Terrified of tipping - how about an inclinometer?

[DanMc77]

Alright, I admit it! I'm a crybaby when it comes to running any of my tractors on an incline. I'm terrified of tipping the machine on its side (or worse!). I know, fear is a good thing, but I get the heeby-jeebies whenever one of the rear wheels goes over a rock and the machine lifts up just a little on one side. On the 4600, if there's a little incline I'll often put down the stabilizers so if it does begin to tip, it will have something to rest on before it goes all the way over. Also, I'll turn the backoe over to the high side to add counter weight. Tires can be loaded, wheels weights added, and the wheels set for a wider track. All these things can, and should be done. But what about a way to measure how much the machine is leaning?

I find it odd that I have never seen any references to putting an inclinometer on the tractor dash. Has anybody done this? What about something like this? Amazon.com: Sun Company 201-F Lev-o-gage Inclinometer | USA-Made Level for Off-Road Vehicle, Jeep, Truck, RV, Camper, Trailer, or Boat: Industrial & Scientific

(I have no interest or involvement with promoting a product. I'm just asking.)

 

[deezler]

Looks good to me. Affordable, too.

Putting this idea on my next-tractor mod-list.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes, many people have added those over the years that I've been here on TBN. It's a great addition and keeps you honest (and maybe alive).

 

[Tinhack]

I've got the small one for my dash. I've got the large one to put on my quick hitch since it has T-n-T. I was concerned about getting a blade or other attachment back level after tilting. I should be able to see the large one from the seat.

Make sure you're level to the world when you install it (them).

 

[LouNY]

One issue with putting an inclinometer on your tractor is that there are no hard and fast values to go by.
Every tractor will be different and then start adding implements and it will vary even more.
What was good today could be a roll over value tomorrow.
Then an unseen hole or rock can instantly change a good into a bad day.
The only thing it would be good for is to give you a number that was good at that particular time and place.

 

[sea2summit]

Just remember it’s only a guide and won’t account for how high/low your holding implements which is changing the tip-over critical angle.

 

[Doughknob]

Yep, as others have said, the gauge is cool. I'd like one. But how do you know what angle is the critical point? If u have such data, then this could be of operational value. Otherwise just of curiosity value. It is cool, though.

 

[joecdeere]

I'm sorry, but if you've managed to end up in a situation where you think this might be of some use, you need to be looking at what's going on, not a gauge, even for a second. I rolled my dads MF-135 as a teenager when I dropped a down hill rear tire in an old well that was covered with brush. Tractor and mower were on it's side in less than a second. My only saving grace is that he had put a ROPS and seat belt on it a year or two before

 

[PILOON]

To be really accurate you'd actually need to tip your tractor once, and that with each piece of equipment you employ.
That in order to determine safe ranges.
My anatomy that rides the tractor seat generally advises me.

 

[plowhog]

I'd shop for one with a smaller range of measurement. A smaller measuring range would give you better accuracy within the range you will actually be working in.

The one shown goes to 45 degrees. At 45 degrees you had already tipped the tractor. I won't do 30 degrees of slope with my Ventrac-- even though it is rated for that. I'd bet you have a high pucker factor on your tractor even at 15 degrees.

 

[beenthere]

The inclinometer isn't going to tell you anything that you want to know.. as to when you are "safe" from rolling over. And the reasons are already mentioned.
Won't tell you where the center of gravity is at or going to be (hoe bucket too high, FEL too high, upcoming rock, upcoming hole, etc., etc.).
And as joecdeere said, it is just a distraction from what you need to be paying attention to at the moment.
Go by your comfort zone. If not comfortable, don't go there.

 

[k0ua]

The inclinometer isn't going to tell you anything that you want to know.. as to when you are "safe" from rolling over. And the reasons are already mentioned.
Won't tell you where the center of gravity is at or going to be (hoe bucket too high, FEL too high, upcoming rock, upcoming hole, etc., etc.).
And as joecdeere said, it is just a distraction from what you need to be paying attention to at the moment.
Go by your comfort zone. If not comfortable, don't go there.

^ pretty much what he and others have said, the inclinometer is the last thing you need to be distracted with. If you feel uncomfortable, then don't do that. Of course where you feel discomfort and where an experienced operator feels discomfort are two different things.

We build up and modify our discomfort level as we have experiences. Tiny slopes where my wife feels discomfort are of no consequence to me. But I have a discomfort "tippy" level too. And the tractor is probably no where near tipping over.

I watch the state highway department mowing on slopes with their "squat tractors" that make me want to puke just watching them. But I have been on grassy slopes where the tractor wants to slide down them, which they sometimes will do before they tip. But hitting a highside rock or a lowside hole can make all the difference in the world, and can be the straw that broke the camels back.

Bottom line: if you are a scaredy cat you are a scaredy cat. Not much can be done about it until you operate for a few more years and have more experience's built up. Don't do stupid things like travel with your loader up, and always have proper ballast on the tractor, avoid side hilling whenever possible, and keep your wits about you.

 

[sea2summit]

Bottom line: if you are a scaredy cat you are a scaredy cat. Not much can be done about it until you operate for a few more years and have more experience's built up. Don't do stupid things like travel with your loader up, and always have proper ballast on the tractor, avoid side hilling whenever possible, and keep your wits about you.

Reminds me of the old saying: There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there’s not many old bold pilots.

 

[Diggin It]

You can run up and down the same slopes a thousand times doing different tasks with different implements or loads, under different conditions, but nothing is going to warn you about that unseen low or soft spot that wasn't there last time.


I regularly mow a steeper hill than many here would consider safe, but I've done it enough times to know what to watch for. And that ain't a dash mounted gizmo. Still, that soft spot from a critter or the last big rain might very well get me someday.

 

[Hughman]

I had a meter on my tractor for a short while. I found that unless I was sitting still, the meter was bouncing around so much from the vibration that it was pretty much useless. Eventually the two-way tape holding it to the tractor came off and I never bothered to replace it.

The best meter is the one between your butt cheeks.

 

[oosik]

I don't really have many slopes that I would operate on. Most everything is either dead flat or vertical. You must learn by the seat-of-your-pants feeling. Maybe the little gage will help.

It's probably not the incline that will get you. It's when you are on the incline and the down hill rear tire drops into a hole. There isn't a meter in this world that can help in those conditions.

For now and until you get more experience - stay off slopes the make you feel uneasy.

 

[VroomVroom]

I'm sorry, but if you've managed to end up in a situation where you think this might be of some use, you need to be looking at what's going on, not a gauge, even for a second. I rolled my dads MF-135 as a teenager when I dropped a down hill rear tire in an old well that was covered with brush. Tractor and mower were on it's side in less than a second. My only saving grace is that he had put a ROPS and seat belt on it a year or two before

Wheels keep turning?

 

[VroomVroom]

Yeah. Manufacturers probably wouldn’t install as too many variables changing from day to day. Even speed or a bounce could make the difference etc. First thing you’d have to do also is install the gauge and then tip the tractor over to know where it’s going to tip for next time with same conditions

 

[Hay Dude]

Had one of those in my Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40 back in the early 80’s.
It’s not going to do anything but distract you. Just put your energy into lowering and widening your equipment, proper tire inflation, slow down a gear and go up/down hills instead of along the side of the hill.

 

[bcp]

You can be stopped on a slight sidehill, in a very stable position, and then roll over simply by raising your loader bucket.

I've done it twice in the last ten years. Not fully over, but rear wheel off the ground and front axle against the bump stop. This was a lift from about 4 inches off the ground, going up toward a height barely sufficient to dump the bucket. The rear wheel came up when the level bucket was about a foot off the ground. If I hadn't been aware of the potential problem, and raising the bucket very slowly, it could have rolled fully over.

Bruce