Ballast Roll over

[ovrszd]

I am glad you are unhurt and hope your tractor is "unhurt" too.

And bless you for having the guts to come on here and tell it like it was and admit your mistakes in front of all of us. It helps new guys to understand what you did and did not do. And it reminds us old hands to not become complacent in our own operation. We all know not to move with the bucket loaded up high, we all know when one of our tires goes up on the pile that can start a roll over sequence, we all know to have proper ballast on the back and what can happen when we do not. But new tractor owners often do not know any of these things. You have helped bring these things to light again. Thank you.

Well stated James. That's why I asked the question about which tire went up the pile. Wanted more clarity for readers that might not understand the events that led up to this.

 

[TheMan419]

Well stated James. That's why I asked the question about which tire went up the pile. Wanted more clarity for readers that might not understand the events that led up to this.

Right front went up on the pile and left front did not. I misjudged where the pile started.

As for admitting my mistake... no other way to learn. Hopefully someone else read this and started using ballast and putting their ROPS up.

The canopy is coming off the tractor. It hit me in the back on the way over after I exited the tractor. Too much potential of injury with it.

For an early Christmas present to myself I am loading the rear tires. Off to find a rim guard dealer near me.

 

[ovrszd]

Right front went up on the pile and left front did not. I misjudged where the pile started.

As for admitting my mistake... no other way to learn. Hopefully someone else read this and started using ballast and putting their ROPS up.

The canopy is coming off the tractor. It hit me in the back on the way over after I exited the tractor. Too much potential of injury with it.

For an early Christmas present to myself I am loading the rear tires. Off to find a rim guard dealer near me.

Good stuff. Thanks for the clarity.

Once the front axle oscillated to the maximum the right front tire simply tipped the tractor over. This is discussed a lot here. Guys automatically assume with wide front axle rollovers are minimized. Well, not in this case where it actually worked to tipping you over. And they do nothing to stop rollover until the oscillator maxs out.

I envisioned you trying to exit, facing away from the tractor, and the canopy hitting you midway down your back as the tractor fell. If it had knocked you down you would have found yourself pinned under the edge of the canopy. If it pinned you in the right place it might have prevented breathing.

I have loaded rears on my JD2210 which is similar in size to your Boomer and I don't even have a loader on it. I used Windshield Washer Fluid.

Thanks for the added information!!!

 

[TheMan419]

Good stuff. Thanks for the clarity.

Once the front axle oscillated to the maximum the right front tire simply tipped the tractor over. This is discussed a lot here. Guys automatically assume with wide front axle rollovers are minimized. Well, not in this case where it actually worked to tipping you over. And they do nothing to stop rollover until the oscillator maxs out.

I envisioned you trying to exit, facing away from the tractor, and the canopy hitting you midway down your back as the tractor fell. If it had knocked you down you would have found yourself pinned under the edge of the canopy. If it pinned you in the right place it might have prevented breathing.

I have loaded rears on my JD2210 which is similar in size to your Boomer and I don't even have a loader on it. I used Windshield Washer Fluid.

Thanks for the added information!!!

Yeah I have a nice bruise on my back right at waist line from the canopy. Canopy did not crack so I hate to think what would have happened if I were under it.

My dealer is also a rim guard dealer. They are getting a sale.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah I have a nice bruise on my back right at waist line from the canopy. Canopy did not crack so I hate to think what would have happened if I were under it.

My dealer is also a rim guard dealer. They are getting a sale.

Sometimes I amaze myself at how slow I am to learn things.

 

[npalen]

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.

How would a person do a "hand crank" on a modern tractor? (Just asking)

 

[K5lwq]

I am so glad you you were not seriously injured! As James said, thank you for sharing and it is also a good reminder for us that have been on tractors for most of our lives. Things can go south in a hurry to any of us.

 

[dodge man]

There is often a nut on the front of an engine you can put a breaker bar on and turn them over. There was someone who posted a few years ago on here that tried starting after a roll over and bent a rod. Both fuel or oil can get on top of a piston and with the high compression of a diesel, there is no room for it on the compression stroke.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

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.

:drink: ME TOO. If it's in the bucket, my hand stays on the stick...

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Yeah I have a nice bruise on my back right at waist line from the canopy. Canopy did not crack so I hate to think what would have happened if I were under it.

My dealer is also a rim guard dealer. They are getting a sale.

Glad you are OK... If I did that my wife would have added a few more bruises...

 

[ctgoldwing]

Thankfully you weren't hurt! Fortunately it will be a story you can tell for a long time - and a lesson for us all.

 

[Henro]

If the oil gets on top of the piston it will bend a rod when it starts or the engine will lock and not turn over.....

THIS ^^^

I tipped my B2910 on its side once. I righted it pretty quickly and assumed that since it was on its side a short time, I should be good to go, and was...I figured there was not enough time for oil to leak past the rings to cause a hydro lock situation. I was LUCKY. There is another path for oil to get into the cylinder(s).

Turns out that there is a path through the PVC system, that can cause oil to flow in a way that leads to the valves, and if an intake valve is open, which may be likely, the oil can enter the cylinder and when you crank the engine you end up bending a connecting rod. Not a good thing...and an expensive repair. The power from the starter turning the engine alone is enough to do this damage.

Generally it is recommended to pull the glow plugs or injectors and verify the cylinders are free of oil, or to allow the oil to be removed (if in there) before putting things back together and starting the engine.

It may be possible to manually turn the engine to ensure there is no hydro lock. But there is a slight risk doing this, maybe close to zero, do not know, since the diesel engine could fire a cylinder when you do this. I would think it is unlikely, but something that should be considered I suppose.

This is something we should keep in mind for future reference, hopefully never needed.

 

[ovrszd]

How would a person do a "hand crank" on a modern tractor? (Just asking)

Usually a ratchet and socket on the front crankshaft pulley.

 

[ericm979]

Glad you're only minorly injured. I've met people seriously and permanently injured by tractor accidents and it's not a good way to live.

A bunch of people have mentioned a rear counterweight but sounds like the problem was keeping the bucket high with a load in it. I always keep the bucket as low as practical when moving, especially when turning or with a load. Often that means looking through a load of brush in the grapple. When I see people driving with the loader up high it makes me nervous.

If you had the seat belt on the ROPS would have kept the tractor from rolling over and injuring you... unless you were next to a tree or rolled onto very soft ground. Jumping free is great if it works but you can get hurt on the way. Tripping or getting your clothes caught on something could put you in a worse situation than being belted in. The seat belt's there to keep you from falling partly out and then getting crushed by the ROPS. It's your choice if you don't want to use it but you'd be safer if you did. I don't always put it on but any time I'm on steeper hills or doing anything even remotely sketchy it goes on.

 

[npalen]

Usually a ratchet and socket on the front crankshaft pulley.

Getting old and forgetful. That's how I turned mine when adjusting the valve tappets a couple years back.

 

[MossRoad]

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?

Glad you are OK. Hate to see you in the news for something like that.

From what I've been told, and keep in the back of my mind since I have a steel canopy, is always wear the seatbelt, and if the thing starts going over, grab the wheel with both hands and ride it out. First instinct is to flee, or put your arm or leg out to stop the roll. Just grab the wheel, pucker up and ride it out. You might smack the side of your head on the ground or the ROPS, but you won't be crushed to death. When I first got my 71 Land Cruiser, I went off-reading with some folks a few times and they, too, told me to buckle up and stay inside if it starts to roll.

Anyhow, enough of that talk.

Who'd you have tow it back upright? That guy from Lakeville?

 

[Jstpssng]

As everyone else has already said, glad that you are OK. I'm another who tried to get by without loaded tires, and it was not fun. I added 400 pounds of wheel weights and still have to be careful keeping the rears on the ground. I also need to get more diligent about wearing my seat belt...

 

[TheMan419]

Glad you are OK. Hate to see you in the news for something like that.

From what I've been told, and keep in the back of my mind since I have a steel canopy, is always wear the seatbelt, and if the thing starts going over, grab the wheel with both hands and ride it out. First instinct is to flee, or put your arm or leg out to stop the roll. Just grab the wheel, pucker up and ride it out. You might smack the side of your head on the ground or the ROPS, but you won't be crushed to death. When I first got my 71 Land Cruiser, I went off-reading with some folks a few times and they, too, told me to buckle up and stay inside if it starts to roll.

Anyhow, enough of that talk.

Who'd you have tow it back upright? That guy from Lakeville?

ASAP Towing. My wife went to school w the owner and his sister.

 

[MossRoad]

ASAP Towing. My wife went to school w the owner and his sister.

Guy in lakeville is relative of my wife.

Glad you got it tipped back up. Good luck with the diagnosis. :thumbsup:

 

[3Ts]

Glad you are ok. I know of 2 roll overs personally. One a relative, the other a neighbor. The relative survived, the neighbor did not. Both were new to tractors and operating on a hill. Most roll overs result in a fatality so y'all be careful. Slow and easy and if in doubt, do something differently.