I have a second (gasp!) confession to make!

Henro · Oct 7, 2013

Hi,

I tipped my tractor on it's side...

I though I would share this in hopes that it might help someone be more aware of how unexpected things can happen!

Well, it happened last summer. After over ten years operating my B2910 (Close to 1,000 hours on the tractor), while using the box blade to pull down the banks of a failed attempt to make a pond (previous owner, probably 40 years ago) I was numbed by the repetition of going forward, back, forward, back,forward I guess, and did not notice that I was building up an edge, that was about 2' high when the event occurred. What happened was that I got too close to the edge of this little build up, and the tractor slid down, and then abruptly stopped when it reached the bottom, and a slow roll occurred. VERY slow...but before you know it...the tractor was on its side.

Another view:

And one more... you can see the area is almost level, except for the small drop off that I did not realize I was making...

I thought the smaller tractor might pull the bigger one upright...but there was not enough traction...

Fortunately there was a tree nearby....

Tractor back on its wheels...

Overview of the area:

View from the opposite angle:

The message? You just never know! Always wear your seat belt and try not to be lulled into a lack of concentration when doing repetitive tasks like I was!

creekbend · Oct 7, 2013

Accidents can happen in a Split Second. Sincerely glad that YOU weren't injured. Thanks for posting.

Bob77064 · Oct 7, 2013

Good post, glad you are ok.

Egbert · Oct 7, 2013

Glad you're here to tell us about the event. But .. STOP IT! You're setting a bad precedent and we're all going to feel like we need to confess

Wagtail · Oct 7, 2013

creekbend said:
Accidents can happen in a Split Second. Sincerely glad that YOU weren't injured. Thanks for posting.

Yep, x2 what creekbend said. Also, confession is good for the soul.

Henro · Oct 7, 2013

Egbert said:
Glad you're here to tell us about the event. But .. STOP IT! You're setting a bad precedent and we're all going to feel like we need to confess

Ha, ha...Confessions are only bad if the better half reads the forums! :laughing:

PS... Mine does not know about this one!

kenmac · Oct 7, 2013

Luck was on your side this time. Things can and do turn bad quickly. Be careful out there.:thumbsup: Did you have to go change your underwear:laughing:

You haven't been around in some time.. Glad to see you posting again

RBA50 · Oct 8, 2013

Glad you are OK. These things can happen quickly.

In your second picture, there is a cinder block (that was presumably being used for weight on the box blade) that is on the ROPS. A little further (a fast roll, instead of a slow roll) and it might have hit you in the head. I think I'd see about securing those things a little better, even if the tractor is supposed to stay upright!

skylarkguy · Oct 8, 2013

Those picts make me think more about a ROPS. Yikes!

Henro · Oct 13, 2013

Hi,

Yes there was, I think, a couple (maybe 3) concrete blocks on the boxblade for extra weight, in addition to that small piece that is laying on the ground. The others stayed put on the boxblade, for whatever reason. In the case of this tip over, I was moving very slowly, maybe 2 or 3 MPH, so I think the chance of something being propelled forward was very small. Actually I was moving backwards...so whatever would fly would probably want to go in that direction rather than in the direction of the tractor.

But your point is well taken. Securing ballast to the boxblade is probably a very good idea. Even for hard heads like me (according to my wife, who am I do dispute that?)...

Edit: On second thought I don't think I was moving backwards... I was looking backwards...while moving forward...that is why I did not notice the drop off that I had made...

troutsqueezer · Oct 13, 2013

From the pics, I wouldn't guess you could flip a tractor on that terrain. How long did you wait to restart? Any damage?

bky · Oct 14, 2013

are you tires loaded?
it doesn't look like a grade that would tip one over but you never know. glad you are ok.

CobyRupert · Oct 14, 2013

Henro said:
What happened was that I got too close to the edge of this little build up, and the tractor slid down, and then abruptly stopped when it reached the bottom, and a slow roll occurred. VERY slow...but before you know it...the tractor was on its side.

Glad you're ok. Any damage? Do you think chains and R4's contributed to the sliding? Did it slide, then "catch", sort of a dynamic roll, caused more by the momentum than the steepness, cause it doesn't look very steep. (then again all my winter skiiing pictures going down a black diamond look like I'm in Iowa. i.e. pictures make things look flat) I'm also curious to know if tires are loaded.

Henro · Oct 16, 2013

Hi again!

Yes my tires are loaded. The rears about 75 or 80 percent with Windshield washer fluid. The fronts are foam filled.

I was proceeding forward while looking backward at the box blade. The slide was not fast, but fast enough that I could feel the bump when the wheels hit the bottom. The drop was not a step, but a slope about 2' high or so. When the tractor hit bottom, I could feel it start to go over ever so slightly...but I knew it was not going to stop.

I probably had it back upright within 30 minutes, maybe less. I let it sit a little bit, while I considered whether to pull the glow plugs out or not, to drain any fuel that might have gotten into the cylinders(Or oil?). I decided that I probably did not have to worry about it, as the time on its side was so short.

There was no damage at all. The area is not steep at all, very gradual slope, probably only several degrees max. The issue was the somewhat steep but short transition between the soil I had built up by dragging it with the box blade, and the original grade...

It still amazes me that I ended up on my side! I think the extra weight of the "head protector" contributed to some degree, but how much I don't have a clue.

I have always been cautious with the B2910 on slope, but am even more cautious now! My BX is another story. With foam filled tires front and back, and the mower deck on, it is amazingly stable on slopes.

Bill

ronjhall · Oct 16, 2013

Glad you are OK and the tractor made it thru the event OK. Since retirement I always worry about doing projects by myself. What if something happened and there was no one around to help me. After 9 years I have managed to not have to find out what if. I keep reminding wife to keep a eye on what I am doing just in case something goes wrong. Not sure she does that. But I keep reminding her.
Also brings up your other thread on Grandson riding on tractor. Never while I am working a project.

fordmantpw · Oct 16, 2013

RBA50 said:
Glad you are OK. These things can happen quickly.

In your second picture, there is a cinder block (that was presumably being used for weight on the box blade) that is on the ROPS. A little further (a fast roll, instead of a slow roll) and it might have hit you in the head. I think I'd see about securing those things a little better, even if the tractor is supposed to stay upright!

I was going to post the same thing.

mikim · Oct 16, 2013

remember you posting back when you were building that cage...too bad it finally came in handy though.......

CobyRupert · Oct 17, 2013

Sounds like the sliding momentum and then "hitting bottom" made it roll, rather than just the angle. I don't want to start an argument, (the ol' R4 vs R2 discussion) but would slide gave occurred if no chains (and R2's)?