Worksheet to Calculate Ballast Changes

IMPORTANT: Ballast must not exceed weight required to result in recommended percent slip at 6.6 km/h (4.1 mph) MINIMUM.

Completed worksheet provides suggested initial ballast recommendations. Ballast should be adjusted to match field and operation conditions. Complete worksheet prior to changing ballast and tire air pressures to help achieve optimal tractor performance.

1. Determine desired weight of tractor. See General Performance Guidelines in this section of this Operator’s Manual.				____ % Front
2. Record desired weight of tractor. See Ballasting for Engine Horsepower in this section of this Operator’s Manual.				_______
				Front	Rear	Total
3. Percent of Weight Split from Step 1 multiplied by Step 2 (Desired Weight) results in Total Front Weight. For Rear Weight, subtract front weight from Total Weight. This determines weight on each axle.				________	________	________
4. Weight of tractor as determined from the UNBALLASTED TRACTOR WEIGHT CHART, in this section of this Operator’s Manual, or weight from scale.				________	________	________
5. Ballast needed (subtract tractor weight in Step 4 from desired weight in Step 3).				________	________
6. Add front ballast.				________	________
7. Determine weight removed from rear axle when ballasting front axle, if using suitcase weights and add weight to Step 5.				________	________	________
8. Add ballast from Step 7 to weights from Step 5.				________	________
9. Set tire pressure for operating conditions using weights from Step 7 (see appropriate inflation pressure table in the Wheels, Tires, and Treads section in this Operator’s Manual).					________
NOTE: Wheel slippage can now be tested. See MEASURING WHEEL SLIP, in this section of this Operator’s Manual.