General Ballast Information

CAUTION: Do not exceed permissible axle load or tire carrying capacities when adding ballast to the machine.

IMPORTANT: As front weight and tread width increase, steering capacity of machine is reduced.

Basic Ballasting Definitions

Ballast is mass added to machine chassis and/or wheels to:

• Increase total weight and/or

• Influence weight distribution between the front axle and rear axle (static balance). Static means that front and rear axle loads are determined when machine is parked.

Weight split is the static weight distribution between front and rear axles. It is expressed as percentages of total machine static weight supported by front and rear axles. For example, if the front axle supports 40% of total static machine weight, machine has a 40/60 weight split. Percentage of front axle weight is always stated first in this form.

A properly ballasted machine for a given type of implement (towed, integral, or semi-integral) has both correct total weight and static balance for that implement type.

Major Considerations

Required ballast amount and mounting location depend on type of implement being used and operating speed.

Ballasting is required to:

• Assure front axle carries sufficient weight for steering security and stability with a field draft load, as well as transport in field and on road.
• Provide sufficient traction to pull high draft loads efficiently.
• Provide proper fore/aft balance to minimize occurrence of power hop in MFWD machines.
• Assure rear axle carries sufficient weight for traction, braking, and stability when a loader or other front implement is attached to front of machine.

Reconfigure ballast on machine when changing from one implement or attachment to another.

Implement Type	MFWD
Towed	40/60
Semi-Integral	40/60
Integral	40/601