Can rear ballast be dangerous?

[k0ua]

Low and slow beats high and fast for safety each and every time. Even if you pickup something too heavy or are too much of of a slope with that heavy thing, if you keep it low enough it will hit the ground before you turn the tractor over. That has saved me more than once. I have seen so many you tube videos of new tractor owners running around with their buckets up in the air.

 

[ovrszd]

Low and slow beats high and fast for safety each and every time. Even if you pickup something too heavy or are too much of of a slope with that heavy thing, if you keep it low enough it will hit the ground before you turn the tractor over. That has saved me more than once. I have seen so many you tube videos of new tractor owners running around with their buckets up in the air.

I cringe when I see a farmer carrying his FEL high with only a bale prong on. Usually see that when they are using the same tractor to bale hay. No way the empty FEL could ever cause a problem in a relatively flat hay field. But it still gets my attention.

 

[CobyRupert]

The 3 point hitch doesn’t have any down force but it has an upward travel limit. The blade has hit the upward travel limits way before a rollover angle has happened.

Maybe when on flat ground, but you can’t say that when you’re on an incline....which is the original subject the OP is asking about.
There’s also momentum on how fast it’s trying to flip backwards.

 

[CobyRupert]

I cringe when I see a farmer carrying his FEL high with only a bale prong on. Usually see that when they are using the same tractor to bale hay. No way the empty FEL could ever cause a problem in a relatively flat hay field. But it still gets my attention.

I cringe when I hear the term “no way....could it ever...”.
Just when you think you’ve got all the dangers figured out Mother Nature (or Mr. Murphy) proves they’re an ***hole and knows more tricks than you or I could ever think of.
Example: Flat hay field.....but if you don’t see that 1/2” power pole guide wire....

 

[pmsmechanic]

I cringe when I see a farmer carrying his FEL high with only a bale prong on. Usually see that when they are using the same tractor to bale hay. No way the empty FEL could ever cause a problem in a relatively flat hay field. But it still gets my attention.

Most farmers that I know, that do this, it's for visibility reasons. That doesn't make it smart or right. I would just as soon take the loader right off the tractor. Most newer loaders come off quite quickly. If I'm doing any job and the loader gets in the way it get's parked. I can take mine off in about a minute and about a little longer to put back on. I don't get guys who leave their loaders on all the time as the tractor is so much more nimble without it. Think of it as an attachment just like on the three point. When your done with the attachment take it off and park it.

 

[WranglerX]

This discussion is probably at a end point as OP is never going to be convinced ballast is going to save his life.... IF he is operating on a hill where he fears a back flip obviously to rest of us he should not be on that hill, to him, he has not had a really good BUTT PUCKER experience to enlighten him.... Didn't take me more than one or two seat grabs (butt puckers) to make it obvious ballast (and wheel spaces) made tractor safer....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

Maybe when on flat ground, but you can’t say that when you’re on an incline....which is the original subject the OP is asking about.
There’s also momentum on how fast it’s trying to flip backwards.

Even on the unlikely event you managed flip backwards with a box blade on which I highly doubt is even possible it would have happened way sooner without the blade. The blade is moving the fulcrum backwards several feet.

 

[ovrszd]

Most farmers that I know, that do this, it's for visibility reasons. That doesn't make it smart or right. I would just as soon take the loader right off the tractor. Most newer loaders come off quite quickly. If I'm doing any job and the loader gets in the way it get's parked. I can take mine off in about a minute and about a little longer to put back on. I don't get guys who leave their loaders on all the time as the tractor is so much more nimble without it. Think of it as an attachment just like on the three point. When your done with the attachment take it off and park it.

Let me clarify. I understand leaving the FEL on. I also understand raising it when baling. It just looks weird.

The farmer may bale hay today and haul bales this afternoon with the same tractor. In those cases removing the FEL to bale would be wasted time.

 

[Henro]

I am wondering if anyone who thinks the current level of safety interlocks is gospel, might change their thinking if tractor manufacturers add an interlock to disable movement in reverse if a PTO is engaged.

I understand some lawn/garden tractors have such an interlock.

I feel fortunate that my tractors are older now and have only the basic, important interlocks. Must be in neutral (if no clutch) or clutch pushed in, PTO must not be engaged, and directional pedal centered. That is about it...

 

[Reb954]

Maybe when on flat ground, but you can稚 say that when youæ±*e on an incline....which is the original subject the OP is asking about.
Thereç—´ also momentum on how fast itç—´ trying to flip backwards.

If a tractor with a rear box blade flips over backwards, you can rest assured the box blade was not a contributing factor to the rollover.