Can rear ballast be dangerous?

[WranglerX]

I've been searching the forums and it seems there are quite a few discussions about determining proper ballast, and they never seem to find an answer. I guess I'll keep reading and learning, but I do need more weight than I have.
I think my original question is answered, that if I'm going up a steep hill with no weight on the loader, the rear weights might put me at risk for backwards rollover. I would take them off in that situation. Otherwise, I'll leave them on all the time.
Thanks again to everybody for helping a new tractor owner.

You are going to work extremely hard to do that.... Only time I have heard of something like that is a person connected a chain or something really high on tractor and cause tractor to stop forward motion and rear wheel keep going foward when tractor body stop going forward... Actually if rear weight is anchored correctly it may act as a preventative as like wheelie bars on drag car....


Backflip With Tractor - YouTube

If you will note he worked pretty hard to make it happen.... You probably stand more of a chance to flip it over sideways....

Dale

 

[CobyRupert]

I’ve got a hook on the back of my box blade. Sometimes if I’m pulling something too heavy especially with a downward angle on the chain it will lift the front wheels up. But a backflip can’t happen. The front wheels can lift maybe 2’ before the blade hits the ground. Your tractor is just a tad smaller than my L3800. I find loaded tires and my box blade that’s probably 500 pounds a little lacking for ballast but it’s enough to get by. I bushhog all the time without a loader in. Even without the loaded for front weight the front end still has enough weight on it.

I think backflip could still happen. If tires dig in and top link is still pulling tractor backwards, and 3 point hitch has no down force so it won’t act like wheelie bars, there’s nothing stopping tractor from flipping over.

 

[CobyRupert]

My Op Manual - RE: rear ballast. Paraphrasing here - "Be sure to use adequate rear ballast when lifting loads with the FEL".

JMHO - LITIGATION is the reason there are no definite recommendations or formulas in the Op Manual.

Also, rear ballast isn’t just a function of weight, it’s also a function of distance from the fulcrum (the rear axle). Maybe they could list ballast in foot-pounds, but that would get too complicated for most consumers.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I think backflip could still happen. If tires dig in and top link is still pulling tractor backwards, and 3 point hitch has no down force so it won’t act like wheelie bars, there’s nothing stopping tractor from flipping over.

The tractor won't flip right over because the three point hitch arms stop at the fully raised position. The front wheels will be a good ways in the air though.

 

[Diggin It]

I think backflip could still happen. If tires dig in and top link is still pulling tractor backwards, and 3 point hitch has no down force so it won稚 act like wheelie bars, there痴 nothing stopping tractor from flipping over.

I started uphill on an old piece of junk rider mower I was testing out to see if I could use it for a runabout. The front end proved to be way too light and it started to nose up, front wheels off the ground. Instead of going over backwards ( which might have kept me from being here now ), it started to go left and pivoted around enough that I was able to steer it back down hill. Somehow it didn't go over sideways either. I see that as a greater possibly in what we're talking about, that once the front end started to lift, it would lean to either side and tilt or roll sideways.

 

[WranglerX]

I started uphill on an old piece of junk rider mower I was testing out to see if I could use it for a runabout. The front end proved to be way too light and it started to nose up, front wheels off the ground. Instead of going over backwards ( which might have kept me from being here now ), it started to go left and pivoted around enough that I was able to steer it back down hill. Somehow it didn't go over sideways either. I see that as a greater possibly in what we're talking about, that once the front end started to lift, it would lean to either side and tilt or roll sideways.

Understandable ... I did youtube search found 9 or so back flips where garden tractor used as hill climbers.... 1 as real tractor (see video else where) and 20 acrobatic back flips of tractor tires by a human..... DUH....

We all know from other discussions about pulling from a drawbar mounted to high above axle that it can cause a back flip.... But its not a ballast weight...

Dale

 

[ovrszd]

I don't fear a backflip from too much ballast. I'll most certainly freak out and do something stupid which will put the tractor sideways on the incline before it goes over backwards. Then it'll barrel roll......

Twice I've tried to climb steep grades in the timber and chickened out. Very difficult to get backed down the incline without doing something stupid.....

 

[K5lwq]

We had one on the farm stand a IH 1586 on it's end while cultivating with a 8 row 3pt mounted cultivator. He was in the middle of the field on flat land. Still to this day do not know how but that was his last day on the farm. Dad let him go on that one. :laughing:

You just never know what someone else is capable of doing.

 

[paulfun9]

Thanks for the reassurance.
The manual mentions the need for using appropriate ballast but doesn't give any numbers. Not real helpful.
Maybe I'll add some wheel weights also.

I think the owners manual for the FEL will give a break down on required ballast. Between the manual for the loader and the one for the tractor my tractor requirements are spelled out fairly well.

 

[paulfun9]

I've been searching the forums and it seems there are quite a few discussions about determining proper ballast, and they never seem to find an answer. I guess I'll keep reading and learning, but I do need more weight than I have.
I think my original question is answered, that if I'm going up a steep hill with no weight on the loader, the rear weights might put me at risk for backwards rollover. I would take them off in that situation. Otherwise, I'll leave them on all the time.
Thanks again to everybody for helping a new tractor owner.

You need to know your wieght. Depending on how the machine is set up you travel with the heavy side pointing up no matter the direction your going.