Garvee 3-Point Hitch Ballast Box, 800 lb: features, specs and fit

The Garvee 3-point hitch ballast box is a steel box that mounts on the rear hitch of a tractor and adds weight where a loader needs it. When a front loader lifts a heavy load, the front axle carries more strain and the back of the tractor can get light. A ballast box counters that, and it can double as tool storage. Here is what the specs mean and what to confirm before you buy.

Why rear ballast matters

A loader works like a lever: the heavier the load in the bucket, the more weight moves onto the front axle and the less presses down on the rear tyres. Garvee says its ballast box protects the integrity of the front axle and improves traction by shifting weight from the weaker front end to the stronger rear. The box is filled with material of your choice, such as sand, gravel or tools, up to the listed limit, and the weight at the back helps keep the tractor stable and reduce tipping risk when lifting.

Category 1 three-point hitch

Three-point hitches come in standard categories based on pin sizes and spacing. Category 1 is the smallest and is common on compact and sub-compact tractors. Garvee says this box is designed for Category 1 tractors, including loaders and skid steers with a compatible hitch, and advises making sure your machine suits it. A 2 in quick hitch receiver is also listed. Check your tractor's hitch category and its rated lift capacity in the manual.

Capacity and tool storage

The listing says the box holds up to 800 lb and also offers 5 cubic feet of storage for tools. A pair of integrated tube holders (described as pipe racks) is included. The box measures 23.0 x 14.5 x 26.0 inches and weighs 94.1 lb empty (about 43 kg), so you'll need a way to lift it, or to fit it to the hitch when empty and fill it afterward.

Steel and finish

Garvee describes it as heavy-duty steel with a gloss red powder-coated finish designed to prevent rust and corrosion. Powder coating is a baked-on layer that typically outlasts basic paint, though scratches should be touched up so bare steel doesn't rust.

Who it suits

It suits owners of compact tractors who use a front-end loader regularly, and anyone who carries tools to far corners of a property and wants them on the machine. It also helps with other rear-mounted work where extra weight improves grip, within the tractor's limits.

What to check before you buy

• Hitch category: confirm your tractor is Category 1 and that the pins and width match.
• Total weight: add the empty 94.1 lb to the 800 lb fill and compare with your tractor's rear lift capacity.
• Loader balance: consider how much counterweight your loader's usual loads call for.
• Fill material: choose a ballast that won't shift or leak, and keep it secure.
• Tool storage: check the 5 cubic feet and tube holders suit your tools.
• Clearance: make sure the box doesn't hit other attachments or a PTO shaft.
• Upkeep: check the bolts and finish regularly, and follow the manual.

The short version

• A steel three-point ballast box for Category 1 hitches with a 2 in quick hitch receiver.
• Listed capacity of 800 lb, plus 5 cubic feet of tool storage and integrated tube holders.
• 23.0 x 14.5 x 26.0 inches; 94.1 lb empty; gloss red powder coat.
• Meant to shift weight toward the rear and ease strain on the front axle.
• Match it to your tractor's hitch and lift limits first.

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