[Adams Plowing]

You definatly got lucky on that one... better double check next time ya put it on... i sure know i wouldnt be that lucky...

 

[Roger Dodger]

Re: Rodger

By Misattached you mean the pins were not engaged and the plow was resting against its truck frame ? That would have been a wild ride

Yes, one pin was fully seated and the other wasn't, so it created some flop that was definitely noticable and made for serious handling problems. I believe Fisher's push-plate design helped to keep things somewhat held into the "pocket". It still gives me a sick feeling just to think what could've happened! I feel foolish for even mentioning it but, if this serves as a reminder to others, it's worth looking like a nin-come-poop (just for this one time that is!!!!)

 

[Brian Simmons]

that was a close one. As far as ballast goes we only recommend enough to put us within the 62% reserve allowance. Meaning that with the 300# off ballast for your truck you are within the legal limits of the FMVSS. I know alot of our customers usually will lay down a thick steel plate(s). that way it does not take up valuable space.

 

[BRL]

"I feel foolish for even mentioning it but, if this serves as a reminder to others, it's worth looking like a nin-come-poop (just for this one time that is!!!!)"

No need to feel foolish about this one. I need my fingers & my toes to count the amount of times I've mis pinned, forgot to pin, or lost a pin. It happens, even when you think you are double checking yourself.

What is FMVSS?? Thanks.

Ballast, hmmm.... I am sure I'm always loaded way above what that acronym means The Blazer usually has 600- 800 pounds in it, the F-250 usually has a little over a ton or so, and when I had an F-350 Mason Dump, that always had a couple of tons or so. I never knew you could have too much ballast. But they sure do plow well!!

 

[Brian Simmons]

Federal Motor Vehicle Saftey Standards

 

[WoofsPlow]

PLOWTECH - I am an engineer and still had a difficult figuring the ballast weight for my truck. Some of the information I just can't readily get (weight of axels for examble). The calcs are not written correctly and overall it was difficult to figure. :soapbox

AnYways....thanks for your input here. My question is this what do I need for ballast?

1995 Toyota Pickup xcab
6'-9" LD MM1

THANKS!

 

[chayesf250]

Here is a link to the Fisher website where they have a list of vehicles and how much ballast they recommend you should carry. I know everybody does not have a Fisher, but it may be a good place to start. You need Adobe Acrobat reader, and the chart starts on page 8.

http://www.fisherplows.com/pdf/27443_030103.pdf

 

[Roger Dodger]

Wait a minute now! Hey Plowtech (or others), help me out here:

For my 7.5'RD blade, that chart calls for only 250lbs. ballast for my truck!! -- V10 2500 QC 6.5' bed. Even at 280 lbs. I was spinning tire like never before when the plow is hung. I couldn't turn a corner faster than 5-10 mph and on wet roads I had to allow for plenty of time to gain momentum before an oncoming vehicle!! My tread is good too and I experimented with a couple different air pressure settings but no improvement. I now have 400# and things behave much better. So what gives?

 

[WoofsPlow]

chayesf250 - Thanks for the link I could'nt find it. I looked it up - 600# of ballast! Holy **** I didn't think it was that front heavy. Oh, well I would be carrying bagged salt anyways.

 

[W-n-K Landscaping]

Plowtech-
Any way you might be able to help me out as well? I tried to look up my truck and was not successful in finding the ballast listed. I have an '88 full size Blazer with a 7'6" Minute Mount- the HD one, not light duty. When I looked it up in the chart for older vehicles, I found the plow with no problem- but I either did not see, or it wasn't listed as to what the ballast weight should be. I plan on getting soem tube sand, plus I will also be carrying salt for the small spreader on the back, but I would like to figure out what I should try and leave in the back on a regular basis.

Thanks!!

Bill

 

[EZSnow]

recommended ballast is just that- recommended. If you're still spinning the tires with the recommended ballast- add more!! That's just the amount reuired from proper center of gravity and wight distribution over the axles. I doubt that adding more weight will harm anything, as long as you stay under front and rear GAWRs and GVWR.
LOAD 'ER UP!!! so this doesn't happen anymore!:burnout

 

[Brian Simmons]

EZ snow is right we just recommend the amount to be within the legal guide lines. You can put as much as you would like for traction purposes just don't exceed the GVWR. Cnypropertysvcs, the reason your truck is not listed is we do not have to provide ballast numbers at all. Actually it is the customers responsibility to make sure the truck is equiped with the appropriate amount of ballast. In 1997 we took the liberty of providing you with these numbers as good customer servicing. Time and resources is the reason we did not go back and figure them out for all of the vehicles. If you read our Kit selection guide all of the vehicles listed are "representative vehicles" meaning that they are all equipped with the same options - auto trans, A/C, spare tire and wheel, rear bumper, 4X4 drive train, and full of fluids - any vehicles with significantly different options should be weighed along with all of the other info required on our Ballast inquiry sheet located on the last page of our lit selection guide. Fax this sheet in and we will calculate the ballast for you. Fill this in and fax it to me and i would be more than happy to get those numbers for you.

Could we get a spellcheck - all these big words takes me a while to double check.:grinz :grinz

 

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I will try to get to it in the next couple of days- kinda busy trying to wrap up a roof and deck- if it would only stop RAINING!!! LOL!

I just need a week and then it can snow!!

Thanks again- Bill

Oh, btw- check out our thread on the spell checker in the forum support area- you'll get a kick out of it and find out why we don't have it yet- although at the rate this site is growing I wouldn't be surprised to see it soon!

 

[Roger Dodger]

Oh, I see now. This explains everything. Since I can haul 2800lbs. I won't worry about tractions problems again, once that bed is full of sandbags! Now, if i can find just enough room for the snowshovel!!