Tip-over control

[crazyal]

I use to feel the same way in my full sized backhoe. I would lean over in the seat (like my 200lbs is going to make any difference to a 12,000 lb machine). I think it's the seat height that makes the difference. The higher the seat the more it feels like you'll tip. Maybe we are built with an internal center or gravity meter?

 

[megaboz]

For those of you think you are tipping, that might be a good thing because you are not taking for granted that you are on an expensive piece of equipment. But more importantly, your life that is priceless can not be fixed!

We all have done things on our tractors that have caused us to ruin a few britches and seats.

Being higher in the seat does account for some of the feelings that it is going to tip.

I can't suggest a solution other than it is better to be safe then sorry, and yes there are times when maybe you should go faster rather than slower. Ever see a motorcycle go slow up a hill climb and make it?

Just because you have went the same path a 100 times doesn't mean that you will have the same experience on the 101th time. I've experienced that the hard way a few times and got might lucky.

 

[Toolguy]

I have just one steep spot along the road. I mow it with my B3030 that has the rears filled with Rimguard. I never felt like I was going to tip over, but just to reassure myself I stopped the tractor on the steepest part, got off and stood on the high side and pushed on the tractor to see if I could get the high side wheel to lift off the ground. No matter how hard I pushed or rocked the tractor side to side the high side wheel never even came close to lifting. That satisfied me that I had nothing to worry about. I still slow down when I mow that area, though, just to be safe. You are smart to trust your feelings when it comes to safety issues. Better safe than sorry.

 

[jcaron2]

Came across this picture today. There's a new highway near me where they cut down probably 80 feet of hillside at about this same angle. I saw a guy mowing it the other day right up near the top. It was a big tractor with dual rear wheels, and I realize that it's all the same to the tractor whether he's near the top of the hill or the bottom, but I still can't imagine how scary that would be looking down eight stories at that kind of angle.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I also notice that he has ag tires paired up with agressive turf tires. Bet that is a good combo for what he's doing. Still... I'll bet his as***** is biting donuts. Mine would be.

That machine is quite different though than riding a L-series on that kind of grade. I've seen Kut-King's with the tandem wheels on grades like that too. They just fly along; I'm not sure you could turn one over

I really appreciate the great tips you guys have posted on here regarding my whimpy concerns. What I 've learned is - continue to be very careful, especially on downhill turns. One other thing is, give it time. Another 200 hours of seat time will certainly ease the fear somewhat. I'll get used to it as I did with my Ole Blue, Fordson Dexta pogo-stick seat.

I'm loving my L3400. It's not a dozer, nor a 100 hp bull, but it does what I ask as long as I ask for an appropriate task. It's one heck of a machine.

 

[ruready1]

Just a wild guess, but I'd almost bet money that your dealer set your rear width to 5' to match your bucket. Mine did and I had several close calls with more than one instance where the wife could see daylight under one side!!!!

Having talked with some of the guys at the fire barn that run all sorts of equipment for their regular jobs, the decision was made that I needed to move the tires further out. Took 20min and what a difference!!! If you are set to 5', unbolt the rims from the centers and move them to the opposite sides (leaving the centers on the tractor. You'll be using the tabs that are farthest out now, they'll be furthest in when you swap everything. Hope this makes sense!

Take Care,
Mike

 

[Baby Grand]

To the OP:

Hint - Find out if your R4 rims/tires are reversible before you try the side-swap. If so, you may have a quick/free stability improvement available.

-Jim

 

[LBrown59]

you might get an incline gauge, as discussed often here (R&B). Tractors have a high center of gravity and no suspension, and just don't like being sideways on a slope. 15 degrees is considered max. 10 degrees is as far as I'll go on the little one, the big tractors wider stance and more weight seem to take a lot more.

I've found It just the other way around.
The bigger The tractor the bigger the pucker factor.

 

[LBrown59]

Probably not as much as rolling down a hillside...

I mow some pretty steep stuff with my Case and have for years and it still makes me pucker up even though I "know" it didn't tip over the last time.

Better still stay off such hill sides.

 

[LBrown59]

I find the Ls much more stable than the Bs

I'v discovered
Large tippy
Small stable.