Anyone ever tip a tractor?

[skgolfer]

Almost rolled my B7500HST today. New tractor (18 hrs) I was moving some dirt and got myself on a pretty slight tilt and all of a sudden I felt her start to go. I bailed to the down hill side and fortunately the tractor didn't go all the way. So I lowered the FEL and let some dirt out and got the situation under control. But this experience has left me with some questions.

Since I have the ROPS should I just stay in the seat...or

If your gonna bail....do you bail to the uphill or downhill side.

Look forward to your advise.

sk

 

[MChalkley]

sk - A very important question - and one with only one answer: Always keep your seat belt buckled, and never, ever leave the seat. I know it's a tremendous temptation to bail, but it's the way many people have died.

MarkC

 

[Bird]

sk, like Mark said, wear the seat belt and stay in the seat. If it ever does go over, just try to keep your feet and hands inside. Most of the time, if it actually goes on over, it'll be so quick you couldn't bail out if you wanted to, and if you should succeed in bailing out on the low side, it would probably overtake you.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Think for a moment...you wouldn't jump out of a moving car just moments before you're about to crash... your chance of survival and minimum injury is extremely high by staying in the car...

Stay buckled up, ROPS locked upright and like Bird and Mark have stated...stay with the unit.

Over the years, since ROPS were mandatory, tractor accident reports have indicated over a 90% survival rate... these same reports also indicated very unfavorable results {highest fatality rates} on the drivers not strapped in and/or tried to bail out.

So the odds are in your favor to stay strapped in and stay with the machine...

Tractor Safety on Side Overturns

 

[TresCrows]

Thank god you were not hurt. I say belt in and stay in and certainly do not bail to the low side so the tractor can roll on top of you. A prominant family here lost their mother in a roll over. I am not going into details but they were not new to tractors and I am certain she was thrown off and then the tractor rolled over on her and crushed her--very, very sad thing. J

 

[r0GuE]

Shame on you. Be more carefull, there are (probably) alot of people who care about you, so you should try not to get killed just screwing around on a tractor. Read the saftey section of the manual (or online). Then (obviosly) belt in and stay in.
Also, pay attention to the situations that make it possible for a roll over. Do you need to load the tires? Should you keep the FEL lower while working? Can you get a weight on the rear? (see my thread on FEL counterbalance/very recent/theres alot of good suggestions there).
Ok, now go forth and BE CAREFULL!! ;^)

Rogue

 

[Rch]

One point to remember, being strapped in gives you a better chance of recovering from a tip-over by giving you continued access to the controls for that precious instant or two. It's the same in a car, the maximum performance cannot be achieved if your flying all over the front seat.

RCH

 

[skgolfer]

All, thanks for the info. I was belted but bailed anyway. I was just lucky that it all happened relatively slowly and I was able to keep the tractor from going over. I certainly learned a lesson.

I was being very careful, moving slowly, kept the FEL relatively low....no rear weight though.....it just goes to show...you can NEVER be too careful.

Thanks again.

 

[JATO_RaT]

When your on a hill, even a slight tilt sideways, ALWAYS carry your load low. A 6' high bucket of dirt hanging out even a couple of feet off center has a substantial load multiplying affect. Always be prepared to drop or lower your loader if things get unstable, Rat...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

First Don't get yourself into this situation. Plan and Avoid it!!!!!!!!

Tractors tip 2 ways - sideways and the flip up and over the back wheels.

The side flip is caused by have the centre of gravity to high. Front end loaders really cause a big problem when used by the ignorant amature. Tyres need to be loaded to lower the centre of gravity. THE BUCKET MUST NOT BE RAISED

The back flip is caused by trying to tow above the rear axle line. It is the most dangerous and most frequent cause of tractor deaths. The best example I saw several years ago was published in a tractor magazine and showed 4 shots of a tractor at an American tractor pull. ie 45, 90, 135, and 180 degrees. At 135 degrees the tractor was just about to crush the drivers skull. - No ROPS were fitted. - the driver did not survive.

Just because you have a seat belt in your car you shouldn't go looking for trouble. - Tractors are the same.