An Affordable Way to Make Your Tractor Safer - Ballast Box Setup

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Ballast Box Link: bit.ly/3hp6wSn Coupon Code: VVG5%OFF(Use the code to get 5% OFF sitewide in VEVOR) VEVOR Slogan: Tough Equipment&Tools, Pay Less #vevor Here is my ballast video A Complete Guide to Tractor Ballast - Including Cost Comparison kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHbKnGuZqLx0j7c And here is my tractor roll over video How to Prevent Tractor Rollover Accidents kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6HGY4ZrjNBjbac

[@michaelcampbell9594]

No need to mix concrete. Pour it all in dry and wet it in the box. I learned this trick installing 4 x 4 fence post. If you leave a bag of concrete in the rain you'll soon have a block.

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Cool beans Brock! I just finished recording the ending for part 2 of my ballast box build... and grossly underestimated how much concrete I was going to need. Apparently my math skills are lacking... I am a product of a public education lol. But, like you said, it is just weight. I just always fiddle with and nit pick my projects to death. I don't do that to others, but I torture myself with insignificant details. It's a curse... Thanks for sharing and well done! 🤠

[@NoName-sx5fl]

With that hitch receiver you could also grab a hitch cargo tray like you see on SUVs and add some room for taking tools with you. A lot cheaper than big tool rack and you still have your ballast.

[@llamathefuzz]

Great idea. This box looks great. I think I will replace the cheap 2" hitch attachment I had from amazon with one of these. I'm getting tired of hauling around a 5' box blade for ballast.

[@peacefieldfarm_mn]

I just looked up weight of dry vs wet concrete. It is essentially the same. Thanks for the video! Cheers!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks. I was having trouble finding that information

[@jacklabloom635]

You do not need rebar in a steel box like that. The concrete is not going anywhere and is not likely to crack. Rebar rust and can actually causes more problems than helps. Look at videos of bridge column structure failures where the concrete flakes off due to rusting rebar. There is new type rebar that is not made of steel that eliminates the rusting issue. Rebar is sometimes used on driveways to prevent the concrete from becoming uneven after it cracks, but concrete that is contained inside a steel box does not need any rebar. I am pointing this out for others who are going to buy the ballast box and fill it with concrete. You can also fill the box with solid concrete blocks. You might not get the same weight as poured concrete, but you can get pretty close. I enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@kennycurran6938]

Well Mr. Brock, I don't know whether to curse you or thank you. Because of you, I just spent $250 and ordered one, LOL. Thank you so much for the great and very informative video and also for the discount code which even sweetened the deal. I'm a welder and I can't (or won't) spend the time and materials to save any money at that price!!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching It is a useful tool

[@patriotallen9717]

Whats up Brock. The focus on safety is always good. Have not seen any other ballast box videos lately.

[@roberto.peterson9917]

Grew up in apple country and 55 gallon drum cut in half filled with concrete was the go to ballast for Apple handling full bin weight 1250 lbs and usually tack 4 high

[@Sparky-fy1zs]

I bought the same box a few months ago. I chose it because it has the hitch receiver and fork slots (and it was lowest cost). Painted it orange to match my Kubota. Filled it 3/4 full with about 500 lbs of old iron free weights for weight lifting (removable). I can use the top 1/4 to drop in a tool box, chain saw, etc. So far so good. Just a caution, the welds are holding so far but certainly not the quality construction you would expect if it was from JD, Kubota, etc. The welds are in 1-2" runs and not continuous. I think I saw someone on KZbin with a similar box and he added more welding to the joints on his before painting.

[@craigguinn5423]

I have a BX and a similar box. I set mine up for 415# which seems a good match for me. I bought 500# of river gravel a size up from pea gravel. Now I can open the slide to lighten up, or add from the rest of the pile. My box is about half full now. Also, the rocks drain well with a couple of holes drilled in the bottom.

[@craigguinn5423]

2024, bulk rocks cost $25 for 1/4 ton.

[@freddrawhorn8239]

I put in 3 x4 inch pvc pipes in mine 3 s hooks for buckets to hang on the outside ,2 cheap plastic chainsaw scabbard and where the door is I put a 2 inch hitch reciever in mine to use as a drawbar then back filled it with 80 pound bag of concrete

[@houndsmanone4563]

You'll appreciate having a smaller footprint for a ballast box. I have a small concrete ballast that I made from my own wooden forms and it only weighs about 600 pounds and does the job quite well and I have a smaller ballast footprint to be concerned about. I too made my concrete ballast quick hitch compatable so that I don't have to be concerned about getting on-and-off the tractor to fit the ballast onto my 3 point hitch. The Vevor ballast box will make things a bit more easy when you need that extra weight to offset front-loader lifting. Enjoyed a full-watch; have a fine week. 👍🏽🤠 9/27/23

[@Dan-oz4qb]

Looks good to me. The drawback is once that concrete sets you have no options. I didn't like that so I put pieces of old sidewalk in mine then poured pea gravel over it. Topped it off as the gravel settled into the voids over time. Basically free and gives me the option of emptying it out if needed. I actually almost never use it anyway. Those fork slots are a nice feature. I set mine on 4x4s but that means more trips on and off the tractor.

[@ProjectsWithPaul]

Good video. I built one out of scrap metal and concrete. It turned out awesome.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

DIY is the best option if you have the skills

[@Semper1776Fidelis]

I'm just going to build a plywood box from scraps, set it up on the carry all stick in a couple 3" pvc for tools and stick in a chainsaw bar sleeve (with a plywood in it to keep its shape and filled it with concrete. When it dries Ill strip the forms and strap it down to 12 " eye bolts I stuck in the mud. This way. I can drop it off and still use the carry all. Im cheap like that.

[@mikevonhoene6824]

Thanks for the video, why not raise the concrete to the top to keep water from getting in? Also, I purchased plastic plugs to keep stuff from filling the tool holes!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Good tips

[@scrhino40]

I bought a ballast box and I fill mine with dirt and once the dirt got wet it was heavier. Have a great day be safe.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for sharing

[@melissasmess2773]

That will rot out the bottom of your box quick!

[@jonpeters1116]

I just bought a similar ballast box and want to use it to hall stuff like small amounts of gravel, sand... The one I bought has a door you can lift up to let the gravel or sand out.

[@douglasjackson1998]

I have a wooden pallet bearing a stack of concrete blocks. A set of rear pallet forks lets me pick the pallet up when I need ballast. I may one day cast a solid block of concrete in place of the blocks.

[@mikerequa820]

Good video!! Nice ballast box should do the trick! For me most of the time I have a finish mower or bush hog box blade or angle blade or nothin on 3 point when I need to pick up somethin with loader haven't had any problem. My Mahindra 1626 will pick up 1500 lbs without ballast but I do have loaded tires. I really don't need it believe it would be more trouble than it's worth for me personally but could see where it could be good for others. Thanks for sharing be safe have fun enjoy

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@melissasmess2773]

I have been debating between a box and a rack of weights, the hitch makes it less difficult. A rack of weights puts the weight more forward, costs more though, easy to steal weights. Out here the farmers use blue 55 gallon water drums, weld a 3 point frame through the barrel and fill with concrete, the least expensive option yet😂 thanks!

[@OldIronAcres]

So funny seeing an old video of yours Brock! I hope you're proud of all the progress you've made sense this video!! And I need a ballast box! Do you still use your ballast box ever? I think it would work well with a tree puller, where I usually use my bush hog as ballast.... but I'd prefer a smaller ballast for more mobility, in small confining areas! -- Best, J.Andre. / Old Iron Acres

[@rodbagley1686]

I think you did good on that price. I bought a used JD box. I made the sliding door for the back. I sanded and repainted it. I gave 250 for mine. I think last year they were about 300 or a little more. No tool holders or hitch tube on it either.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for sharing Rod

[@theElderberryFarmer]

I'm not generally a fan of Vevor products (usually poor quality) - but as you've pointed out, Brock, it is just a steel box that's been painted. As long as the welds look good at the tabs where the lifting pins attach, it's hard to imagine much going wrong with this. For $259, this is hard to beat imho!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Right

[@roberto.peterson9917]

Higher you raise front forks the more ballast needed

[@stephenlehr6020]

They should add a bar at the the top, along the sides and back that would allow suit case weights to be hung off them. Would likely need to beef up the tabs that hold the 3 point pins( maybe, haven't seen them in person so they may be capable of holding more weight than the current listed max). Though 600+ lbs in that small a package is a good amount of ballast for sure, especially for the price (~$35 in concrete + the box, pins & bushings). Good video, have a good one Brock!! It would be interesting if someone would add a quick hitch on the rear of the box.......

[@Three-leggedRanch]

I've been wanting to do a ballast box like this, but those I've seen are not Quick Hitch compatible like this one. I'll take a good look at this one. Thanks for sharing. Also I could not help but notice that wet spot on the SW corner of your quonset building. I thought you fixed that in a recent video. Have a great day, Brock.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, doesn’t look like I have that drainage solved yet Have a good one

[@andrewanderson1436]

That outta work out great.

[@chris2884]

The rebar is interesting. Not sure why you would want to reinforce the concrete here.

[@foxbody-pv9nx]

how many bags of concrete did you end up using? 😁

[@JM-sy5qv]

i got this crazy idea. i have this rusting out fertilizer spreader and was wondering if filling it with concrete would be a good idea. but the concrete would be a cone shape at the top. I feel like that'd put a odd weight distribution on the tractor...

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, sounded like a good idea at first, but that weight distribution might be an issue

[@bentwedgestanleybrand5818]

Keep up the great videos

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@msilliphant]

i have to ask y r u putting reinforcing in the concrete its in side a metal box were is it going to go?

[@tschilling7333]

Well, that's how you waste a ton of time now, isn't it??? Wet down your ballast box with water, pour in a bag of concrete, wet the top, pour in another bag, wet the top, pour in another bag, wet the top, keep going until you fill the ballast box. Then prep and trowel the top like you did so it cures and looks nice. Who cares what the rest of the concrete looks like??? You'll never take it out, will you? Weight is weight, and I bet your concrete mix took about a month to dry and cure! LOL. Keep up the good work, I suppose you enjoy what you do and it's still helpful for many people. 😁

[@dustdevl1043]

Pouring it full of concrete mix pretty much nixes changing your mind later! 🤔

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Right. I gave it a good bit of thought

[@jean-pierregiroux7901]

Will this fit on a JD 3032e? Is this « standard » for all tractors?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yes, it is standard

[@brianlb78]

Why did you have to need bushings?

[@bryanthornton6787]

I'd dumped all of it in dry but the last bag or two.

[@UrbanDIYer]

Sweet deal

[@NYTROeast]

They are a good company to deal with I have bought a couple of things from them and had very good luck. But I did buy a front loader 3pt hitch adapter from them and by the time it got to me the box was beaten up and the hardware was missing and then when I went to hook it up to my loader it didn't fit I reached out to the company they had me send them a couple of photos so they could see what was going on with it. They weren't able to get me another one because they were out of stock they had me take it to a welder and get a couple quotes to fix what was wrong send them the bill and they refunded me the repair bill. Great company I will use them again

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for sharing your experience with them

[@tnsoos]

Lowe’s sells multiple kinds of switches

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, I need to go in and pick some thing up. This one was weather sealed But I try to avoid leaving it out side anyway

[@RoughNeckRage]

Just bought one, wasn't paying 30 bucks extra for green. Also idk the rumors but if you get away from a green tractor I'll question our friendship 🤣🤣. My 4066r would give that tym a run for its money.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I need to see that beast in person

[@BPAX]

Hi just wondering how many 50lb bags filled it. Thanks -you

[@RockhillfarmYT]

It’s been a while, so I don’t remember. I think I told that information in the video.

[@BPAX]

I thought you said 12 bags. Was that enough to fill it. Did you use them all? And was just enough. Thanks and hope I'm no bother @@RockhillfarmYT

[@andys5562]

I'll bet it's made in the same factory as the Titan box.

[@Tdale85]

It’s a pain to hook up anything to tow with the ballast box. Not being able to see the ball, it takes a while to judge the location of it to hook it up.

[@hagak1679]

Would painting a center line on the top help?

[@Tdale85]

@@hagak1679 a little not much though. The problem is the height difference and the length of the ball from the actual box. I prefer the front end loader forks frame with the built in hitch. Much easier to maneuver a trailer driving forward.

[@MrPr3shaff]

How many new members did you gain after your videos with Arms Family Homestead?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

1300 in a day. Which was great

[@MrPr3shaff]

@@RockhillfarmYT I watch Arm's all the time

[@PapaRug.58]

Water weighs about 8.5lb/us gal so after concrete sets I’m sure some weight is lost I’m sure somebody has a figure for that😊😊

[@andyflatt5066]

concrete weighs an average of 150 lbs/cubic foot. A 50 pound bag of quikrete makes 0.375 cubic feet. Using that math, a bag of quikrete makes about 56.25 lbs of concrete, so 10 bags would be 562.5 pounds of concrete. Sources - quikrete data sheet & online concrete weight calc. I searched a good number of sites that all put it at 150 lbs/cubic foot. YMMV -- I'm not an engineer or a concrete pro

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for looking that up I guessed 600 pounds of concrete but was having trouble finding the info

[@unclebuck5957]

Those small pins are going to bend I had to take out some bricks

[@patriotallen9717]

HMMM. I thought you were just going to put concrete blocks in there? Or just use metal plates to add the weight. But then Im not an expert on ballast boxes? Mixing concrete in the box limits you for multiple uses down the line....but then you may not need multiple uses!

[@clintbowen1305]

Brock, get out of my head! I was just looking at ballast boxes last night

[@randyjackson795]

I just can’t see spending $300-$500 for an empty box. For that price it serves NO useful/working purpose like for example a box blade for same price. That is just my opinion

[@unclebuck5957]

You can never take out the concrete I put bricks in mine I can take them out I would never put concrete in the box

[@hagak1679]

Why do you take them out? Currently looking at options. Seems if you can get properly sized steel plates you get to most density.

[@brianlb78]

There is no reason to take it out. What you going to do use it for storage or something? That's an awfully expensive storage option. Even if you tell it you can load it into someone's truck and they can unload it with their tractor. I never understood why people want to make their ballast sand or something so they can remove it lol, then you have to find something to put that sand in and get it back in the box if you ever want the weight back. It makes no sense.