Goodbye 3030 HSTC, Hello 3430 HSTC

[ovrszd]

Charlesaf3,

I have a B3030 and even though my 3.5 acres is pretty level I do have a few spots that slope pretty good. Here is a picture of the steepest part of the "ditch" alongside of the road. I have never felt at all unsafe on this while mowing. Hope it gives you an idea of what a B3030 will do. I am very happy with mine. Good luck.

Although I don't have pictures to back this up, we mow a road bank a lot steeper than the one pictured here. I wish you had a tiltmeter or inclinometer to tell us the degree of your slope Toolguy.

 

[VAMountains]

Although I don't have pictures to back this up, we mow a road bank a lot steeper than the one pictured here. I wish you had a tiltmeter or inclinometer to tell us the degree of your slope Toolguy.

Just curious, but do you have the cab?

 

[ovrszd]

Just curious, but do you have the cab?

Nope.

 

[BrianW]

I am sure the cab on the B3030 raises the CG dramatically. The difference between the cab and non cab models is 419 lbs. That is 22% of the weight of the B3030 without a cab. The difference between the L3430 cab and non cab models is 330 lbs. (why is it less?). This is slightly less than 10% of the non cab L3430. This fact along with the fact that the L3430's minimum tread being 6" more than the B3030 would contribute to the L3430 being more stable on slopes. Is the L3430 with cab more stable on slopes than the B3030 without a cab? The only way to know this is to determine where the center of gravity (height from the ground) is on both models. I personally hope to never test it that far .

 

[IslandTractor]

I still think we need more data and a better understanding of stability issues between larger and smaller tractors. VAMountains just shelled out $7500 to get a more stable tractor....did he get a more stable tractor or not?

Do any of the manufacturers or UNebraska etc have data to derive models for how to predict tractor stability? In theory the limit would be at the point that the CG was outside the downhill tire ground contact point. It seems to me that static stability could be pretty easily tested and compared with a simple system where you'd have a variable incline (maybe operated by hydraulic jacks) that slowly tipped a tractor until it started to tip over (obviously you'd need a restraining system like a set of webstraps to prevent tipping all the way over...you'd just need to know when it started to tip over). That angle of incline would be that tractor's static stability limit. As operator weight and position are factors in the CG that would need to be approximated with some sort of mannekin sitting in the tractor seat.

Of course the big caveat here is that this would only be measuring static stability and that is almost never the real issue in tractor roll overs. Nevertheless, there must be some fairly direct relationship between static and dynamic stability so the static stability data would be better than just comparing tractor heights, weights and track widths.

 

[kubuddha]

Toolguy, That is one good looking 3030, you must have a fresh coat of wax on it, I know I do, on my 3030 I bought in July. I have 5 acres it leaves a golf course looking mow. Perfect machine for my needs, as for slopes my property is level. I did have a rear wheel off the with a load of top soil, but that was before I had the rear tires filled. Now about the weight I like the of 3 to 4000# machines. B3030, 72"MMM, 403 Loader, 60" Landpride BB, 72"RB. Because of my computer Disabilities I haven't a clue how to begin to download photos or even format this response.

 

[Toolguy]

Kubuddha,

Thanks. I try to keep it looking good. I know some people think it may be wrong to treat a tractor this way, but I washed and waxed it again last weekend.

 

[kubotabilly]

Va,
You'll love the 3430HSTC. I have over 200 hours on mine with no troubles whatsoever. I've attached a photo of my 3430 with my little backhoe attached. I chose the wide turf tires (18") over the R4's because I mow alot of grass and don't want to tear up the turf. The turf tires work great, even in the winter for plowing snow.

Bill

 

[ovrszd]

I still think we need more data and a better understanding of stability issues between larger and smaller tractors. VAMountains just shelled out $7500 to get a more stable tractor....did he get a more stable tractor or not?

Do any of the manufacturers or UNebraska etc have data to derive models for how to predict tractor stability? In theory the limit would be at the point that the CG was outside the downhill tire ground contact point.

Yeah I agree. There should be factory statistics that show you where the CG is on a given model with given equipment, maybe the base model. That would at least get a person close. I think the CG on my B2910 is higher than one might think. I used a photo and calculated the CG at the top link pin. If that is true it will stand on a 28 degree slope. That doesn't sound realistic to me. So the CG must be higher than that?

It would be nice to have a general idea of where to start. But then when I think of the legal side, no manufacturer is going to tell you a tractor will operate on a certain grade for fear of being sued when it doesn't.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not sure what to make of a photographic technique to predict CG. You couldn't assume equal density or volume of all parts of the tractor. It also doesn't help account for the operator's weight and position which can be a pretty big factor at least in the smaller tractors.

I agree manufacturers are unlikely to publish such data (though I imagine they have it) but some organization like U Nebraska could easily incorporate at least a static stability test as part of their program. I'm thinking something along the lines of what the US Coast Guard does with new ships where they load up one side of the vessel and determine how much it affects stability. Using the little incline system I described in an earlier post would not be that difficult and would be quite safe. It is not an absolute guide but would be much better than nothing.