Stepped off, and it almost tipped over (lifting a snowmobile) !

[Sodo]

What's the loader capacity vs. the snowmobile weight?

Loader is LA402 402kg x 2.2 = 885lbs, snowmobile 450lbs

Rarely use seatbelt (working on changing that!)

 

[Sodo]

What's the loader capacity vs. the snowmobile weight?

Loader is LA402 402kg x 2.2 = 885lbs, snowmobile 450lbs

Rarely use seatbelt (working on changing that!)

 

[dragoneggs]

Loader is LA402 402kg x 2.2 = 885lbs, snowmobile 450lbs

Rarely use seatbelt (working on changing that!)

yes... maybe hard to teach an old dog new tricks but I put my seatbelt on religously when mounting my tractor... can't say this is true for when in my car/truck but something tells me a tractor is something to take seriously.

 

[TerryR]

That's interesting. I've religiously used seatbelts in highway vehicles since I was 16 (that was in the days when you had to install them yourself in the used cars most of us drove) but I only use it on my tractor when I'm going to be working on a hillside.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

I guess it was just instilled in me here on TBN that you absolutely wear your seatbelt with ROPS up. And vice versa if you don't. My place is one big hill so even if I am hopping on/off frequently, I buckle up. No bells needed to remind me. In a car or truck, if the bells don't chime I tend not to reach for the belt.

 

[arrow]

Yep I agree it's a good place to get good info, but does require a pretty good filter at times.

I'm thinking of casting a concrete ballast with 3 chains hanging out. I have this notion that it should be VERY easy to attach to the 3-point. What if it attaches loosely, for super easy hookup? What are the drawbacks to a ballast that is loose? I suppose if you have to travel with it in 3rd gear that could be a problem, but I don't see that as likely for me.

The biggest problem I see is forgetting its there and backing into stuff with it, so shorter is appealing.

I made a ballast by mixing concrete and pouring it into a 4' long 10" Sonotube . I took 2, 1/2" thick , 12" long eyelets and bolted them across the tube. I then filled with the mixture. All I do to hook this up is to mount my 3 pt draw bar and through the holes on the drawbar, place a couple of "hooks" through the hole and thread the hook through the eyelet. I made the hooks with some threaded rod and bent them over. A bolt at the top prevents the hooks from falling through the drawbar holes. Takes about two seconds to engage and disengage with enough leeway to only have to get the tractor "in the vicinity".

 

[dragoneggs]

I made a ballast by mixing concrete and pouring it into a 4' long 10" Sonotube . I took 2, 1/2" thick , 12" long eyelets and bolted them across the tube. I then filled with the mixture. All I do to hook this up is to mount my 3 pt draw bar and through the holes on the drawbar, place a couple of "hooks" through the hole and thread the hook through the eyelet. I made the hooks with some threaded rod and bent them over. A bolt at the top prevents the hooks from falling through the drawbar holes. Takes about two seconds to engage and disengage with enough leeway to only have to get the tractor "in the vicinity".

arrow... do you have any pics of this?

 

[arrow]

arrow... do you have any pics of this?

I have something else on the 3 pt so can't demonstrate but this should give you the idea.

 

[My Hoe]

Load your back tires.

Always have a rear counterweight, when using the FEL (at least on SCUTS and CUTS).

Pic was very helpful, but not sure it was worth the risk--only the OP knows for sure, but, admittedly, that dramatic pic is certainly a valuable teaching aid.

Glad no one was hurt.

Subscribed.

 

[Sodo]

That's interesting. I've religiously used seatbelts in highway vehicles since I was 16 (that was in the days when you had to install them yourself in the used cars most of us drove) but I only use it on my tractor when I'm going to be working on a hillside.
Terry

Same here. Not being belted in (in a car) gives me the willies. Minor crash=broken bones whereas belted in = walk away.

On the tractor I'm getting on and off so often being belted-in is not appealing sometimes. For example standing up to look over the loader bucket, chaining stuff to the bucket, lots of times its not feasible. What scares me is the unknown (this happens!). Sometimes two simple, insignificant things happen at the same time which combine to be serious. Example some event in front takes your full attention causing you to forget about an embankment behind.

Lately I've been excavating an ATV trail on a steep hillside (mini-excavator) and haven't once skipped the seatbelt. Seatbelt is like a good friend its the first thing I do. Excavator is a little different though - anything you pull on or fall against is a "hydraulic control" that does a significant and powerful "action". With a tractor it could be the SAME, its just not so obvious.