Ballast Roll over

[k0ua]

Yesterday I was moving rocks and dumping them into a ditch. As I approached the ditch, which angled down, I could feel the tractor wanting to just shoot right down into the ditch, rocks and all. I had a backhoe on so plenty of weight back there, but I could still feel it. It was my first time keeping my seat belt on for a whole afternoon. One thing I liked about having the belt on is that as I went around on steep terrain I didn't need to support my own weight which actually let me run the controls better, if that makes sense. I could just do wheel/transmission/loader, not have to use my hands or feet to keep me balanced.

It does make sense. I have worked on a steep section of my land all day, and it makes a positive difference in how I feel at the end of the day by wearing my belt. Less
"tensing up" and less muscle strain as well as better operation of the loader control because you are less tense.

 

[Macinnis]

My father was killed by rolling his tractor over. He was brushhogging, got too close to the edge of the pond, it gave way and it was over.

 

[repete]

In my job I have taken three bodies out from under their tractors. To get them out we had to first "right" them which was easy since in all three cases we were able to lift it back upright by picking it up by the rops... Three men gone for want of a 2" wide seat belt.

 

[jimglassford]

We need mentors to help future farmers or hobbyists work safer.[/QUOTE]

We all get complacent. 80% of roll over fatalities are with experienced farmers.

 

[MossRoad]

Without the seatbelt on staying on the machine was not an option. I was off it before I really knew what was going on. Thankfully thrown far enough away not to get crushed.

You can bet seatbelt will be used going forward.

Our property is so flat it makes Kansas look hilly.

:thumbsup:

 

[Tx Jim]

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

Although I agree loaded rear tires will help tractor stability I doubt tires will hold enough liquid to offset the fulcrum affect of a FEL bucket extended high up in the air on a moving/turning tractor.

 

[Mat4644]

A 3 pt load low and sticking out the back easily outperforms loaded tires. Loaded tires are more for traction. Plus something 3 pt low will contact something like a manure pile. Great advantage having a quick hitch and a quick hitch 3 pt ballast.

 

[PILOON]

Friend sold his big dozer and the buyer came with a tilt n load to haul it away.
Well a tracked dozer does not like to climb on a metal ramp so they used the T/L retrieval winch to help it climb the ramp.
Wrong move!
The winch was too slow and the dozer made it 1/2 way and slid off to the side and flipped.
Buddy was not belted in (no belt) but very lucky in than as the dozer flipped he remained in the space of the ROP cage.
The retrieval and reloading process called for major equipment as U might guess.

But then he is the typical accident type person looking for a place to occur.
You know the type, evert thing is 'Good enough'.
LOL, whenever he 'played' with his dozer I would leave as I don't like the site of blood and broken bones.

 

[k0ua]

Although I agree loaded rear tires will help tractor stability I doubt tires will hold enough liquid to offset the fulcrum affect of a FEL bucket extended high up in the air on a moving/turning tractor.

I agree. Of all the things that caused his accident, and yes many things working in concert caused the event, the one thing that was the largest contributing factor was traveling and turning with the loaded bucket up high. If you want to turn your tractor over, I know of no other way to do it faster than load a bucket and keep it high and start moving and turning. Add a little speed and a little off camber ground under the front tires, and it is practically guaranteed. Mission accomplished.

 

[jonsstihl]

If you are holding onto the steering wheel try and remember to keep your thumbs on the outside. sometimes crazy things happen to steering wheels as the vehicle tumbles head over heels. Probably less applicable to tractors but definitely in an offroading scenario.