Ballast Can I get training wheels?

[nebraskasparks]

Thanks for the post. Sharing this kind of information probably saves a life here and there. My grapple shows up Thursday...I'll take it real easy and keep the slopes in mind.

 

[wdchyd]

I have an L-35 that came with the matching backhoe.

I use the backhoe 'arm' all the time like an animal would use its tail for counter balance. I'll swing it to the uphill side if I'm on a slope. Or, I'll extend it out horizontal to the ground for a greater counter weight to either help with traction or tipping if I have something very heavy in the bucket.

Your idea of using just the outriggers from a backhoe is an intriguing idea; however, I think you'd be missing the true counter weight and that's the arm. I've done like you've mentioned and put them out for 'stability', but it doesn't really offer any stability where you need it. If you're lifting something really heavy, the tractor is pivoting off the front axle and the stabilizer arms are going to be farthest from where you really need them.

Using the counterweight of the BH once got me in trouble.....I had the BH stretched out to the side, and turned the seat around to move a few feet away from the stump I was working on out in the woods.....a sapling (approx 1 " dia) moved one control lever on the BH while driving forward(extended boom cyl out).....OOOPS...tractor leaned over almost 90 degrees before I could shut off engine.....(**** should have taken a pic of that:laughing.....

Yesterday, while using FEL w/o BH another stick under pedal area jammed the forward pedal till it climbed the pile I was scooping....another quick shut off engine episode.....I won't use FEL w/o BH anymore

SBAKF, I'm with you and need "Training Wheels".....Glad no one got hurt here and over there......:thumbsup:

 

[sbakf]

I wonder if my foamed rears are much different in weight than your loaded tires.

Posed this question to my dealer today. His view (guess?) was a foamed tire would be about 60 lbs. heavier than a loaded tire on a L5740. Course, a loaded tire is only partially filled. He also added, foamed tires run quite a bit rougher.

 

[Big Wave D]

wdchyd,

Man! You've had some exciting moments. Haven't come close to any of your more puckering moments.

I guess until I do; I'm going to keep using my 'tail' to my advantage.

I remember a summer job that had me using a Condor/bucket lift. It had mercury 'switches' or some such device that would stop you from going any farther and only let you reverse the direction or motion you were trying to do. Something like that would be a nice option on a tractor as a means of keeping oneself intact and out of harms way.

 

[wdchyd]

wdchyd,

It had mercury 'switches' or some such device that would stop you from going any farther and only let you reverse the direction or motion you were trying to do. Something like that would be a nice option on a tractor as a means of keeping oneself intact and out of harms way.

Mercury Level Switch.....AAAAHHH.....You should sell this idea to Kubota!!

Great Idea:thumbsup:

 

[sbakf]

If you were to chain the drawbar of the 5740 (with FEL and bush hog) to the rear of the K5 and have a pull-off, the 5740 should easily outpull the Blazer.

Interesting idea. Next time we have a family gathering out here, might test your theory. Anyone care to place a bet?

 

[sbakf]

Mercury Level Switch.....AAAAHHH.....You should sell this idea to Kubota!!

Great Idea:thumbsup:

Actually thought about a mercury switch yesterday. Remembered them from the old condensation pumps that were used on one's home central A/C units. At a minimum, could not one be used to kill ignition if either pitch or roll exceeded some preset limit. Then thought, probably wouldn't work. When riding either through woods or across rough pasture, that mercury puddle would be sloshing around like water in half empty bottle. Not even sure one of today's high-tech accelerometers would function properly on a working tractor.

 

[wdchyd]

Actually thought about a mercury switch yesterday. Remembered them from the old condensation pumps that were used on one's home central A/C units. At a minimum, could not one be used to kill ignition if either pitch or roll exceeded some preset limit. Then thought, probably wouldn't work. When riding either through woods or across rough pasture, that mercury puddle would be sloshing around like water in half empty bottle. Not even sure one of today's high-tech accelerometers would function properly on a working tractor.

That's true.....the times I've seen mercury level switches were on construction hyd scissors lifts.....they would just crawl slowly....and some only use the mercury switch when raising the platform (driving it did not trip off switch)