Is there any science behind pucker factor?

[TMcD_in_MI]

I have an articulating tractor. The tractor gets longer and shorter as it bends in the middle. Just standing still on level ground, not moving forward or backwards, with a heavy load in the bucket, if I turn the steering wheel away from straight, the unit will tip on its nose and the rear wheels will come off the ground. If I turn the steering wheel back towards straight, the rear wheels will come back down on the ground. The center of gravity constantly changes as I turn the steering wheel even on level ground. It moves all over the place. In the real world, driving across a slope, the CG changes each time I touch the steering wheel, even if the slope never changes.

Wow, Moss Road! I sure didn't think about an articulating tractor when I was pontificating, did I? I can totally see that as the tractor articulates, the rear wheels will get closer to the front wheels, in effect shortening the wheelbase of the tractor. The CG will get closer to the loader, as well as moving to the side. Verrrrry Interesting! Thanks for pointing it out.

Tom

 

[Soundguy]

Not puckering enough, obviously.

Bad pucker valve seat?

Soundguy

 

[Defective]

I still think the stains are caused by the antipucker reflex.

 

[TroyR57]

Attached is a photo, of me trying to change the pucker factor, by using , the out riger, and the swing of the back hoe, as you can see, I am still, sitting, at about a 20 degree angle.

 

[3RRL]

Well, I'm not so sure about the anti-pucker factor causing stains.
After all, like RobJ said above, it's in my sig. At my age, sometimes the stains are for no reason at all...just Depends.

 

[jbrumberg]

I read this interesting quote: "sometimes I pee when I laugh". I've been getting close . Jay

PS: Rob- I still use your quote with good success .

 

[patrick_g]

The CG (within the frame of reference of the tractor) does not change appreciably except for perhaps the effect of shifting liquid fill in tires. The position and velocity of the CG may change with regards to other inertial frames of reference.

Those who do not get that "funny feeling" that often comes shortly before a turn over or near turn over (or suppress it) are like the people who do not get a funny feeling when they go right up to the edge of a serious drop off. Those who don't are frequently removed from the gene pool (see Darwin award) which tends to increase the proportion of the population who do get that funny feeling.

What was not addressed but was of importance to me was whether or not pucker factor could change the outcome of whether or not it would be able to get off the magic conveyor belt!

Pat

 

[RobJ]

Those who do not get that "funny feeling" that often comes shortly before a turn over or near turn over (or suppress it) are like the people who do not get a funny feeling when they go right up to the edge of a serious drop off. Those who don't are frequently removed from the gene pool (see Darwin award) which tends to increase the proportion of the population who do get that funny feeling.

So there is something wrong with a person who is not afraid of heights? Or not afraid to lean over the edge of a tall buildings rail? Perhaps put your head on the glass looking down from the Sears Tower?

I thought those that didnt' were fraidy cats. Why be worried if you are protected by a rail...errrrrr...errr...glass...rops.

 

[mopacman]

I have been almost nerve deff for years. I rely on my eyes to keep my balance. If the lights go out I have to hold on to something to stand up. when I am on my tractor I think my pucker factor is perty good but when I cant keep my pucker in one place on the seat the slop is to steep. I think common sence has a lot to do with pucker factor. Alot of people have common sence about different things so some people have better pucker than others.........Larry

 

[patrick_g]

So there is something wrong with a person who is not afraid of heights? Or not afraid to lean over the edge of a tall buildings rail? Perhaps put your head on the glass looking down from the Sears Tower?

I thought those that didnt' were fraidy cats. Why be worried if you are protected by a rail...errrrrr...errr...glass...rops.

It is natural (and a vital survival trait) for there to be significant variation in a biologic population. Natural selection then eliminates the individuals and what would have been their progeny when traits have a lower survival value. Nature selects for the most appropriate attributes. Over time those who "felt funny" about being on the edge of a drop off or similar out reproduced those who fell from high places and were crippled or worse.

Those with tooooo much adverse reaction to heights might be too timid with respect to certain activities and not gather as much food or kill something for dinner.

I definitely get the funny feeling when I quickly approach a large drop off BUT I have done considerable hang gliding, am a private pilot, have hiked in the mountains, climbed radio towers well over 100 ft tall, and such. I have never been incapacitated by my healthy concern for heights but I am never completely comfortable hanging out from a high place tethered by a safety harness when I have to use both hands to do the work.

Last week I helped a friend set a pole and run new power wires. I did all the high work (20+ feet up on an extension ladder) no sweat but brush hogging sideways on a 3:1 pond dam is not really comfortable for me so I usually slow down a bit and pay attention.

Everything I have read and my personal experience supports, tends to indicate that having at least a slight uneasiness about heights has a survival value.

Funny thing, I have known divers who when confronted with a vast drop off underwater were too uncomfortable to swim out over it. You can't fall, especially when adjusted to neutral buoyancy but they just couldn't stand it and had to retreat back to where it was only a hundred feet or so deep.
I think that is a tad excessive, more than the required self protection reaction. The good news was the incipient panic attack was averted and I didn't have an emergency on my hands.

Pat