Lesson Learned

[tillboy2001]

This may be a 'duh!' issue...but maybe worth mentioning publicly /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I put the new 4120 w/400X loader to use yesterday for the first time. The land is hilly, but mostly sort of rolling hills, not really steep in the area I was working. I was moving a pile of rocks into the old pond we had mostly filled in. I guess I took the slope at just the wrong angle and I felt the tractor tip a little. I quickly turned into the direction it was tipping (downhill of course) and it came back down. I would assume a good thing to do would also be to drop the bucket quickly? Maybe even drop the bucket almost to the ground while stomping on the gas pedal (while turning downhill)? (12x12 tranny with pedal on floor for engine speed). Anyway, seems like doing those things would help in a situation where you find yourself a little tippy. The lesson I learned though was (and I should've known this all along, I guess I was just pushing it a little - so now I know), never go sideway with a heavy load in the bucket and keep the bucket as close to the ground as possible. To top it all off (I know, I was crazy here), I had the ROPS folded down because of the garage clearance and I didn't have my seat belt on. LOL I had visions of a new 4120 on it's side and maybe me underneath it! Oops. I'll use a little more sense next time /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dutch445]

YIKES!
I'm thinking my visions would have included a new pair of boxers!

That's scary.. but, hopefully it won't happen again.

I see weights on the rear wheels, are the tires loaded also? What is on the 3ph? Looks like a tiller. Do you have a ballast box also?

This is a good reminder for anybody with a loader how quickly things can get dicey. Please follow safety guidelines and wear belts, use ROPS, and properly ballast your tractors! Let's not lose any TBN members to an accident.


But, what a pretty tractor and barn!
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tillboy2001]

Tiller has been removed...and there is 440lbs on the rear wheels, tires not filled, no ballast box.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Don't worry about ballast! DO NOT LISTEN TO DUTCH!!
Do name me a benificiary on your tractor. I will give it a good home.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, glad you are OK!

 

[Dutch445]

and you also get the soiled boxers that go with it!
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[dicker]

As one who had never been on a tractor 18 months ago, and now has 500 hrs on one, I can attest to the fact that there definitly is a learning curve. I know that I have scared myself from time to time.
Thankfully, you are around to tell this tale. I find that I seem to learn the most when the " I'll never do that again" situations come about.

Richard

 

[beenthere]

Glad you are okay. Great that you had the right reaction to turn down hill, and at least the thought of dropping the bucket to get the load on the ground.
Thanks for posting. There are those on here that hopefully will have a better understanding now, from your experience.
Sometimes the reaction when tipping like you did (bucket starts to drop because the back wheel raises) is to raise the bucket which is the opposite reaction and will get one in more trouble. Lowering the bucket quickly is the solution, as well as turning down hill to get the front wheels lower. Same as when leaning too far on a two-wheel bike, is one turns in the direction of the lean to get the front wheel under the 'load'.

 

[Dutch445]

Here is what Deere recommends for ballast...
loading the rear tires with Rimgard puts 588 lbs in EACH wheel. Wouldn't be a bad idea even with the wheel weights you have.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( REAR BALLAST REQUIREMENTS
Shown below are minimum rear tractor ballasting requirements for the 400X Loader.
400X Loader - With 4500, 4510, 4600, 4610, 4700, 4710, 4120, 4320, 4520, and 4720Tractors

Tractor Recommended Ballast

4500, 4510, 4600, 4610, 4700, 4710, 4120, 4320, 4520, 4720

Rear tires with liquid ballast, 4 wheel weights, and 500 kg. (1102 lb.) 3-point hitch ballast
)</font>

and yes, they mean all 3!

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tillboy2001]

That's a lot of weight! I think this is one of those situations where >>> I'll be ok, as long as I don't try anything stupid! I don't think we can justify that much weight with the occasional heavy loads we'll be moving. I could see maybe adding a ballast box, but we don't want anyting in the wheels.

 

[bebster]

I'm often tempted to skip the seat belt. Thanks for the lesson -- I'll be less tempted. Actually if you're going to have the ROPS down better to not have your seatbelt on -- you might get thrown clear that way and have a small chance of survival. Of course best to have ROPS up and seat belt on!