Ballast Roll over

TheMan419 · Oct 25, 2020

So this happened. I rolled the tractor on its side yesterday. Moving manure. Turned left w bucket full and up. Right tire went up on manure pile. I had no counter weight on back. I know better.

I stepped off tractor as it was rolling. The canopy made that more difficult and it hit me in the back.

Tow truck came out and put the tractor back on its wheels. It is now sitting in the barn. Mechanic should be here on Monday to look it over. It has NOT been restarted (or even attempted to).

Went to Er to get checked out. ER doc has worked on a farm and seen tractors roll over on people. Complete CT of my spine. All is good. Lower back and ego bruised today.

Remember be safe. I was too lazy to pick up the tiller as ballast. That will not happen again.

How do I add pictures to this from my iPhone?

fruitcakesa · Oct 25, 2020

You are a lucky man, glad you got out safely.
Hope the tractor fares as well.

ededic · Oct 25, 2020

Glad you’re ok.

lman · Oct 25, 2020

I've come close a few times and stopped anything bad from happening by dropping the load. Whenever I have a full load, I keep my hand on the stick and prepare to drop the load if necessary.

two_bit_score · Oct 25, 2020

Glad you were not hurt! Glad the tractor seems fine, hope it actually is fine too.

One question: Do you think it would have been better or worse if you had been wearing a seat belt?

Is this one of the times jumping off was the best option?

TBS

TheMan419 · Oct 25, 2020

two_bit_score said:
Glad you were not hurt! Glad the tractor seems fine, hope it actually is fine too.

One question: Do you think it would have been better or worse if you had been wearing a seat belt?

Is this one of the times jumping off was the best option?

TBS

It could not have been better with a seatbelt. I escaped virtually unharmed. Not sure what would have happened with one. I hope to never test it out.....

ovrszd · Oct 25, 2020

Glad you weren't hurt!!!

I've been very Blessed to have not rolled my tractors. I am on steep terrain often. As Iman mentioned, I always have my hand on the loader joystick and have had to drop the loader several times to balance the tractor.

It's also very, very rare that I don't have ballast on the 3pt. Usually a heavy BB which I can also use to pile up the material I am moving or smooth the work area as I go. Makes me more inclined to carry it since it's also a tool.

LouNY · Oct 25, 2020

If she looks OK from a slow walk around I would raise the hood and check out where the battery sits to see if any battery fluid got spilled and flush that area well.
When your mechanic gets there I would be very tempted to have him roll the engine a full 2 turns using the front pulley or fan.
If any oil got trapped on top of a piston even just cranking it over with the starter can cause damage.
Good luck with her.

TheMan419 · Oct 25, 2020

LouNY said:
If she looks OK from a slow walk around I would raise the hood and check out where the battery sits to see if any battery fluid got spilled and flush that area well.
When your mechanic gets there I would be very tempted to have him roll the engine a full 2 turns using the front pulley or fan.
If any oil got trapped on top of a piston even just cranking it over with the starter can cause damage.
Good luck with her.

Yeah as soon as I told him it rolled he had a whole procedure he is going through including a hand crank. I do not remember all of it but this is not his first rodeo dealing with this issue it sounded like.

shooterdon · Oct 25, 2020

You are lucky. I have a cab tractor, so jumping off is not an option. But I try to be careful and always have counterweight on the back. It looks strange to have the snowblower mounted when moving totes of wood in the early fall, but it weighs over 900lbs and does the job.

Glad you are good and hope the tractor is ok