Trying to find Ballast Box

[OrangeHiC]

Hi everyone
I will give a little background before i ask my question. I bought a BX1500, 48” deck and FEL LA201 back in 2005 and absolutely loved the little machine. It had 505 hrs on it as I mainly used it for a mowing machine and snow removal on my drive (and several neighbors ) I never used a ballast box with it. Never had a issue with it in my 15yrs of owning it.
Well, I had a weak moment and saw the 0% interest again so I wound up trading in the little BX and getting a new BX1880 54” deck and FEL.
I love the BX1880 but I have to get used to the differences between the two. I will drive and operate it daily so when I do my first mow, I dont take out the fence LOL.

Ok on with the questions
I want to buy a ballast box and put bags of concrete in it. My problem is I want to buy one in town and can’t seam to find one anywhere. Kubota seams to have quit making them. My dealer cant find one and I called Kubota and they haven’t gotten back with me yet.

What are your recommendation on type and brands? Thanks!

 

[i7win7]

Ballast Box Tractor Attachments - Ballast Boxes For Sale (Free Shipping) Titan Attachments™

We have a wide variety of three-point implements and attachments for all your equipment needs. Low Prices and Free Shipping Sitewide on all three-point ballast boxes.

www.palletforks.com

Bought mine off amazon, wasn't QH compatible had to mod it.

you may want to consider where to park it when using other 3pt implements. Can be as simple as 4x4's with tree behind them or build a stand.

 

[OrangeHiC]

Ballast Box Tractor Attachments - Ballast Boxes For Sale (Free Shipping) Titan Attachments™

We have a wide variety of three-point implements and attachments for all your equipment needs. Low Prices and Free Shipping Sitewide on all three-point ballast boxes.

www.palletforks.com

Bought mine off amazon, wasn't QH compatible had to mod it.
View attachment 55613
you may want to consider where to park it when using other 3pt implements. Can be as simple as 4x4's with tree behind them or build a stand.
View attachment 55614

Nice! I dont have quick hitch but I’m thinking about getting one

 

[GreensvilleJay]

assuming it has a 3PH, buy /make a 'carryall', toss weight onto a skid,use carryall to lift skid of weight. this 'system' make it EASY to pickup the ballast as needed, even have 2 skids , light and heavy, choose what you need for the job....

 

[GeoHorn]

assuming it has a 3PH, buy /make a 'carryall', toss weight onto a skid,use carryall to lift skid of weight. this 'system' make it EASY to pickup the ballast as needed, even have 2 skids , light and heavy, choose what you need for the job....

Yep... a carry-all is more useful in more ways than simply as ballast.

 

[i7win7]

Made one of these also, maybe some I'll figure out a use for it.

 

[ctfjr]

I picked mine on Ebay:
Ballast Box

It shipped from NJ and I had it in 2 days. Other than the pins were undersized and I had to change them (lowers) it is very well constructed.

I filled it with concrete (7 80lb bags) and made a frame to go in it with a lifting lug.

 

[OrangeHiC]

I like the carryall idea and I am starting to lean toward the ballast box with the door for emptying.
I could use it for a small dump truck if needed LOL.

 

[old and tired]

Doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to work. I've since removed the pipes and filled it to the top and capped it with a manhole cover. (I also had to reinforce the pins - a wee bit too much weight!!)

 

[Tyler_LaRue]

I built a black 35 gal drum filled with concrete (500lbs) with a drawbar slipped through. Dropped pvc pipe in it for shovel handles and sunk two plastic ammo cans in the concrete before it dried for tool storage and straps. Works really well. Had the same thing on my larger tractor for years never had an issue. About $50 all in.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I like a nice compact rear ballast box, I use bags of gravel in one of these

Ballast Box

The Ballast Box helps you protect the integrity of your tractor's front axle and improves traction.

www.palletforks.com

 

[El Jefe]

I also picked up one of the $250 ballast boxes from ebay. I wanted something more compact than a caryall since I often bring my tractor into tight areas including my workshop where I park it. This is compact enough so that its always on the tractor unless I'm using a different 3ph implement. When I'm not using it I set it down on a furniture dolly ($15 harbor freight) so I can wheel it around the shop and easily align to my 3ph. I like that this box has a 2" receiver and tool holders. I made a chainsaw holder out of a slab of wood and added 450 lbs of sand leaving enough room on top to hold gloves, chains, small hand tools, etc. Only two complaints, the door fits loosely and I had to seal it with silicone to hold the sand and the 3ph pins were undersized but otherwise its great. I figure its 550lbs and when I max out the loader (B2401) I need still need a couple hundred more pounds set on top to keep the back wheels down but its easy enough to throw a few bags of sand or concrete on top of the box. Overall its great and I wish I would have bought a ballast box sooner.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I also picked up one of the $250 ballast boxes from ebay. I wanted something more compact than a caryall since I often bring my tractor into tight areas including my workshop where I park it. This is compact enough so that its always on the tractor unless I'm using a different 3ph implement. When I'm not using it I set it down on a furniture dolly ($15 harbor freight) so I can wheel it around the shop and easily align to my 3ph. I like that this box has a 2" receiver and tool holders. I made a chainsaw holder out of a slab of wood and added 450 lbs of sand leaving enough room on top to hold gloves, chains, small hand tools, etc. Only two complaints, the door fits loosely and I had to seal it with silicone to hold the sand and the 3ph pins were undersized but otherwise its great. I figure its 550lbs and when I max out the loader (B2401) I need still need a couple hundred more pounds set on top to keep the back wheels down but its easy enough to throw a few bags of sand or concrete on top of the box. Overall its great and I wish I would have bought a ballast box sooner.

I like your chain saw idea, as I filled mine with bags of gravel, I might just lift them out and insert something similar to carry a chain saw, then put my bags of gravel back in. Like you I have a dolly onto which I unload the ballast box, makes it real easy to store and then to reinstall back on my tractor. For $250 delivered they are great value even if you have to replace the pins, I purchased from Titan several years ago, their pins were good.

 

[NHSleddog]

I wanted it as small and heavy as possible. I used lead. It weighs just over 800lb but all it does is sit there being heavy. I can load it under or behind the QH.

 

[Fastball]

I picked mine on Ebay:
Ballast Box

It shipped from NJ and I had it in 2 days. Other than the pins were undersized and I had to change them (lowers) it is very well constructed.

I filled it with concrete (7 80lb bags) and made a frame to go in it with a lifting lug.
View attachment 55624

View attachment 55625

I also picked up one of the $250 ballast boxes from ebay. I wanted something more compact than a caryall since I often bring my tractor into tight areas including my workshop where I park it. This is compact enough so that its always on the tractor unless I'm using a different 3ph implement. When I'm not using it I set it down on a furniture dolly ($15 harbor freight) so I can wheel it around the shop and easily align to my 3ph. I like that this box has a 2" receiver and tool holders. I made a chainsaw holder out of a slab of wood and added 450 lbs of sand leaving enough room on top to hold gloves, chains, small hand tools, etc. Only two complaints, the door fits loosely and I had to seal it with silicone to hold the sand and the 3ph pins were undersized but otherwise its great. I figure its 550lbs and when I max out the loader (B2401) I need still need a couple hundred more pounds set on top to keep the back wheels down but its easy enough to throw a few bags of sand or concrete on top of the box. Overall its great and I wish I would have bought a ballast box sooner.

Have been trying to find one of those Ebay boxes here in Canada. Either they don't ship to Canada, or the cost of shipping is literally more than the item. I’ve seen shipping costs as high as 250 dollars. Makes me crazy. Even all that Titan stuff - nobody ships to Canada. Those carry-alls you guy get for 150-200 at TSC....they’re over 400 here IF you can find one.

 

[Fastball]

Made one of these also, maybe some I'll figure out a use for it.

Do you have an idea how thick that angle iron is on the carry all? Since I cannot find one for sale for nor money, I’m thinking of fabbing one up. Would 1/4 inch be enough? Is 3/8” overkill? My L2900‘s 3-point lift capacity is just over 2000 pounds behind (not at) the pins.

 

[michigander]

Do you have an idea how thick that angle iron is on the carry all? Since I cannot find one for sale for nor money, I’m thinking of fabbing one up. Would 1/4 inch be enough? Is 3/8” overkill? My L2900‘s 3-point lift capacity is just over 2000 pounds behind (not at) the pins.

I'm positive tarter makes the carry all for TSC mine is 1/4" thick 3inch angle iron.

200 Series Carry All — Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment | American Made Quality Since 1945

Item #: CA20BL

tarterusa.com

 

[Fastball]

I'm positive tarter makes the carry all for TSC mine is 1/4" thick 3inch angle iron.

200 Series Carry All — Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment | American Made Quality Since 1945

Item #: CA20BL

tarterusa.com

Honestly, I’m thinking about a set of 3-point pallet forks, and sliding my carry-all box that I will build out of wood on and off the forks.

 

[Brian H]

About $100 into this 900 lb ballast.

 

[xrocketengineer]

I am cheap. So, I got a 2 inch trailer hitch receiver:

Heavy Duty Three Point Hitch 2in Receiver Trailer Hitch Fits Cat 1, Quick Hitch | eBay

Grab Bars & Guards. Foot Pegs & Pedal Pads. The unique bottom pin design makes it easy to use with smaller tractors like the BX Kubota. Dash Parts. Our new 3-point quick hitch Class 1 is designed to connect quickly to all Class 1 tractors.

www.ebay.com

To use with a subsoiler ripper:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Titan-Atta...501933&hash=item4457067e36:g:FK8AAOSw1ZpgCvTu

And for ballast I use a 2 inch small car cargo carrier and four blocks of concrete: