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A guide in ballasting tractors is to use engine horsepower combined with the kind of ballast needed for a particular job-light, medium or heavy. Start the process with the lightest ballast that can 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.
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 possible but will only show slip in one area of the field. Knowing the correct average wheel
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slip is necessary 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 5.5 mph (8.8 km/h) or more, tractor may operate unballasted. Medium ballast is a better choice, if operating at full load between 4.5 and 5.5 mph (7.2 and 8.8 km/h). Heavy ballast should only be used for the few implements (such as deep rippers) which require full-load traction below 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h).
IMPORTANT:
Never add ballast that results in continuous full-power loads below 4.1 mph (6.6 km/h). Continued operation below 4.1 mph (6.6 km/h) will shorten drivetrain life.
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