these two points, what Torch says is true in my mind.

 

[Billbo]

i may (probably did) state my concern incorrectly. Actually, I would love to have my rear tires come up when lifting the FEL,indicating it is lifting with gusto, but since that doesnt happen, is it possible my FEL is just WEAK? for example, what IF my FEL is rated to lift 1000 lbs and it wont even lift 100 lbs? Id say ballast wouldnt help me and i do NOT need any ballast, I need my FEL fixed!