Thread: Building A Ballast Box!

Looks good so far. Your 4300 will handle the weight no problem. I've had close to 1,400 - 1,500 pound on my 4200's 3PH without a problem.

Originally Posted by mjncad

Looks good so far. Your 4300 will handle the weight no problem. I've had close to 1,400 - 1,500 pound on my 4200's 3PH without a problem.

Thanks Matt!

I'm glad to hear that you had that much weight on your 4200!

I know you have the JD Ballast Box... Do you think I went overboard and made the box too big!!
.

Originally Posted by mjncad

Looks good so far. Your 4300 will handle the weight no problem. I've had close to 1,400 - 1,500 pound on my 4200's 3PH without a problem.

Its rated for 2200 lbs - shouldnt be a problem actually

I think it's fine Bill. Having the extra weight back there will make using the loader safer without the burden of a large implement hanging off the back acting as a counterweight.

Originally Posted by JohnDeere4300_KY

I started on a Ballast Box yesterday evening... I cut the metal and done some welding yesterday, and this evening I got the box part all welded up, and measured where I needed my pins and where I need a top bracket with a pin.. Should be able to drill my holes tomorrow, and weld the top bracket, and then I can pick it up.

Welding the box was sure boring!... I welded the inside and spaced the welds 2'' apart, and on the outside I ran a full bead from end to end!

I'm weighing each part as I go, and when I weld the top bracket and install the pins with plates on the inside/outside.. The box will weigh 137lbs.... I still need to make a trailer hitch, and install metal pipe and maybe two 4'' plastic pipes for chain, and the 4'' pipe would also hold a chainsaw.

The box sure looks big to me!.. It's 24''x24''x24''... I called my JD dealer Saturday to get a measurement, and he said he had one on the shelf that is 24"X 16" X 22".

I plan to use Portland Cement, and drop in some scrap metal.. 1/2'' and 1'' scrap plate.
.

Looks great, and didnt take you long to make a better than stock unit, with the full customization you actually will need and use...congrats!

Couldn't work on the BB for a couple days because of storms, rain and power outages.

I went yesterday evening and bought 10 bags of Portland Cement... That stuff sure is heavy!

Got a lot done today!... Installed the pins last night and put a plate on the outside/inside for more support... Today I welded the brackets for the top pin, welded the pipes in, and drilled a hole in the bottom where the pipes are.

Made a trailer hitch... I put a railroad plate in the bottom and welded it to the bottom of the BB, and welded the trailer hitch to it... I wanted to make sure the trailer hitch was welded in good.. Would hate for it to break loose with a trailer hooked to it!... The extra metal also added more weight to the box.

It sure don't look pretty down in the bottom, But it will be covered up with cement!... Was hard to weld down at the bottom.. Had to lay it on it's side and just about climb in it!

Right now the BB weighs 193lbs empty!... Tomorrow morning I'll fire up the mixer, and start filling it up!... I put my lower pins half way of the BB at 1ft, and that gave me great ground clearance ''IF'' I needed to raise it up high!
.

Nice Box...

Just be cognizant of the weight limit on the tow bar hitch, based on distance BEHIND the 3PH...

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

Nice Box...

Just be cognizant of the weight limit on the tow bar hitch, based on distance BEHIND the 3PH...

Thanks!, Paul.

I kind of figured that, but wasn't sure!... I even started to ask that question in the other thread.

I wanted it on there just in case I needed to move trailers around.
.