Had to change my underwear yesterday

[Johnbro]

Almost flipped the 4240. Was carrying a load of lumber, plywood, and quickcrete for the sheep shelter in the lower pasture. Had to raise it high to clear a narrow gate (10 foot gate and I had 12' boards). This was on the pallet forks. As the load got just past the gate the tractor suddenly pitched to the right as the right rear came off the ground. I instantly slammed the FEL joystick forward and the load dumped and the tractor came back down.

Had my 6' 972 lb BB on the back for ballast but without loaded rear tires it wasn't enough.

Actions items:

1. Change shorts (done).
2. Make note to self--don't try that again.
3. Fill rear tires asap.

Anyway, just wanted to post this to remind everyone out there that these things can bite. I DID have my seatbelt on, but it could have dumped me into the 8" fence post and squished me like a bug.

 

[kuboman]

Almost flipped the 4240. Was carrying a load of lumber, plywood, and quickcrete for the sheep shelter in the lower pasture. Had to raise it high to clear a narrow gate (10 foot gate and I had 12' boards). This was on the pallet forks. As the load got just past the gate the tractor suddenly pitched to the right as the right rear came off the ground. I instantly slammed the FEL joystick forward and the load dumped and the tractor came back down.

Had my 6' 972 lb BB on the back for ballast but without loaded rear tires it wasn't enough.

Actions items:

1. Change shorts (done).
2. Make note to self--don't try that again.
3. Fill rear tires asap.

Anyway, just wanted to post this to remind everyone out there that these things can bite. I DID have my seatbelt on, but it could have dumped me into the 8" fence post and squished me like a bug.

Any idea what weight you were carrying?
Glad your alright:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

Happens fast doesn't it?
I am guessing you had a lot more than 972 lbs on the forks up front.

The last time I had the L3400 rears in the air I didn't even know it for a couple seconds, backing up a hill, with a huge rock in the bucket, held low, I was wondering why the bucket seemed to be sinking toward the ground, and did not realize the rears were coming off the ground perfectly evenly. The wife said they were 2 foot off the ground. I don't know, I dropped the rock when I realized what was happening and got on up the slope to the terrace where it is more or less flat and hooked a log chain on the rock and drug it up. Filled the tires a few days later, and have had no problems since.

James K0UA

 

[Johnbro]

I actually wasn't carrying that much weight, but it was way out in front. I had the 2x12s at the back of the forks, then the 7 sheets of T111 in front of them, and the sackcrete stacked on the plywood, since I couldn't reach the back with the plywood in the way. so I had a big lever arm (360lbs of crete, at least 200 lbs of lumber). and two tubes of liquid nails :laughing:

The tractor felt light as I was driving up to the gate but it was getting all that weight up in the air that screwed the pooch. I raised the CG too high and over she went. It occurred to me that if I were a noob I might have frozen or done the wrong thing with the joystick. Fortunately I guess this wasn't the first time I've had a loader start to lift the rear wheels but I've never had one with the weight so high before. The old 2250 had filled tires and I never thought about what a difference that can make. guess I'll login to Tractor supply and find that fill kit.

 

[crazyal]

I have a 55 gallon drum full of cement and while it works fine this spring I'll get the rears filled. I found just driving down the driveway with the bucket empty could be an adventure if I forgot to put it in 4wd. I didn't know if I was going to run the tires narrow or wide and I really didn't feel like trying to swap them filled but now I have chains I think they'll rub so I'll fill the tires.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Have an L3130 with the LA723 loader and with loaded tires and the Bradco 408W backhoe on the back. I can still lift logs and trees that will bring the rear wheels off the ground with all that counterweight . These Grand L series tractors are powerful and the loaders have a lot of lift capacity that must be respected, the pallet forks make it worse by getting the load way out front. When lifting the large loads always run in 4wd so the brakes still work on the fronts when the rear wheels lift .

David Kb7uns

 

[CHDinCT]

I actually wasn't carrying that much weight, but it was way out in front. I had the 2x12s at the back of the forks, then the 7 sheets of T111 in front of them, and the sackcrete stacked on the plywood, since I couldn't reach the back with the plywood in the way. so I had a big lever arm (360lbs of crete, at least 200 lbs of lumber). and two tubes of liquid nails :laughing:

Must have been those tubes of liquid nails. Try again without them. :laughing: Seriously, glad you and your tractor came out of it OK.

 

[Grandad4]

Those 12 ft boards don't help your balance, either. If you pick them up even a little bit off dead center, it can be enough to get things tipping. Keeping in mind the front axle is on a pivot, all it takes is a slight dip or off-level ground and the front wants to start rotating to one side. It's quite amazing how little weight it takes to get in trouble when you put it farther out in front or to the side. A lesson for all... glad you are OK.

 

[kevinj]

If you approach the gate at an angle you can swing the load thru with out raising it.

I have loaded tires and 1200 on the rear, sometimes not enough

 

[blueriver]

Glad things worked out for the best ... as someone else said happens fast ... especially when that load goes high.