How much ballast are you using? I have enough weights now for 300 lbs so now I can get rid of the box. The box stuck out to much for my liking. Just wondering when is to much ballast. Thanks.
BX owners, chime in
- Thread starter Bearcatrp
- Start date
My standard ballast is 500 lbs of suitcase weights; however if you match (or exceed) the weight in your bucket or forks you should be fine.
JimDeL
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2380; R4 tires; 54" MMM; FEL w Pirahna bar; Ballast Box; BXpanded skid plate.
RCW
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Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
With either my box blade or carry-all, I'm probably in the 250-300# range.
I'll put something on the carry-all if needed, but only needed that a couple times.
I'll put something on the carry-all if needed, but only needed that a couple times.
Thanks folks. Picked up today some more weights to get me to 300 lbs. Barbell weights with 2 inch hole. Nice not to be sticking out so far with my other ballast box. After seeing that post about using barbell weights for ballast, thought that would be the best way to do this. I know if I have no ballast in the back, and try to lift a full bucket load, the rear end comes off the ground. Will stick with 300 lbs for now to see how it does. Thanks again for the feedback.
I was previously BX owner, not sure that qualifies for this thread or not.
to your question about ‘when is to much ballast’…it’s a moving target based on terrain and your tasks, but when you can not safely drive or steer it…that’s when it is too much IMO…you’ll know if the steering is getting light. (Watch your tires…that is also a good indicator as to where the weight is (or isn’t).
keep the rubber side down.
If you have trouble steering ... You got too much! 
On my SCUT in this application I'm running more than most ... My own home made Ballast Box weighs 707 Lbs, I also have 275 Lbs of barbell weight plates, and 70 Lb wheel weights on both filled rear tires, plus the tongue weight of the trailer, as the tote is forward of the axle ... I like weight!
But note that my ballast box has a recess in it to put my 69 Lb QH into it, so the front of the ballast box is about where the lower pins are, and the weights plates are forward of that too ...
My pallet forks weigh 347.4Lbs, empty tote weighs 134.0Lbs, I only put 50 gallons of water in it, as that's as much as it will lift!
Put about 125 gallons in the back tote, as it gets "top heavy" ...
Was that in addition to the empty ballast box itself?
On my SCUT in this application I'm running more than most ... My own home made Ballast Box weighs 707 Lbs, I also have 275 Lbs of barbell weight plates, and 70 Lb wheel weights on both filled rear tires, plus the tongue weight of the trailer, as the tote is forward of the axle ... I like weight!
But note that my ballast box has a recess in it to put my 69 Lb QH into it, so the front of the ballast box is about where the lower pins are, and the weights plates are forward of that too ...
My pallet forks weigh 347.4Lbs, empty tote weighs 134.0Lbs, I only put 50 gallons of water in it, as that's as much as it will lift!
Put about 125 gallons in the back tote, as it gets "top heavy" ...
I believe that is a good place to start! As the manufacturer builds the TLB version, they know you are using the loader, and no good way to add ballast, other than scoop/clamp something in the bucket, and/or stretch out the BH ...
armylifer
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Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
I use barbell weights for ballast on my tractor. A big benefit to using barbell weights is that they are compact. This means that I can leave the weights on the tractor when I am mowing. I don't have to worry about accidentally hitting something when I am backing up or turning. One suggestion that I can make to you that may be of some use is adding chains to limit the downward travel of the barbell. If you do use chains, be aware that your mower deck travel downward will also be limited, so make the chains long enough to allow the mower deck to go as low as you want it to go. You can easily see how I attached the upper part of the chains but the lower part is not easy to see. I used a "U" clamp to attach to the lower link of the chain. On the upper part of the chain you can also use a snap link instead of the type link that I have shown in this picture. Here is a picture of the chains that I use on mine.
I have to ask what do you need all that weight for? My back tires are filled, and 2wheel weights 75 pounds each, I use the old gal for more than it was ever meant for and I never needed any more than that
shelkol
Active member
Equipment
bx-2200, Woods BH6000 backhoe, Tach-N-Go quick attach bucket, snow blower
I mounted an old beer keg on the 3PH and partially filled it with lead ( old wheel balance weights ). I figure I have about 700#
Ignoring the MMM since you’re doing excavation type work, let’s start with how much a BX1880 can lift. At the pins the lift capacity is 739 lbs. 20” forward of the pins the lift capacity is 509 lbs.
The bucket weights 132 lbs. so the net lift capacity 20” forward of the pins is 509 – 132 = 377 lbs. (May be a little more since ALL the bucket weight is not 20” forward of the pins but let’s keep it simple).
Page 20 of the user’s manual page shows 420 lbs. for implement weights for loader work. So in my mind if you’re using either a ballast box, suitcase weights, or some attachment, the total is 420 lbs.
My empty ballast box is 108 lbs. and if I add 312 lbs. the total is 420 lbs. This is greater than the net lift capacity of 377 lbs. for the FEL. I find this to be plenty for the BX1880’s capabilities.
You could also fill the rear tires to roughly 75-100 lbs. each depending on the what you fill them with or add wheel weights (what I do in the winter) according to the user’s manual in addition to a ballast box.
For some reason I have an overabundance of automotive brake rotors laying around. I can actually fill up my ballast box to the top which would be about 700 lbs. if I choose to do so. They’re also good to practice welding on.
The bucket weights 132 lbs. so the net lift capacity 20” forward of the pins is 509 – 132 = 377 lbs. (May be a little more since ALL the bucket weight is not 20” forward of the pins but let’s keep it simple).
Page 20 of the user’s manual page shows 420 lbs. for implement weights for loader work. So in my mind if you’re using either a ballast box, suitcase weights, or some attachment, the total is 420 lbs.
My empty ballast box is 108 lbs. and if I add 312 lbs. the total is 420 lbs. This is greater than the net lift capacity of 377 lbs. for the FEL. I find this to be plenty for the BX1880’s capabilities.
You could also fill the rear tires to roughly 75-100 lbs. each depending on the what you fill them with or add wheel weights (what I do in the winter) according to the user’s manual in addition to a ballast box.
For some reason I have an overabundance of automotive brake rotors laying around. I can actually fill up my ballast box to the top which would be about 700 lbs. if I choose to do so. They’re also good to practice welding on.
My biggest concern is running the weight low so the center of gravity is low so I don't roll it on hills.
It's not always "how much" but also "how far back" is the weight. The weight box is "somewhat close" compared to the flail mower, but the chipper is "way out there."
Less is sometimes more, running the chipper out back with 4" of wheel spacers per side likely puts a bunch of stress on the rear axle bearings, so I try to be "reasonable." Try, anyway.
It's not always "how much" but also "how far back" is the weight. The weight box is "somewhat close" compared to the flail mower, but the chipper is "way out there."
Less is sometimes more, running the chipper out back with 4" of wheel spacers per side likely puts a bunch of stress on the rear axle bearings, so I try to be "reasonable." Try, anyway.
Really liking this weight method for ballast. Doesn't stick out like my old ballast box. Am now at 300 lbs. Should be sufficient for lifting full buckets. When I had my other ballast box with 260 lbs, only a few times did my rear end left. Took me a year to locate weights that did not cost me a kidney.
Blue2Orange
Active member
Equipment
BX2380 with LA344S & QH05. SB1051. SG0554. BB1248. RB0560, Vassar dirt bucket
Most of the time just use the box blade when using the bucket or grapple. Sometimes have the dirt bucket attached. IIRC, it is only 120# empty. Loaded maybe couple hundred pounds. BX is a tiny, relatively lightweight tractor. The 344 loader on paper has I think a max total capacity of 344 kg. Unsure what the bucket and loader mass is. Realistically doubt if I ever load anything close to max. Tiny tractor = many tiny loads.
Hope they don't roll down hill when you take them off!
Awesome idea, looks easy to hook up too.
Very easy to hook up. Don't have to leave my seat. Was lucky to find stands real cheap at a swappers meet so just back up to it and lower this weights onto the stands. Pretty slick. Based on what lifting lbs the BX can lift, 300 should be enough. If not, have room for more weights if needed.
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I made front and rear 2 inch receiver hitches for mine. Depending on which end needs weight I took a ball mount and welded a 2 ft 1 inch steel rod into the ball hole that sticks up. Then I bought 12-25 pound steel weights with 1 inch holes that I drop over the rod allowing me to adjust the weight up to 300 pounds depending on what's being used. I don't have a loader on the bx so for things like the blower and sickle bar the weight needs to be in the front and the plow needs it in the rear.
armylifer
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315