Nearly tipped today

[s219]

Other good things to worry about are ruts and mud, which can both lead to tipping on even flat ground. Only close call I ever had was due to a soft spot on level ground.

As far as ballast, I always say that loaded rear tires are only good to offset the weight of the loader. If carrying something, then you need to have additional balllast farther back behind the axle.

 

[Ortimber]

What is the loader rated to lift?

 

[erkme73]

This is from tractordata.com:

Breakout force (at pin): 5225 lbs [2370 kg]
Lift to full height (at pin): 3122 lbs [1416 kg]

But, considering the weight was quite ahead of the pin, these values are best-case scenario.

 

[4get gto]

Maybe a little humor is in order. A friend who has a mower sales/service business used to work for the city on their busses. One day they had to get a tire replaced so when they removed that big wheel they were discussing how to get it downhill to a truck. The biggest guy runs downhill, says just roll it to me...which it took several guys to do. Big guy thought he could catch it.
Flattened him, he was dazed but fine.

That's something you'd see on bugs bunny and Elmer fudd.
:laughing:

 

[CobyRupert]

Once back on all fours, I backed away from the tree. Shut the motor off and dismounted. Walked around a bit for my hands to stop shaking enough to not spill my glass of bourbon.

Why were you holding it? Doesn't your tractor have a cup holder? :laughing:

 

[cqaigy2]

Why were you holding it? Doesn't your tractor have a cup holder? :laughing:

Yes, but he didn't spill it. :thumbsup::laughing:

 

[e5wd6114]

This is from tractordata.com:

Breakout force (at pin): 5225 lbs [2370 kg]
Lift to full height (at pin): 3122 lbs [1416 kg]

But, considering the weight was quite ahead of the pin, these values are best-case scenario.

General rule of thumb is for every inch you move ahead of the pin you lose 50 to 75 lbs capacity, think holding a sledge hammer out by the end of the handle with one hand. 48" in pallet forks makes the load center 24", 24 x 50 = 1200 lbs gone 24 x 75 = 1800 lbs gone and if you read the owners manual the max loader capacity is with a "properly ballasted" tractor which included 3 point ballast. So by the math you were probably over loaded even with loaded tires.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I just dug up two stumps, cleared some and this nearly tipped post is what I was thinking about. The JD I bought new last Fall with lots of attachments, I'm 100% happy with it (117 hours now), but even the dealer mentioned "feel", regarding tipping. We don't drink...but just like Einthewoods said I keep a whiskey bottle (no...not under the seat )but in garage for those "times". It can happen so fast, and sometimes it's just a really creepy feeling.
My $64 question is how do you really know? Few pictures show where I cross a creek, where I dug up one stump, where I'm starting a woods road. I just beat the storm...it's raining buckets.
Thanks for any "tips!"

 

[Fuddy1952]

Sorry...forgot pictures...

 

[CobyRupert]

I hear people talk about "feel" and "pucker factor" a lot when it comes to slopes.
I think it's bunk.
While some people may be good at it, it's very subjective.

If you're on top of a treeless hill that's 400 feet above it's surroundings, it "feels" a lot "tippy-er" than a identical slope when in a narrow ditch with an opposite bank that you can almost reach out and touch.
Or if the surrounding trees slant in a way that exaggerates, or subtracts from, the "feeling".
Or if the tractor has a high seat but low fenders it "feels" tippy-er than if you're snug down in a low seat with high fenders.
There have been times when I've gotten on a new side hill and chickened out because of my "feelings". Get off the tractor, step back, convince myself that the tractor is capable of handling it way more than I am, then chicken out again. The next time I mowed it, it "felt" marginal, but okay, the third time it seems routine, no worries. Like working at heights, acclimatization (getting use to it) plays a huge part in "feelings". But play NO part in the actual physics.

It's physics!!

Feelings are for girls! :stirthepot: