Another rollover

[nebraskasparks]

Just read today on the site about another tip of a tractor. Many have done it and survived and many of us (self included) have come very very close.

There are so many people buying tractors for the first time and getting advice on TBN that we need to get the word out every day that slope and increasing FEL height will kill us.

If you google "slope and front end loaders" you'll start reading some disturbing reports. When you look at the tractor that's tipped over you'll often see the FEL above the hood of the tractor. The advice of keeping the load at front axle level is very sound advice. Putting weight on the rear end is also essential. I still haven't found a good graph yet but I'm still searching.

I think it's essential when addressing those of us that have made new purchases that the hydraulics of old and new equipment will exceed the stability of keeping four tires on the ground. We can save some folks by repeating this message over and over.

 

[Mace Canute]

Part of the problem too IMHO is some of these FELs are quite large for the weight of the tractor they are on. It's like a guy at a dance...when he is dancing with a slim little gal, he swings her about. When he dances with Big Bertha, he gets swung about. Say no to Big Bertha FELs!

 

[texasjohn]

One message that needs to get thru is that all CUTs need sufficient weight to more than counterbalance the FEL and 3PH hydraulic capacity. They do NOT come this way, you, the user, must add it.

This is not a shortcoming of any brand or model tractor, rather a statement regarding the flexibility of these beasts.

Front weights
loaded tires
tire weights
rear weight

You must be capable of adding sufficient weight such that you CANNOT raise the rear or front of your tractor when chaining down the FEL or 3PH to an immovable object. The hydraulic relief valve must give before your tractor leaves the ground.... and sufficiently before such that you maintain good ground traction.

Now, you don't have to carry all the weight all the time, adjust it to match the task you are doing.

If you have the weight available, now we are down to needing good judgment as to when and how much to use when rigging for a particular task. And to proper operation as to FEL height, vehicle velocity, terrain, rotational speed, etc.

Myself, I'm capable of rigging as follows

loaded tires..... 1100 lbs total....always there

FEL bucket.....never removed unless for a different implement..forks, etc. Can load with rock/material for extra front load

Always have an implement on 3PH unless something hitched to drawbar.

Implements include..back hoe, shredder, disk harrow with 500 lbs rock sitting on top, box blade with 1000 lbs extra weight sitting on it, rear hay fork with extra 250 lbs on it.

Took me a while to collect all the weights to permanently leave them on each implement, but well worth it.

Always chain to drawbar, never to 3PH, thus keeping pull BELOW rear axle.

Nebraskasparks, excellent points you make!

 

[nebraskasparks]

One message that needs to get thru is that all CUTs need sufficient weight to more than counterbalance the FEL and 3PH hydraulic capacity. They do NOT come this way, you, the user, must add it.

This is not a shortcoming of any brand or model tractor, rather a statement regarding the flexibility of these beasts.

Front weights
loaded tires
tire weights
rear weight

You must be capable of adding sufficient weight such that you CANNOT raise the rear or front of your tractor when chaining down the FEL or 3PH to an immovable object. The hydraulic relief valve must give before your tractor leaves the ground.... and sufficiently before such that you maintain good ground traction.

Now, you don't have to carry all the weight all the time, adjust it to match the task you are doing.

If you have the weight available, now we are down to needing good judgment as to when and how much to use when rigging for a particular task. And to proper operation as to FEL height, vehicle velocity, terrain, rotational speed, etc.

Myself, I'm capable of rigging as follows

loaded tires..... 1100 lbs total....always there

FEL bucket.....never removed unless for a different implement..forks, etc. Can load with rock/material for extra front load

Always have an implement on 3PH unless something hitched to drawbar.

Implements include..back hoe, shredder, disk harrow with 500 lbs rock sitting on top, box blade with 1000 lbs extra weight sitting on it, rear hay fork with extra 250 lbs on it.

Took me a while to collect all the weights to permanently leave them on each implement, but well worth it.

Always chain to drawbar, never to 3PH, thus keeping pull BELOW rear axle.

Nebraskasparks, excellent points you make!

There have been excellent points made by many people here at TBN...it's never too late to learn.

 

[nebraskasparks]

Part of the problem too IMHO is some of these FELs are quite large for the weight of the tractor they are on. It's like a guy at a dance...when he is dancing with a slim little gal, he swings her about. When he dances with Big Bertha, he gets swung about. Say no to Big Bertha FELs!

Great analogy...it's all about weight, balance and moment arms. Big Bertha can kill you.

 

[jlsmith]

Its also about common sence. If it dont feel right dont do it. I think the dealer is also a BIG part in teaching the customer proper safty with a tractor too. I spend any where from 2 to 6 hrs with a customer I know hasnt been around tractors to make shure he/she is comfortable with the tractor and knows the do's and dont's with it JMHO :thumbsup:

 

[zene55]

I am a new tractor owner and very concerned with this problem. I wanted to ask some questions about tire loading? 1. Who is equiped to do it? 2. How much does it cost? 3. Are there any drawbacks?

 

[TripleR]

I am a new tractor owner and very concerned with this problem. I wanted to ask some questions about tire loading? 1. Who is equiped to do it? 2. How much does it cost? 3. Are there any drawbacks?

I know my limitations, so I had mine done by the dealer. Any Ag tire dealer can also do it. The cost is going to vary depending on what you use, calcium, beet juice/Rimguard, windshield wiper fluid, water...

 

[bigballer]

I am a new tractor owner and very concerned with this problem. I wanted to ask some questions about tire loading? 1. Who is equiped to do it? 2. How much does it cost? 3. Are there any drawbacks?

check with the big tire shops, my local shop brought out beetjuice and it cost me about $225 which is why i put if off the first 2 years of owning my tractor.. that was stupid, had i known the difference it would make i would have paid 2x that and had it done before the dealer delivered it!

having said that i am still very cautious on slopes and try to go up/down vs across whenever i can and regardless of having anything in the bucket i keep it so low it's just clearing the ground.. i want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible at all times.. maybe i have watched/read too many rollover videos/stories..

 

[nebraskasparks]

I've been taking my time with the new tractor to see how it performs. I had 2 sets of iron weights added to rear tires and have had something on the three point when doing heavy FEL work.

Yesterday...put the hay wagon on and went over to a neighbors to grab a bunch of horse apples for the garden compost heap. Unhooked the wagon and started using my favorite tool - anbo grapple - The load of moist manure along with the 860 lb grapple made the rear end of the L5740 very light...uncomfortably light. You could feel the rear end starting to slide bit by bit.

I will be adding fluid asap ...from what I've read...the windshield wiper fluid doesn't eat away at the wheel like the calcium chloride.