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A guide in ballasting tractors is to use PTO horse- power combined with the kind of ballast needed for a particular job-light, medium or heavy ballast. Start the process of ballasting with the lightest ballast that may do the job. Then add ballast as needed to get performance desired.
NOTE:
Correct weight split must be maintained when adding or removing ballast. Cast weight is preferred to get the best tractive performance.
Ballast levels are based on the following travel speeds:
| Light |
Medium |
Heavy |
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8.7 km/h
(5.4 mph) |
7.7 km/h
(4.8 mph) |
7.2 km/h
(4.5 mph) |
More or less weight will be needed, if different travel speeds are used. Higher speeds do not require as much weight. The final indication of correct ballast is wheel slip measured in the field.
NOTE:
Radar is recommended to continually monitor wheel slip. Checking wheel slip manually is
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possible but will only show slip in one area of the field. Field conditions vary from one area to the other and it is necessary to maintain the correct average wheel slip to maintain optimum tractive performance.
Add more weight if slip is excessive. Remove weight if there is less than minimum percent slip.
If implement pull at full load is 8.7 km/h (5.4 mph) or more, tractor may operate unballasted. Medium ballast is a better choice, if operating at full load between 7.7 and 8.7 km/h (4.8 and 5.4 mph). Heavy ballast should only be used for the few implements (such as deep rippers) which require full-load traction below 7.2 km/h (4.5 mph).
IMPORTANT:
To extend drivetrain life, never add ballast that results in continuous full-power loads below 6th gear.
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