Tractor Ballast
- Thread starter rdinatal
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Had fun, and think I lost 5 lbs!
In exchange for doing a good dead, God (or the invisible wizard in the sky if that’s your thing) made sure that when we walked into the furniture store this afternoon that the exact lounge that Lisa wanted was the first thing we saw AND it was discontinued so marked down 70%. You guys laugh all you want, but I went to a furniture store with my wife and was out, with the right thing, cheap, in under 15 min.
In exchange for doing a good dead, God (or the invisible wizard in the sky if that’s your thing) made sure that when we walked into the furniture store this afternoon that the exact lounge that Lisa wanted was the first thing we saw AND it was discontinued so marked down 70%. You guys laugh all you want, but I went to a furniture store with my wife and was out, with the right thing, cheap, in under 15 min.
OP
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LOL, yesterday and today went to ..........Sweet dreams,Ashley,rooms to go, rooms to go teen, Brawly furniture, ikea, 28 to go, Iona, second hand furniture consignment only to go back to sweet dreams then to decided what to order online.
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My wife always ask me to go then ask my opinion. Never matters and I could care less because I decorated two rooms myself in what I wanted and I’m good. If its not light brown, medium brown, or dark brown it’s not happening. Yuck.
Look at all those bullets !!
"Pat, can I have an "L"?
OP
Reporting you as not funny.
Too late, the spousal unit already has... multiple times.
The funny thing is after my post, I started a thread and messed up that title. I think I caught and fixed it before someone else noticed
OP
The frame is taking shape. After cleaning out my side of the garage (90% of the garage) I wanted to weld up the base before getting cleaned up.
Needed to attach the C channel to the hitch. My welding is getting better. Not as good as some (ok, most) but I'm proud of it. I did a hammer test. Hit it hard and sounded like a single solid thud.
Can't decide if I will go with 1" corners pictured or 2". Probably 2" as it will add weight and strength.
Needed to attach the C channel to the hitch. My welding is getting better. Not as good as some (ok, most
) but I'm proud of it. I did a hammer test. Hit it hard and sounded like a single solid thud.Can't decide if I will go with 1" corners pictured or 2". Probably 2" as it will add weight and strength.
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Looking good!
I finally got the last of it poured into ingots yesterday. The regulator failed after you left, replaced it with one from Lowes, but it didn’t put out enough gas, so ordered a 30lb one online and she’s working again.
The lead stash is getting too big, need to stop hoarding and start casting!
I finally got the last of it poured into ingots yesterday. The regulator failed after you left, replaced it with one from Lowes, but it didn’t put out enough gas, so ordered a 30lb one online and she’s working again.
The lead stash is getting too big, need to stop hoarding and start casting!
OP
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The frame is taking shape. After cleaning out my side of the garage (90% of the garage) I wanted to weld up the base before getting cleaned up.
Needed to attach the C channel to the hitch. My welding is getting better. Not as good as some (ok, most
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Can't decide if I will go with 1" corners pictured or 2". Probably 2" as it will add weight and strength.
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Slow down when welding and watch the puddle. That is critical. If you are not penetrating the metal heat is too low, or you are going too fast. If you are burning holes heat is too high. Adjust accordingly but always remember the puddle.
OP
I catch myself going too fast. Other times I can't see the puddle. Only sometimes due to my eyes. The comfortable distance is in my bad spot (14-15").
That is the other thing about welding. Always weld from a comfortable position. You can get magnifying lens covers for your shield.
OP
Over the last two days I was able to spend some quality garage time. 180lbs so far...
Planning on how to attach the corners to the D ring on the hitch frame. Also want to cut some 3/4" plywood as a spacer/filler. Went with 2" corners vs. 1".
Don't laugh at the welds. They look bad but they are solid.
Planning on how to attach the corners to the D ring on the hitch frame. Also want to cut some 3/4" plywood as a spacer/filler. Went with 2" corners vs. 1".
Don't laugh at the welds. They look bad but they are solid.
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Slacker
Liquor and Whores...
I have a feeling that receiver hitch isn't going to take that load forever.
Watch your toes around that thing.
I used half a 30 gallon drum with a drawbar run through the middle, filled with rocks and concrete. I like that it adds very little length for tight quarters manuvering.
Watch your toes around that thing.
I used half a 30 gallon drum with a drawbar run through the middle, filled with rocks and concrete. I like that it adds very little length for tight quarters manuvering.
OP
Really? The draw bar is rated for 500lbs. The 3pt hitch is 8k/500. The target weight for the whole thing is 200lbs. Everything sits on top, nothing to the side that can shear.
Maybe I didn't think it through enough?
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Your trailer tongue weight is more than that ballast. Your fine with that
I don’t know how they rate these things, but a 200lb weight bouncing around could pretty easily exceed the force of a 500lb static weight.
Could you bring it in from the other side of the hitch and get some of the weight onto the hitch frame?
Looking good!
OP
I use the A frame a lot for mounting a ripper tooth, drag harrow. Could have done what you described but that would mean more stuff to swap on/off.
OP
@JimB and @Slacker got me thinking...
Looked to see if it could be mounted between the frame and tractor. Nope, not enough room when the arms are up.
So, I removed the hitch pin and slid it all the way forward till it bottomed. Shorter by 5"!
Using a 3/8" pin to hold it. Right now it's a bolt. That's not the only holding point I wanted.
The plan was to cut down the sway when the holder was mounted on the A frame by useng the D ring. Now that it's closer to the frame it was easy to do. Welded a bolt mount and sandwiched the D ring. Very tight, with no movement.
Next was to limit movement of the lead ingots in holder. Cut up some plywood for fillers panels!
Final product.
Looked to see if it could be mounted between the frame and tractor. Nope, not enough room when the arms are up.
So, I removed the hitch pin and slid it all the way forward till it bottomed. Shorter by 5"!
Using a 3/8" pin to hold it. Right now it's a bolt. That's not the only holding point I wanted.
The plan was to cut down the sway when the holder was mounted on the A frame by useng the D ring. Now that it's closer to the frame it was easy to do. Welded a bolt mount and sandwiched the D ring. Very tight, with no movement.
Next was to limit movement of the lead ingots in holder. Cut up some plywood for fillers panels!
Final product.
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ronn47
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I'd weld in a triangle piece of steel under your box where the receiver hitch bends upward.
That would help with not bending that piece of steel.
That would help with not bending that piece of steel.
Tim
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why?! WHY say these things out loud?! That’s just asking for trouble.
OP
Yeah, but I'm a cheap SOB. Plus...
- It keeps me off the streets
- Not as fun
- I get to weld things
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I need to bring that 560 down there and let you weld me up another pulling hitch then
OP
I need to bring that 560 down there and let you weld me up another pulling hitch then
For that class of hitch you'll need someone of @LeeMajors (or others) experience. Unless you want it to be real fugly then I'm your guy.
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OP
Yes, loader on the front. The capacity exceeds the ability lift and the rear comes up. Also it's pucker time when moving around with almost a full load. I need more stability.
Both rear tires are filled. More weight is needed in certain situations.
Bolt on wheel weights are out of budget.
$$$$
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OP
When I need it I put a scrape blade on. Works well but, at 5' it gets in the way. Plus, if I'm not going to use it why trailer it up and take space.
I needed an alternative.
OP
Picked up the final piece(s). Another 25lbs of lead from @frakncylons. Right now they cut in sticks and strapped. Maybe they'll be melted in a single ingot. Maybe not...
Total weight at 200lbs+
Actually have a job next door to try it out tomorrow. 20yds of fill dirt with a downward slope. It should give some 'seat of the pants' measurement!
Total weight at 200lbs+
Actually have a job next door to try it out tomorrow. 20yds of fill dirt with a downward slope. It should give some 'seat of the pants' measurement!
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georgel
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I don't know. That 200lb tall stack of lead balanced on top of a single point seems like it's going to put a lot of stress on that 2" receiver and weld. Especially pitching back and forth while tractors do what they do.
But, I appreciate a DIY project. I need to get to welding myself.
But, I appreciate a DIY project. I need to get to welding myself.
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OP
Updated for the edit. (This is cool, I edit all the time)
I'm trusting the numbers on this.
The draw bar is rated for 500lbs vertical. The 3pt hitch is 8k/500. The target weight for the whole thing is 200lbs. Everything sits on top, nothing to the side that can shear (my welds).
If it fails I just get to pick up a bunch of lead ingots in the dirt! I'm sure I'll notice anything wrong right away (run over it or start to pucker). I always move with the bucket low, low, low.
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