Ballast Box needed?

[yrualeg]

Good morning all, Long time lurker and first-time poster(I just created my account). As a first-time NEW tractor owner, I used my grandfather's '68 MF until it finally quit and bought a 'Bota M6060. I think I will build a ballast box using an old 3pt hitch pallet fork my grandfather had...my biggest question is how much ballast should have. I know, stupid question.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

There is no exact weight. It depends on several factors including weight of item being lifted and are the rear tires filled, or do they already have weights bolted to them ?
Ideally you want enough rear ballast to allow the tractor to lift/carry the front 'load' safely but not way too much to cause excess strain on the tractor(or put ruts in wife's lawn !). Too much ballast will cost you in excessive fuel,extra strain on tractor parts.
The owner's manual may have a chart with suggestions,or in the 'loader operations' section ? My BX23S has never been without it's backhoe(+-700#) so haven't needed to 'dial in' a ballast.
If you're moving bucket fulls of mulch, maybe 2-300#s ? Moving 1000# bales, 500-600#s ??
Hopefully those with your series tractor will respond,pretty sure they'll ask 'are the tires loaded ?'

 

[Bmyers]

Good morning all, Long time lurker and first-time poster(I just created my account). As a first-time NEW tractor owner, I used my grandfather's '68 MF until it finally quit and bought a 'Bota M6060. I think I will build a ballast box using an old 3pt hitch pallet fork my grandfather had...my biggest question is how much ballast should have. I know, stupid question.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the M6060

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

..my biggest question is how much ballast should have. I know, stupid question.

All of it.

And welcome, I'm just north of you in Canton.

 

[CGMKCM]

My 4 in 1 weighs close to 700lbs. Kubota light duty bucket weighs around half that. My grapple weighs about 500lbs.
On my 4760 I have filled rear tires and according to the chart at Messicks it adds 357.5lbs of ballast per tire that is water/methanol mix. If you add Rim Guard to the tires the added ballast adds up to 589lbs. per tire. Tires loaded works fine for light duty standard bucket work hauling mulch, spreading gravel, it also does light duty grapple work. When I do heavier work or put on the 4in1 I add the weight box. It is a Kubota class 1/2 and filled with gravel is close to 1,000lbs (see photos) I also have my tires set at the widest position. The tractor is very stable when using the heavy buckets.

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

My 4 in 1 weighs close to 700lbs. Kubota light duty bucket weighs around half that. My grapple weighs about 500lbs.
On my 4760 I have filled rear tires and according to the chart at Messicks it adds 357.5lbs of ballast per tire that is water/methanol mix. If you add Rim Guard to the tires the added ballast adds up to 589lbs. per tire. Tires loaded works fine for light duty standard bucket work hauling mulch, spreading gravel, it also does light duty grapple work. When I do heavier work or put on the 4in1 I add the weight box. It is a Kubota class 1/2 and filled with gravel is close to 1,000lbs (see photos) I also have my tires set at the widest position.

I have what I believe is an M8180. Dimensions are 28.5x28x31. Cat1/2 pins.