How dangerous is this?

DIYGuy · Jul 4, 2004

Hi All,

While moving rocks I had to add front wieght in a hurry. Last night I was thinking that thias probably wasn't the safest thing I've ever done. Attached is a picture for reference.

I have two questions:

1. Is this the proper way to add load? Yes, I will be building a proper front ballast box to replace the jury rig.

2. What am I likely to break if I over load the the 3pt. hitch? Currently there is a built in safety mechanism in that once the tracor front end comes up, I can't lift any more.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 4, 2004

Personally I think you were pretty ingenius to come up with that.

As for safety, I think you probably were pretty safe, it is hard to tell how you attached the front pallet/rock, but it was apparently sturdy enough to hold. There sure doesn't seem to be much pressure on your front tires from the looks of the picture, so you probably could have used some more weight up front. A front end loader would do the same thing in terms of weight up front, but in your case, I don't see why bolting onto the front frame extension should not be used just as you used it.

From the standpoint of the 3pt being damaged by too much weight, your biggest risk is probably bending the lower links. If you incur shock to the rear linkage you could destroy the rearend, but lifting should not cause that. I doubt you'd have too much possibility of risking the hydraulics?

DIYGuy · Jul 4, 2004

If I understand hydraulics, there's a bypass valve that should open before any of the mechanical components break.

Correct?

Henro · Jul 4, 2004

<font color="blue"> If I understand hydraulics, there's a bypass valve that should open before any of the mechanical components break.
</font>

There are pressure relief valves, but I think they are generally on the supply side of the control valve, so they in many cases are out of the picture once an object is lifted.

Take the loader, for example. if you lift the loader and move the tractor with the control stick centered, and happen to run into something you can develop tremendous pressure and burst a hydraulic hose. There is not PRV for protection. But if you were trying to lift more than the hydraulic system can at its set PSI, the PRV will trip and the bucket will not move up, and nothing will be stressed excessively.

I think the 3PH is the same...once you have something heavy in the air, it may be possible to damage component parts if you are moving and bouncing.

beenthere · Jul 4, 2004

Dangerous? Safe?

I don't see what you are doing as being about either one. Maybe taxing the structural integrity of the tractor in some way (although I doubt there is any problem there either) or another, but to me if what you are doing isn't at risk of tipping the tractor over, not dangerous at all and perfectly safe.

Maybe you were thinking of something else being 'dangerous' to your safety. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

DIYGuy · Jul 5, 2004

With that much weight on the turfs, it felt kinda unstable. The back end would shift 3 or 4 inches as the camber tilted from left to right and back. Here's a pic of the tire going over the berm.

Junkman · Jul 5, 2004

When all else fails, get a bigger rock!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As long as the pallet wood doesn't give way, I don't see anything wrong with your method.