Preventing tractor back flip

[beppington]

Maybe we should put it this way: Until there is absolute certain proof that there is some way to connect a to-be-pulled object to your tractor such that it can not flip over backwards ... everybody should assume it can happen :thumbsup:

 

[idaho2]

Does hooking up a chain short or long make a difference? Short being as close to the object as possible.

skspurling,

I'll ask again (see my original question above) since no one opined on the orignial question directly, try this: neighbors tractor stuck in mud, I come along with 20' chain, back up and run the chain thru clevis/draw bar on my tractor. Now do I back up as close as possible to the tractor in the mud and hook up "short" on the chain or do I hook up "long" as far from the stuck tractor as the chain allows? Or should I add my other 20' of chain and really extend the distance to pull out the stuck tractor?

idaho2

 

[bcp]

Long chain, so when you flip you don't land on the other tractor.

Bruce

 

[johnrex62]

skspurling,

I'll ask again (see my original question above) since no one opined on the orignial question directly, try this: neighbors tractor stuck in mud, I come along with 20' chain, back up and run the chain thru clevis/draw bar on my tractor. Now do I back up as close as possible to the tractor in the mud and hook up "short" on the chain or do I hook up "long" as far from the stuck tractor as the chain allows? Or should I add my other 20' of chain and really extend the distance to pull out the stuck tractor?

idaho2

I did not try to make my brain digest all of what I have read thus far, BUT the concept that has taken root in my mind and is germinating seems to be that the most important concept is the line of pull and it's relationship to the center of gravity of the tractor. So, without trying to let this idea sit and turn completely opaque with a firm understanding of forces and reactions, it seems that the lower the angle of pull, the less torque will be placed on the rotating axel and thereby reducing the chance of a catastrophic rotation and flipping of the tractor. My Wile E. Coyote mental image is that a large angle between the pulled object and the point of attachment will generate a downward pull at the attachment point to put it in the line of pull between the pulled object and the axel.

If I am subconciously comprehending this properly, then the longer the chain, the smaller the angle and the lower the force required to put the attachemnt point in the line of pull.


Did that make any sense to anyone else?

 

[idaho2]

Long chain, so when you flip you don't land on the other tractor.

Bruce

Hey Bruce,

Good response. :laughing:,

johnrex62,

All I'm looking for is "long or short". Simple question, don't need a politicians response. :confused2:

idaho2

 

[xtn]

No rolling action on the part of the tire is going to cause the front to lift. If your tractor rares up because the tires are frozen to the ground, you would have to be backing up. Otherwise the torque pushes the front into the ground resulting in the tractor moving forwards. The triangle illustration given earlier is backwards.

Maybe I'm misreading the above? It seems you are saying that attempting to drive forward causes your front tires to be pressed to the ground by the torque. And that that torque pressing your front tires into the ground is what results in the tractor moving forward.

I hope I'm misreading it. Otherwise your whole understanding of physics is screwed up. Explain why a drag racing car does a wheelie. A tractor driving forward has the same forces. If you tie the bumper of a drag car to a post with a chain, it's going to wheelie even worse.

xtn

 

[milkman636]

The hitch geometry provides leverage to help prevent roll over, not a guarantee.

When you are hooked to an immovable object with both of your rear drive tires firmly stuck to the gound, it is actually the engine torque that is being apllied to the now stationary ring gear in the differential that causes the front end to pitch upward.

If the torque and momentum of the rising front end is sufficient to overcome the geometry of the hitch and lever arm created by your front end, you are going to roll over. The tractor will indeed appear to move backward as it continues its pivot around the hitch point on its way to being upside down.

Of course this is all assuming you haven't installed some long wheelie bars hanging off the back of the tractor to increase the lever arm that the engine would need to overcome in order to perform this acrobatic.

 

[idaho2]

What is it, can't anyone give a simple answer During the mean time the mud is hardening around my neighbors tractor and all I want to know is hook up short on the chain or hook it up long. Oh heck, I know what's wrong, you guys and gals don't help pull tractors out of mud. That's why no one can answer my straight forward question.

 

[milkman636]

Use a long enough chain to keep your tractor from being stuck in the same mud.:thumbsup:

That's my voice of experience talking.

 

[idaho2]

Use a long enough chain to keep your tractor from being stuck in the same mud.:thumbsup:

That's my voice of experience talking.

And the answer is "Short". See, everyone, that was painless.