John Deere EZ Ballast

“John Deere EZ Ballast”

Summary

The EZ Ballast System enables perfect ballasting the tractor within a few seconds without occupying normal connecting points like hitch and wheels on the tractor. The complete assembly and disassembly of ballast of 1.7t is controlled from the cab. This fast weight adjustment of the tractor guarantees the optimum traction for all different tasks the vehicle is performing. Increased productivity, time and cost savings are the main advantages of this unique system.

General Description

In the past farmers had to spend a lot of time to mount or remove 50kg weights from the tractor to prevent the front wheels from lifting and guarantee optimum traction for heavy draft applications.

Meanwhile, many tractors are equipped with a front hitch to at least cope with a quick and easy change of front weights. It still remains challenging to mount- and dismount rear wheel weights, which usually weigh between 600 and 1000 kg. This usually requires the integration of additional persons and costs a lot of valuable time during the season.

The new EZ ballast system not only allows the attachment of heavy weights in a matter of seconds. It also delivers a perfect weight distribution and reduces the overall center of gravity by attaching the ballast to the bottom of the tractor. The design of ballast and tractor is aligned in a way that the ground clearance is virtually unrestricted.

Mounting and dismounting of the ballast takes place automatically - conveniently controlled from the cab.

Features and Advantages

The operator has the opportunity to take an additional weight of 1,700 kg without having to leave his cab. He can also remove it quickly with the same convenience & fashion again.

For the first time this system allows an optimal adjustment of ballast and weight distribution between field work and transport operations. It also enables easy adjustments for a large variety of tasks and implements. This does not only save but also costs.

  1. Customer Benefits

This innovation provides the following benefits for the customers:

  • Vehicle weight can be adjusted by receiving / removing a large additional weight in a few seconds for transport or field work, optimum productivity is always guaranteed
  • Convenient, quick and easy installation of a large ballast weight (1.7 t), without leaving the cab . Significant time savings attaching tractor weights
  • One-man operation from the cabin , no additional help needed from the outside
  • Highest operational safety. Neither the driver has to leave the cab yet another person for mounting on the tractor is required.
  • Due to the ease of mounting and dismounting the ballast weight is actually only used when it makes sense. Estimated cost savings due to higher fuel efficiency with dismounted ballast are about 3 %, and up to 9 % more towing load.
  • Optimum weight distribution of the tractor is also maintained with mounted ballast (eg. 45% front / 55 % rear axle)
  • Automatic, i.e. safe, convenient, fast and easy operation (significant time savings to attach tractor weights): To install the EZ ballast weight it is not necessary that the operator leaves his seat.
  • The EZ ballast reduces the overall center of gravity of the machine and increases the stability at a minimal reduction of the ground clearance.
  • Front and rear attachment space remain completely for other devices
  • The additional weight of EZ ballast weighs 1,7 t. It can be combined with front weights, so that a total dietary 3.5T can be realized.
  • Cost savings by reducing the fuel costs of about 3%, if the weight is not cultivated, or up to 9% more towing capacity (see example in the appendix).

Driving comfort and safety are significantly increased by the lower center of gravity.

Market Importance

Agriculture in the ever more increase costs, increasingly important roles to weight distribution, ballasting and flexibility for tractors are allocated. The system of "weighted EZ" enables an optimal and easy management of a large ballast weight (1.7 ton) for all applications in the tractor. Fieldwork in the total weight will be increased to improve and thus increase traction Productivity. For transporting the ballast weight it may be mounted in seconds, where the payload increases. Also, in some European countries, because of some traffic regulations are a significant advantage.

Technical Description

The driver drives over 1700 kg, to catch itfrom the cab. The hydraulic force transmission is achieved from a hydraulic controller (MCS). The ballast weight is mounted and lift with double-acting cylinder. The amount of the EZ Ballast including the main arm cylinder safety and weighs about 230 kg.

To receive the weight, the tractor does not have to be perfectly positioned on weight. The weight is increased,and the cylinder is closed and secured. To remove the EZ Ballast again, the enclosure will be reopened and the cylinder stop weight again. The whole process will take place in seconds. For additional information serve the following figures and descriptions:

  1. TheWeigh

The ballast weight has a mass of 1700 kg (for John Deere 7R). The way the weight is designed so that the reduction in ground clearance is minimal and the weight distribution compared to a tractor without ballast does not change. (eg. 40% front / 60% rear axle).

  1. Table Weigh

Table / upper strut is mounted using 6 screws on the bottom of the tractor.

The figure above shows the side view of the frame / upright with weight. (Set).

  1. The mechanism

This top view shows the frame / upright and the corresponding components to raise the weight. Also, a hydraulic cylinder to carry the weight to the desired position is required.

The mechanism is controlled by a hydraulic controller (MCS). The only low cylinder and up the main striker arm, which is the weight for the catch hook and the two side arms, help the stability of the weights.

  1. Close up

A sensor opens and closes the lock cylinder when the cylinder rises and prevents the fall closing.

Additionally, a return valve prevents the anticipated pressure drop, so it is impossible level lowering cylinder.

  1. Procedure

The exact procedure is shown again visible in an accompanying video.

  1. Weigh Path

The tractor passes over the weight. The cylinder and the lifting mechanism are still in the starting point.

  1. Lowering the lifting mechanism

The lifting mechanism has moved. The tractor goes on weight and used them for a double acting cylinder, which is low. The hook is embedded in the casing weight, and the side arms resting on the weight for stability.

  1. Weigh Collection

The peso has risen to the position. The lowering of the weight is given in reverse.