Center of gravity with FEL

[radman1]

Does a FEL on a CUT lower the COG if FEL is lowered to near the ground with bucket? Is it better to mow hillsides with FEL and bucket on tractor than with FEL off?

Could a bucket wider than the tires of a CUT help prevent a roll over if the bucket is near the ground?

 

[LD1]

Does a FEL on a CUT lower the COG if FEL is lowered to near the ground with bucket? Is it better to mow hillsides with FEL and bucket on tractor than with FEL off?

Could a bucket wider than the tires of a CUT help prevent a roll over if the bucket is near the ground?

As far as lowering the COG, it would be a close call. Newer Sub-compacts already have a low COG especially with a MMM. Larger tractors and especially ones with a cab, I'd say it probabally would.

Would a wider bucket help a rollover...yes. even if it is only as wide as the tires because the front axle pivots and the loader will not.

Will it help mowing hills? Going up, yes. Sideways, it's a toss up. The added weight may want to make you slide down if steep enough, but will add weight to the front to help maintain steering. Going down, it depends on how steep and your set-up. If 2wd, no way. If you have a MMM, I'd say no way, it would take too much weight off the rears which are much larger and provide more breaking traction. If a RFM, and loader is kept very low, you might be okay.

 

[RoyJackson]

I prefer mowing without the loader. No matter how low the bucket is, you've still got the masts and arms of the loader above the CoG.
So, I suggest you try mowing with the loader...then without the bucket...then without the loader. See which works best for you. Removing the bucket (only) reduces the pendulum effect in turns. That pendulum, to me, is very uncomfortable as I turn at the bottom of a slope or anywhere else.
Remember, your front axle is basically a pivot. The added weight of the loader (especially in turns) adds to that pivoting and makes the pendulum effect even worse...especially on side slopes.
That added weight (of the loader/bucket) going upslope is an advantage if it's really steep (I'd rather have compact front weights...but I don't). So there is a trade off. In my case, I'd rather have that greater stability when driving across the slope, so the loader comes off.
So, try my suggestion and let us know how it works for you.

 

[TripleR]

I pretty much agree with Roy when using SCUT/CUT, especially trying all options to see what works best for you. On my larger 70&80 HP models, I leave the FEL on primarily because they are a bear to remove and are stable enough for my needs.

 

[Squeak n Itch]

Now, having removed the FEL a couple of times and getting the hang of that operation I agree with Roy. Handling is much better. The only possible drawback for me is that it creates the illusion that you can mow faster with the same amount of safety.

 

[dodge man]

On my BX, it seems top heavy with the loader on, even with the bucket low.

 

[rekees4300]

Does a FEL on a CUT lower the COG if FEL is lowered to near the ground with bucket? Is it better to mow hillsides with FEL and bucket on tractor than with FEL off?

Could a bucket wider than the tires of a CUT help prevent a roll over if the bucket is near the ground?

hillsides + FEL = RIP

 

[LD1]

hillsides + FEL = RIP

A general statement like that with no explination does no one any good.

Tractor with bushhog going up a steep hill with no loader = RIP

 

[Egon]

Going down steep hills the FEL usually works as a better brake than the wheel brakes.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

A general statement like that with no explination does no one any good.

Tractor with bushhog going up a steep hill with no loader = RIP

Better way to put that might be Tractor with bushhog going up a steep hill with no front ballast = RIP.

However, going slow (low gear) upslope...even with no front ballast, can be OK. I've done it. It depends on the slope...main thing, go slow.
Front ballast of some sort (loader, suitcase weights) would be preferable, however. But the loader on other areas of the slopes (traveling across the slope, for example) may be a disadvantage (read my previous post in this thread).