ROLL OVER ANGLES

[Graeme410]

Hi All;
my first post on this site.
Have been driving Fordson Major (1954) on very steep country doing some clearing (stick rake blade) and have been in a few sticky situations.

Have just purchased a JD 5720 4WD with loader and bucket and am very conscious of its high centre of gravity.

Have moved the rear wheels out to there maximum width and filled them 3/4 full with water.
Next step is 3 point linkage ballast weight(probably build steel box and fill with concrete).

I will replace the bucket with modified rack blade (quick hitch) off the Fordson.

Was thinking about fitting a 'Angle/Inclination Meter'.

Could anyone advise me where I might find some Roll Over Figures that might assist me in parallel with the 'Spincter Meter'.

Regards;

Graeme

 

[whistlepig]

A loader empty, depending how it is mounted, can raise the center of gravity. The loader high will raise the center of gravity. A ballast box raised high can raise the center of gravity. If you can program all of these factors in to your Inclinometer and feel safe. If it feels unsafe than it probably is unsafe.

 

[CalG]

Static roll over can be "eye balled" with a string. Pick a point a bit above midway up the transmission housing and stretch the line to the rear tire contact point.

That "angle" is what would be required to tip the tractor without influence from a loader or any motion.
The reality is that motion and attached implements like a loader conspire to make a "Roll over figure" a guess at best.

Read up on the data, apply best practices. Use a seat belt and a ROPS.

PS. I have and use my Major on VERY hilly ground. Scares me at times, but common sense prevails. In fact I'm pulling a stump with the old gal tomorrow! ;-)

 

[Graeme410]

Thankyou for you replies Calg and Whistlepig.
Given some mathmatics applied to wheel widths and Centre of Gravity height would allow you to calculate a theoretical angle. Would need to subtract a few degrees for a safety margin. I have not found any published data for tractors.

I have discovered my 5720 is fitted with Tubeless Rear Tyres. If you reduce tyre pressures to gain extra traction, do you run the risk of rolling the tyre off the rim or breaking the tyre from the rim bead and loosing type pressure with deadly results.
PS Whistlepig- Have fitted power steering(From UK) to Fordson. Made an amazing difference to use with a heavy blade.

 

[Tx Jim]

Here's you a meter.

 

[Xfaxman]

This is what 27 degrees looks like. The chain hanging from the work light shows 90 degrees.


The Toolcat has a low center of gravity.

 

[CalG]

Thankyou for you replies Calg and Whistlepig.
Given some mathmatics applied to wheel widths and Centre of Gravity height would allow you to calculate a theoretical angle. Would need to subtract a few degrees for a safety margin. I have not found any published data for tractors.

I have discovered my 5720 is fitted with Tubeless Rear Tyres. If you reduce tyre pressures to gain extra traction, do you run the risk of rolling the tyre off the rim or breaking the tyre from the rim bead and loosing type pressure with deadly results.
PS Whistlepig- Have fitted power steering(From UK) to Fordson. Made an amazing difference to use with a heavy blade.

"published" CoG data by make and model? I've never seen such. Too many variable I would say.

Rolling a tire off the rim? I've pull a front off in the woods using the steering brakes, but never had a rear break away. There is not much traction to be gained by reducing tire pressure anyway. Fill the tires with cloride instead. Use common sense.

 

[Graeme410]

"published" CoG data by make and model? I've never seen such. Too many variable I would say.

Rolling a tire off the rim? I've pull a front off in the woods using the steering brakes, but never had a rear break away. There is not much traction to be gained by reducing tire pressure anyway. Fill the tires with cloride instead. Use common sense.

Spoke to one of our Ag Safety Organisations today and they came up with the same Angle Calc method that you mentioned.
They also advised tractor manufacturers do not supply roll over figs due to the no of variables present.

Left a message with JD Australia re 5720 safety. Getting a call back tomorrow??

Thanks again and also to Tx Jim for the Inclination Meter.

Graeme

 

[Graeme410]

Chap from JD returned my phone call re Roll Over Angles.
He intially thought he had some data on Roll Over Angles but could not locate any.

Looks like I may have to do some 'testing' myself to establish a rough indication.
Would be interesting to compare to 'Calg's angle calcs.

I will build a Ballast Assembly (Railway lines etc) before I get too serious on the steep stuff.

Thanks All

 

[whistlepig]

Back up on the steep stuff. Tiny steps. When a tractor looses traction and slides down a hill sometimes it gets to the bottom of the hill front first. And some time it doesn't. The transition from forwards to backwards while sliding down a hill is extremely unpleasant. Sideways on a hill is the most fatal of all experiments that could fail. I have never flipped a tractor. But it wasn't because I didn't try. Much better off without that experience.