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).

 

[TripleR]

There are no absolutes. On some bigger tractors, the percentage of weight is so small as to be inconsequential on many slopes. Most farmers never remove their FEL in my area and much of it involves operating on slopes.

As Roy says, ballast can be substituted for a FEL, but I almost always wind up using my FEL when bush hogging to move a log out of the way or to haul a little rock going to or fro, so I prefer to keep a FEL on my L5030 most of the time. My BX2660 scares the snot out of me with a FEL on a slope and will almost always take it off unless going straight up. My son in law has my old BX2200 and mows a pretty steep yard and he has never taken the FEL off and doesn't even use rear ballast; don't know how he manages, but he does.

The most stable hill tractor I have is a Massey Ferguson 375 with no front ballast, turf tires on the back and Ag's on the front. It will go just about anywhere, well when it's running...

 

[rekees4300]

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

Actually it does some good if it prevents somebody from being killed. Okay here's the explanation. If you use a tractor with a FEL on a steep slope the tractor may roll over and kill you.

The safest way to mow a steep hill is to use reverse so the front of the tractor can't flip over. That way no loader is needed.

 

[Egon]

The safest way to mow a steep hill is to use reverse so the front of the tractor can't flip over. That way no loader is needed.

Sheep would work well also!:thumbsup:

 

[rekees4300]

Correct! Sheep wont flip over either.

 

[Johndeere3720]

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

I learned that on a skidsteer.

 

[Johndeere3720]

Correct! Sheep wont flip over either.

Cattle get the job done.:thumbsup:

 

[Scotty370]

How do you Guys keep the Sheep and Cattle in the bucket?? ~S

 

[rekees4300]

How do you Guys keep the Sheep and Cattle in the bucket?? ~S

Bungee Cords

 

[Johndeere3720]

How do you Guys keep the Sheep and Cattle in the bucket?? ~S

Bungee Cords

And duct tape:thumbsup:

 

[Scotty370]

Thanks for the clarification! Here I was thinking Freezer Paper, and Ice! I'm "so" not with it! ~S