Have you ever turned over a tractor?

[JerryG]

does anybody out there use a tip meter?

I have had two tilt meters for about 6 years. I have model 25C mounted to read side to side and the 7489C reads front to back. They are from TBN sponsor R&B Manufacturing. Both owners of R&B are members here. One thing for sure, if anyone ever has a problem with one of these tilt meters, Rick takes care of it immediately. If they are bought through the TBN store it helps with funding to keep TBN operational. Here is the main R&Bs site.
Welcome to R&B MFG. INC

 

[BTDT]

Back when I worked for a rental equipment company, I turned over one of these. Swinger Loaders We were working on a piece of equipment (American lift crane), and were taking apart the sheet metal that surrounds engine/hoist machinery. It (the crane) was sitting out near our powerwash equipment, and the only way to get to one side of it was on a sloped drive that came into the back of our dealership. I knew the danger, and was working as carefully as I could, but when the panel swung loose from crane, it's momentum carried unit right over on it's side. I just hung on, it seemed as though it was in slow motion, and as it came crashing down, I just stepped out. As another poster has said, we set unit back upright with a Galion cherry picker and went back to work. We probably should have used the Galion at first, but it wasn't on location at the time.

 

[Dougster]

does anybody out there use a tip meter?

My feeling: If you need a tip meter to confirm circumstances as being safe, they probably aren't.

Dougster

 

[RoyJackson]

My feeling: If you need a tip meter to confirm circumstances as being safe, they probably aren't.

Dougster

I had a tiltmeter on my first machine and think they are an excellent aid for the novice tractor owner or the owner who operates his tractor frequently in new (and unknown) areas.
They're not a replacement for caution and common sense, but can keep you out of trouble on slopes that gradually increase in steepness.
In my case (as a novice), the tiltmeter helped me judge the slope. I found there was more then one slope that really bothered me, but were actually well under 10°.
So, I strongly suggest any new operator who has property that is sloped at all...or, as mentioned, frequently traverses unknown slopes (such as a landscape contractor), install one on their tractor.

 

[Dougster]

I had a tiltmeter on my first machine and think they are an excellent aid for the novice tractor owner or the owner who operates his tractor frequently in new (and unknown) areas. They're not a replacement for caution and common sense, but can keep you out of trouble on slopes that gradually increase in steepness. In my case (as a novice), the tiltmeter helped me judge the slope. I found there was more then one slope that really bothered me, but were actually well under 10°. So, I strongly suggest any new operator who has property that is sloped at all...or, as mentioned, frequently traverses unknown slopes (such as a landscape contractor), install one on their tractor.

I would never quibble about anything that a novice felt he or she needed to learn more about their new machine and how to operate it safely. But let me ask you this: How many tractor owners/operators... novice or experienced... know exactly how far they can safely go in all operating circumstances in terms of an axial or lateral slope? My guess is darn near none. Further, I don't believe that most roll-overs or flips happen as a result of the operator unknowingly exceeding a published or otherwise established setpoint that could have been avoided with his or her eyes on a meter. I know I sound old, jaded and cynical here, but I just don't think a meter is the easy and quick answer to preventing tractor roll-overs.

My hopelessly wet, slippery, sloped yard is a perfect example if where a meter could give someone a false sense of security if they were reading a meter rather than taking in and fully understanding the big picture... pitch of the yard, presence of water, leaves, looseness or compactness of soils, dips where rocks or stumps used to be, tire direction and turning, 2WD vs. 4WD, tractor loading, etc. I also know that I have passed on a lot of work where maybe a meter would have shown that the danger was not as great as I had perceived... but I have no regrets. If my eyes and gut tell me it would have been too dangerous for my machine to handle, that's good enough for me.

Dougster

 

[tractorworks]

Have to agree with Dougster on this. I rolled grey market Kubota on it's side. Happened in slow motion. Had rops installed-so it just laid over. No seat belt-stepped out on low side as it laid down. Had a post hole auger on back and always felt like it raised center of gravity. I think some would be watching meter for percieved danger instead of paying attention to what tractor was doing. Watched guy get real big eyes loading a Mahindra 4110 TLB when the front end came up off the ramp. Backhoe kept him from going over but makes it tough to get tractor loaded. Normally a very stable tractor but trailer had just enough incline in addition to ramp which shifted center of gravity further back.

 

[RoyJackson]

... know exactly how far they can safely go in all operating circumstances in terms of an axial or lateral slope? My guess is darn near none. Further, I don't believe that most roll-overs or flips happen as a result of the operator unknowingly exceeding a published or otherwise established setpoint that could have been avoided with his or her eyes on a meter. I know I sound old, jaded and cynical here, but I just don't think a meter is the easy and quick answer to preventing tractor roll-overs.

Dougster

It's not...reread my post. A tiltmeter is a good aid, but it's not a replacement for caution and common sense.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have turned a little one over. BX1500 creep mowing little trees and brush w 54" MMM on a wooded hillside. Crosswise, but safely w/i capability of tractor except for one thing. I stupidly folded a little tree on the uphill side. You guessed it - it sprang back and pushed me over. This is one of those times that not wearing the belt was probably good. I stepped off on the downhill side as it fell, and the ROPS caught it solidly. Many scenarios, much worse come to mind. If I had been wearing the belt my head would have hit the ground hard - and there were little cut tree stobs all over the place. Or as it went I could have been hit by ROPS or a continued tumble. Alternately, climbing the hi side over a MMM?!!!

As it was the tractor laid seemingly happily running on its side til I got the key off. No damage, and I learned not to hit trees on the hi side.
larry

 

[tallyho8]

I thank all of you for your replies. It is very interesting to discover some of the scenarios that have occurred and gives you more to think about each time you are operating your tractor. The knowledge we obtain on what has happened to others will surely help us to be safer operators in the future.

It is just sad that those who have had the worst accidents are no longer around to post their details and suggestions.

 

[tuolumne]

Gramps went over backward in the late 40's. He survived by the grace of God with the smoke stack skewered in the earth next to him. The tractor (no implement) had the rear wheels freeze in some muddy ground over night. His first attempt to go stalled the machine. The next step was to increase RPMs and dump the clutch. I wonder how many farmers weren't so lucky in such situations on the old machines?