How to kill yourself without knowing

The Haymaker · Nov 10, 2010

I still can't believe we are comparing the actions of a tractor tipping due to center of gravity and moving at 3mph to a fighter jet moving at 700 and being spun forcibly by ailerons.

Me, I'll live while knowing it by using the time proven tricks of paying attention, using good sense, and enjoying the little thing called "reflexes".

EE_Bota · Nov 10, 2010

SpringHollow said:
Maybe I already mentioned it here (this is a long thread) but someone posted on TBN about going up a hill and being careful. The tractor rolled over backwards. By the time he realized there was a problem, the clutch pedal of his tractor was staring him in the face. I appreciated his post and keep that image in mind when i am thinking if i am careful, i can get away with something.

Ken

I believe it can happen just that way, and just that fast. Lot's of people don't believe it. I try to remind coworkers that no one would leave the house in the morning thinking that something like that will happen to them, try to leave the "it will never happen to me" thoughs behind, and replace it with care and caution to make SURE it doesn't happen to them.

nebraskasparks · Nov 10, 2010

The Haymaker said:
I still can't believe we are comparing the actions of a tractor tipping due to center of gravity and moving at 3mph to a fighter jet moving at 700 and being spun forcibly by ailerons.

Me, I'll live while knowing it by using the time proven tricks of paying attention, using good sense, and enjoying the little thing called "reflexes".

I think you missed a lot of the discussion earlier on in the thread.

I can't force you to believe...but You better check the safety forum at TBN and look at the video involving a tractor operating at 3 mph and the overturn. You might be surprised...at least I hope you are. Hopefully you also realize that I am not trying to "pull a fast one" on you...but trying to get the TBN audience to understand that fractions of a second to the human mind and very strong moment arms on tractors are in fact identical/the same for a clumsy looking tractor and a jet fighter...it's all physics and ergonomics (man/machine interface).

Everything we do with a tractor involves physics and everything we operate in regard to machinery operates by these very same principles. Center of gravity/torque/slope and angles/moment arms and centrifugal force are what you play with every time you turn a switch on a tractor ...We had pilots that bragged about their fast minds, "time proven tricks" and reflexes...and some of them aren't here today.
The common sense that you mention is killing men that have a lot of tractor time...which almost happened to yours truly.

oldballs · Nov 17, 2010

Can I ask a practical question? Being a newbie, while pulling 6 inch fence posts with the FEL(on level ground), the tractor would want to roll up and over. The rear balast is a RB (weight 270 lbs). Should the RB be up as high as it can go or near the ground? And,Ohh-h-h, I wasn't wearing the seat belt because I was getting on and off to adjust the chain or wiggle the post. That part, I'm going to correct. Thanks.....oldballs.

SpringHollow · Nov 17, 2010

You would want the rear weight as low as possible. You could try adding weight to the blade as well - cinder blocks, etc

Ken

texasjohn · Nov 18, 2010

oldballs, when I first got my tractor, I assumed it was ready to go to work.
It was....but not SAFELY for everything I wanted to do.
First thing I tried was to pull fence posts...yep, rear end came off ground.

You MUST get sufficient rear weight such that you CANNOT lift rear wheels off ground when FEL is lifting with all its might and relief valve is hissing. I ADDED about 800 lbs to the rear box blade... does the trick.

Many ways to do this and much discussed here on TBN... please research rear weights here on TBN and find a combination that works for you and makes it IMPOSSIBLE for you to lift the rear wheels off the ground with FEL.

Redneck in training · Nov 18, 2010

oldballs said:
Can I ask a practical question? Being a newbie, while pulling 6 inch fence posts with the FEL(on level ground), the tractor would want to roll up and over. The rear balast is a RB (weight 270 lbs). Should the RB be up as high as it can go or near the ground? And,Ohh-h-h, I wasn't wearing the seat belt because I was getting on and off to adjust the chain or wiggle the post. That part, I'm going to correct. Thanks.....oldballs.

When you lift the rear wheels off the ground the tractor will turn sideways only to the stop restricting front axle motion.

nebraskasparks · Nov 18, 2010

texasjohn said:
oldballs, when I first got my tractor, I assumed it was ready to go to work.
It was....but not SAFELY for everything I wanted to do.
First thing I tried was to pull fence posts...yep, rear end came off ground.

You MUST get sufficient rear weight such that you CANNOT lift rear wheels off ground when FEL is lifting with all its might and relief valve is hissing. I ADDED about 800 lbs to the rear box blade... does the trick.

Many ways to do this and much discussed here on TBN... please research rear weights here on TBN and find a combination that works for you and makes it IMPOSSIBLE for you to lift the rear wheels off the ground with FEL.

Ditto TJ...the moment arm (end of your FEL to the pivot point where it's attached) is actually pretty long...which moves your center of gravity which is usually in front of your rear axle and moves it further up and even closer to your bucket or grapple which AIN'T GOOD. 6 inch posts in stubborn ground (or concrete) take a super load of weight/pressure to pull.
Whatever the weight your FEL is rated at the pin attachment point - you can use at least 1/3 of that weight or more on the 3pt for the back of the tractor.

Reg · Nov 18, 2010

oldballs said:
Can I ask a practical question? Being a newbie, while pulling 6 inch fence posts with the FEL(on level ground), the tractor would want to roll up and over. The rear balast is a RB (weight 270 lbs). Should the RB be up as high as it can go or near the ground? And,Ohh-h-h, I wasn't wearing the seat belt because I was getting on and off to adjust the chain or wiggle the post. That part, I'm going to correct. Thanks.....oldballs.

You can expect the FEL to pull the tractor forwards as soon as the bucket reaches somewhere around the FEL's pivot point.

RESIST any temptation to drive the tractor backwards in 4WD while pulling posts or shrubs - front end wheelies, even at low speed, can be very unpleasant.

If you insist on using rear ballast - or feel you need to because your FEL can get your tractor's rear wheels off the ground - keep it low, but not ON the ground.