With the drawbar and toplink in the center mass it should balance well. However, since balance is't that important, if you ever build another move both as close to the tractor as you can (to sill have adequate strength). That puts more weight further from the tractor giving you more leverage from the weight, and allowing higher lift without banging against the center link. Also, some 2" or 3" PVC running down into the concrete makes a good way to carry shovels and rakes, etc. by sticking the handles down in there when you're moving to a worksite. Finally, I've seen something like this with a couple of clevis hooks embedded to allow for carrying a chain. Just a few ideas to make a "simple ballast box" a more useful tool. :) Looks great, though!
Loved every minute of the video. Thanks, hopefully, I'll remember the top link attachment measurements so as not to bend the top link. So good you pointed that out. I wouldn't have thought about it until you, and Joe Lesage mentioned it. Great videos, AK Thumbs up and have a fine week.
That’s awesome great idea I’m on the look out for a barrel. I have the same problem and didn’t want to spend a bunch of money for weight and it compact and won’t get in the way in the woods. Thanks man!
Great ideas, all around. I was thinking about using a sonotube and am glad I saw your video. Nice finishing touches on it too. Thank you for your video!!
Awesome stuff ! Glad there was an ending to the video ! Watched both of them. Only thing I wish you had also filmed was the install, it would have been the perfect ending. Pretty amazing what we can create with a little time and creativity ! awesome job ! 😁
Great vids on this only thing I would have done is put a couple bolts in on the hitch bar inside the plastic in case It shifts side to side on the hitch bar 😊😊
Just subscibed to your channel! Nice attention to details. Must be the nicest ballast I've ever seen! I don't know if it is too late, but be careful not to bend your upper link if it does interfere with the ballast when lifting... I've bent mine on my concrete ballast. Thanks!
I appreciate the sub and the views. Spread the word to your people that I am here for their viewing pleasure. It will help. I did bend the upper link first time I used it. But lessons learned. Thanks again.
Hey Travis I would think 6 inches would be too low. Once in awhile I will bottom out if I am in a really rough area but usually it is just fine. Thanks for watching
Ballast looks good It's almost a year since you made this video. Does it bang from side to side when you're using the tractor, and do you constantly have to lift it up because the hydraulic system seeps?
It has held up well so far . It does not bang side to side and I have not had to keep lifting it up I have not noticed any hydraulic seeping. Thanks for watching.
@@AkDadStuff Years ago, (gawd, I just thought about it and it's more than 50), I ran a tractor once with a loader and a 55 gallon drum, mounted on a three point hitch drawbar. The drum was filled with concrete and it banged side to side constantly. It was maddening to say the least. Keep an eye out for that. I think modern three points have the ability to control that side to side motion. If your lift has an external hydraulic cylinder, You can use a length of angle iron and some zip ties to keep the weight up. Put the iron against the piston, one end on the top of the cylinder, the other under the lift arm, and the zip ties to keep it in place. That will take the pressure off the seals inside the cylinder. I just thought I'd pass along those two things.
Hi Rosie.
Dude, I love that you numbered your videos.
Great video!!! just curious why didn’t you paint the top?
With the drawbar and toplink in the center mass it should balance well. However, since balance is't that important, if you ever build another move both as close to the tractor as you can (to sill have adequate strength). That puts more weight further from the tractor giving you more leverage from the weight, and allowing higher lift without banging against the center link. Also, some 2" or 3" PVC running down into the concrete makes a good way to carry shovels and rakes, etc. by sticking the handles down in there when you're moving to a worksite. Finally, I've seen something like this with a couple of clevis hooks embedded to allow for carrying a chain. Just a few ideas to make a "simple ballast box" a more useful tool. :) Looks great, though!
Like the pvc pipe idea and will have to incorporate that into my ballast build.
So did you actually cut the plastic bucket off? Or are you just painting the plastic bucket?
I enjoyed watching this project. Your an innovative thinker.
Thanks for watching
Maybe not an artist, but you are a master craftsman!!!!
Should have made it to fit the quick hitch.
I didn't have a quick hitch at the time
Well done!!
Loved every minute of the video. Thanks, hopefully, I'll remember the top link attachment measurements so as not to bend the top link. So good you pointed that out. I wouldn't have thought about it until you, and Joe Lesage mentioned it. Great videos, AK Thumbs up and have a fine week.
I wish I had thought about it before I did it but it still works. Thanks
Looks great Mike, enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching Garrett
Looks great. Are you an OR nurse?
Heyhey Brian I am not an OR nurse I am a nurse for the VA
Looks good 👍
That’s awesome great idea I’m on the look out for a barrel. I have the same problem and didn’t want to spend a bunch of money for weight and it compact and won’t get in the way in the woods. Thanks man!
Be sure to check with your Lowes or Home Depot about damaged bags of concrete you can get them cheap. Thanks for the comment and keep watching.
Very Creative...I subscribed.
Thank you I appreciate it
Great ideas, all around. I was thinking about using a sonotube and am glad I saw your video. Nice finishing touches on it too. Thank you for your video!!
Hey hey Jeffrey I'm glad you found my video too and glad it helped you
Great job!
Thanks for watching and the compliment. There are a few things I wished I had done differently but it turned out ok and works well.
That’s a great idea. So,ole but very effective.
Awesome stuff ! Glad there was an ending to the video ! Watched both of them. Only thing I wish you had also filmed was the install, it would have been the perfect ending. Pretty amazing what we can create with a little time and creativity ! awesome job ! 😁
Nice job!👍
AK, I watched this again b/c I'm going to make a ballast box. I too don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for just the box. Enjoyed a full watch.
The best kind of pickup truck? One that is paid for.
It was a good truck I sold it and now have one that is not paid for. LOL Thanks for watching
I certainly enjoyed this! I noticed your truck did not squat at all with all those bags of concrete in the rear.
Good stuff. Now you have ballast for the rear! Be much safer now using the tractor.Cheers !
Did you remove the plastic tub after it had cured, or are you spraying onto the plastic here?
Hey Peter I did not remove the plastic. I just painted it. Thanks for watching
Great vids on this only thing I would have done is put a couple bolts in on the hitch bar inside the plastic in case It shifts side to side on the hitch bar 😊😊
Would you have lowered the drawbar position on your diy counter ballast
Yes I would have and I would not have centered the top link. Thanks for watching
Looks good should come in real handy. Later
Just subscibed to your channel! Nice attention to details. Must be the nicest ballast I've ever seen! I don't know if it is too late, but be careful not to bend your upper link if it does interfere with the ballast when lifting... I've bent mine on my concrete ballast. Thanks!
I appreciate the sub and the views. Spread the word to your people that I am here for their viewing pleasure. It will help. I did bend the upper link first time I used it. But lessons learned. Thanks again.
Would you mind explaining that a little more for me pls so I avoid it? Thanks v much.
How is the clearance with the drawbar at 12" high? Does ballast bottom-out ever? Your thoughts on drawbar height of maybe 6" high?
Hey Travis I would think 6 inches would be too low. Once in awhile I will bottom out if I am in a really rough area but usually it is just fine. Thanks for watching
looks like an oem one with the colors and name on it.
Eric Jansen I wanted it to look nice
Watched both videos and still haven't seen it on action. Ten minutes of peeling tape and no demonstration of its operation.
Hey Jimmy the very next video is the first use and more after that. Thanks for watching
Ak how long did you let the concrete cure before you attached the ballast to the tractor and started using it ?
I used it the next day
What did you use for the drum that you filled. Is it a cut 55 gallon drum?
It's an old water softener salt tub
@@AkDadStuff thanks
Why is the top part called? I am having a hard time time finding it online.
Here is the link to it. I would not put it in the center , move it closer to the edge or you will bend your third arm. Thanks for watching
AkDadStuff sorry but I don’t see a link.
@@armypilot1 I forgot to attach the link here it is www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYXFUVH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
AkDadStuff thank you!!
Top connection link should be closer to the tractor side of barrel. If you raise it too far the top link bar my bend on the side of the barrel
I realized that after I was done and did indeed bend my top link. That was almost 3 years ago so I have got used to it now. Thanks for watching
What cat. drawbar did you use for that?
That is a cat 1
@@AkDadStuff Thank you!
This may be 4y old, but I don't think there is a better box idea video on YT, I need to find me a plastic barrel!
If you could find yourself some Allis-Chalmers orange it will match
Ballast looks good It's almost a year since you made this video. Does it bang from side to side when you're using the tractor, and do you constantly have to lift it up because the hydraulic system seeps?
It has held up well so far . It does not bang side to side and I have not had to keep lifting it up I have not noticed any hydraulic seeping. Thanks for watching.
@@AkDadStuff Years ago, (gawd, I just thought about it and it's more than 50), I ran a tractor once with a loader and a 55 gallon drum, mounted on a three point hitch drawbar. The drum was filled with concrete and it banged side to side constantly. It was maddening to say the least. Keep an eye out for that. I think modern three points have the ability to control that side to side motion. If your lift has an external hydraulic cylinder, You can use a length of angle iron and some zip ties to keep the weight up. Put the iron against the piston, one end on the top of the cylinder, the other under the lift arm, and the zip ties to keep it in place. That will take the pressure off the seals inside the cylinder. I just thought I'd pass along those two things.
@@jimwilloughby Thanks I will keep an eye on it. It does have stabilizers to keep it from swing side to side.
Did you consider painting it yellow with flowers 💐?