Ballast Roll over

[TheMan419]

So this happened. I rolled the tractor on its side yesterday. Moving manure. Turned left w bucket full and up. Right tire went up on manure pile. I had no counter weight on back. I know better.

I stepped off tractor as it was rolling. The canopy made that more difficult and it hit me in the back.

Tow truck came out and put the tractor back on its wheels. It is now sitting in the barn. Mechanic should be here on Monday to look it over. It has NOT been restarted (or even attempted to).

Went to Er to get checked out. ER doc has worked on a farm and seen tractors roll over on people. Complete CT of my spine. All is good. Lower back and ego bruised today.

Remember be safe. I was too lazy to pick up the tiller as ballast. That will not happen again.

How do I add pictures to this from my iPhone?

 

[fruitcakesa]

You are a lucky man, glad you got out safely.
Hope the tractor fares as well.

 

[ededic]

Glad you’re ok.

 

[lman]

I've come close a few times and stopped anything bad from happening by dropping the load. Whenever I have a full load, I keep my hand on the stick and prepare to drop the load if necessary.

 

[two_bit_score]

Glad you were not hurt! Glad the tractor seems fine, hope it actually is fine too.

One question: Do you think it would have been better or worse if you had been wearing a seat belt?

Is this one of the times jumping off was the best option?



TBS

 

[TheMan419]

Glad you were not hurt! Glad the tractor seems fine, hope it actually is fine too.

One question: Do you think it would have been better or worse if you had been wearing a seat belt?

Is this one of the times jumping off was the best option?



TBS

It could not have been better with a seatbelt. I escaped virtually unharmed. Not sure what would have happened with one. I hope to never test it out.....

 

[ovrszd]

Glad you weren't hurt!!!

I've been very Blessed to have not rolled my tractors. I am on steep terrain often. As Iman mentioned, I always have my hand on the loader joystick and have had to drop the loader several times to balance the tractor.

It's also very, very rare that I don't have ballast on the 3pt. Usually a heavy BB which I can also use to pile up the material I am moving or smooth the work area as I go. Makes me more inclined to carry it since it's also a tool.

 

[LouNY]

If she looks OK from a slow walk around I would raise the hood and check out where the battery sits to see if any battery fluid got spilled and flush that area well.
When your mechanic gets there I would be very tempted to have him roll the engine a full 2 turns using the front pulley or fan.
If any oil got trapped on top of a piston even just cranking it over with the starter can cause damage.
Good luck with her.

 

[TheMan419]

If she looks OK from a slow walk around I would raise the hood and check out where the battery sits to see if any battery fluid got spilled and flush that area well.
When your mechanic gets there I would be very tempted to have him roll the engine a full 2 turns using the front pulley or fan.
If any oil got trapped on top of a piston even just cranking it over with the starter can cause damage.
Good luck with her.

Yeah as soon as I told him it rolled he had a whole procedure he is going through including a hand crank. I do not remember all of it but this is not his first rodeo dealing with this issue it sounded like.

 

[shooterdon]

You are lucky. I have a cab tractor, so jumping off is not an option. But I try to be careful and always have counterweight on the back. It looks strange to have the snowblower mounted when moving totes of wood in the early fall, but it weighs over 900lbs and does the job.

Glad you are good and hope the tractor is ok

 

[TheMan419]

You are lucky. I have a cab tractor, so jumping off is not an option. But I try to be careful and always have counterweight on the back. It looks strange to have the snowblower mounted when moving totes of wood in the early fall, but it weighs over 900lbs and does the job.

Glad you are good and hope the tractor is ok

Always wear your seatbelt then!

It looks odd to plow snow and have the tiller hooked up. It weighs in at 600 pounds. So it gets the job done as ballast.

Hopefully ole blue is fine. Won稚 know until tomorrow earliest.

 

[ovrszd]

Did your front tire drive up on the pile or the rear?

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Glad you're ok.

Scary stuff.

 

[Peter 315]

Low and Slow your lucky that the canopy didn't smash your head......

 

[ovrszd]

Low and Slow your lucky that the canopy didn't smash your head......

Or knock him down and pin him to the ground. Depending on how strong the canopy is....

 

[dougtrr2]

Glad you are okay. Good that you have the good sense and patience to wait for the tractor to be fully checked out before trying anything. It sounds like your mechanic is on top of things. Too many cases where after a rollover people are in too big of a hurry and cause further damage.

Doug in SW IA

 

[jimglassford]

I know seat belts are a pain in the butt and you do not think you need one at these low speeds. They make it difficult to turn around in the seat to see behind. However, there have been a lot of studies on tractor roll overs and I believe that is the number one fatality on a farm. Many states offered a financial incentive to retrofit the combination on older tractors. ROPS or EROPS are required on all new tractors along with seat belts. Even with a EROPS (Cab), chances are good you will be ejected. The ROPS are worthless without the seat belt.

As for a diesel tractor, after a roll over, there is little that can be harmed from a mechanical stand point so it will start right up. Cosmetics is another issue.

 

[Peter 315]

I know seat belts are a pain in the butt and you do not think you need one at these low speeds. They make it difficult to turn around in the seat to see behind. However, there have been a lot of studies on tractor roll overs and I believe that is the number one fatality on a farm. Many states offered a financial incentive to retrofit the combination on older tractors. ROPS or EROPS are required on all new tractors along with seat belts. Even with a EROPS (Cab), chances are good you will be ejected. The ROPS are worthless without the seat belt.

As for a diesel tractor, after a roll over, there is little that can be harmed from a mechanical stand point so it will start right up. Cosmetics is another issue.

If the oil gets on top of the piston it will bend a rod when it starts or the engine will lock and not turn over.....

 

[k0ua]

I am glad you are unhurt and hope your tractor is "unhurt" too.

And bless you for having the guts to come on here and tell it like it was and admit your mistakes in front of all of us. It helps new guys to understand what you did and did not do. And it reminds us old hands to not become complacent in our own operation. We all know not to move with the bucket loaded up high, we all know when one of our tires goes up on the pile that can start a roll over sequence, we all know to have proper ballast on the back and what can happen when we do not. But new tractor owners often do not know any of these things. You have helped bring these things to light again. Thank you.

 

[two_bit_score]

This bears repeating! Can't say it too much. :thumbsup:

I am glad you are unhurt and hope your tractor is "unhurt" too.

And bless you for having the guts to come on here and tell it like it was and admit your mistakes in front of all of us. It helps new guys to understand what you did and did not do. And it reminds us old hands to not become complacent in our own operation. We all know not to move with the bucket loaded up high, we all know when one of our tires goes up on the pile that can start a roll over sequence, we all know to have proper ballast on the back and what can happen when we do not. But new tractor owners often do not know any of these things. You have helped bring these things to light again. Thank you.

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