Rollover Estimations

ToolManRick · Jun 5, 2004

Hello folks. I'll be getting my new Jinma 204 next Tuesday. Yea! I'm pretty familar with my land and have some slopes that are 20 degree inclines. I have no need to travel those areas sideways, but was wondering if there is a basic number out there for the 204 model that states something like "Do not go crosswise on inclines in excess of ?? degrees." I realize many things can effect the center of gravity, but am just curious about the basic model configuration. I avoid the pucker-factor using my lawn tractor and I'm pretty sure it's CoG is lower than the soon-to-arrive Jinma. Just curious. Thanks guys. --Rick

Bob_Skurka · Jun 5, 2004

I don't have any specific numbers, but a true 20 degree slope is fairly steep. The small Jimna tractors are tall and narrow and the center of gravity it going to be a lot higher than on your lawn tractor. WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. Drive slow. And learn your land before crossing any slope.

A tractor can go UP & DOWN a very steep slope but you can roll over a tractor on flat ground if you are using ground engaging equipment and hit a bump, rut or try to turn when the implement attached to your 3pt hitch is not willing to let you. I almost laid my B2910 over on its side last year while on flat asphault while I was using my loader. The load of cobblestones shifted in the bucket while I was reversing out of the pile and turning the tractor; at the same time I was raising the bucket to clear my mailbox and the next thing I knew the left wheels were off the ground. I slammed the bucked down and spun the steering wheel (and missed the mailbox) and ended up on 4 tires again. Slopes are NOT your only tipping hazard. If you are getting a FEL make sure you have plenty of weight on the rear end, or you have loaded tires, or both. When on the slopes, keep your implements LOW to the ground.

Jinmas are nice basic workhorses, their tall narrow stance is not too different than the something like a NH TC21 which is about the same size. I think you will enjoy your machine, but just don't think that slopes are the only place you can roll over.

Harrygoodwrench · Jun 5, 2004

Welcome there ToolmanRick,
I don't think there is any number given by manufacturers period, due to liability. Like Bob said there are other factors. Bill M over on CTOA (we both have Jinma 224's)put one of those Tilt-O-meters( he got on E bay for like 10 bucks)on the dash. I'm going to invest in one too. Well a general max safe number I've been told is 15 degrees. Try one of those tilt meters and test as Bill did. He put tractor on a hill about 15 degrees and got off and put as much pressure on it physically(pushing on roll bar,etc) to flip it over. He couldn't budge it period. He feels safe and its a logical test but others factors can play in such as rocks, woodchuck holes,sink holes, etc. I personally feel better going up or down due to my Chicken S%#& attitude of flipping. Then again I have never flipped one and hope to never experience it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've included a pic of the tilt gauge.
Regards, Harry G

Harrygoodwrench · Jun 5, 2004

I tried to add attachment but it didn't work. Lets try this again.

ToolManRick · Jun 6, 2004

Thanks for the replies and good advice guys.

Your story Bob reminds me of what the guy told me that did the original grading of my property. Some of it is very steep and he was raking the slopes sideways with an older Ford (don't recall the model). Anyhow, I asked him how he could tell when things were getting dangerous. He said he watched the depth of the impression of the front tire on the high side. If it got very light it was time to turn downhill. Guess that would be a good indicator if your working on fresh ground. I too am going to put a tilt indicator on mine. Can't hurt.

Scott_Stokke · Jun 6, 2004

The reason there isn't an exact number is that it's more dynamic than static, as Bob Skurka pointed out.

I think that the best way to prevent a rollover is to become the best operator that you can be and never assume that any task performed with a tractor is so routine that we don't have to think about it. Situational awareness might be another way to describe it.

JimR · Jun 6, 2004

I've done it only once in 20+ years. It was my own fault too. I was using my old Ford 8N with the backhoe on it all day moving dirt in the FEL. This machine had a tendency for the backhoe to swing back and forth and pump the fluid out of the one way swing cylinders. One day I was cruising around the back of my sloped yard with a bucket of dirt. The backhoe flung around from the left side to the right side and over we went. I might have been able to prevent it had the FEL been down low You'll know when you are going for a ride, trust me. The first sign is a back wheel coming off the ground. After that, it is all history. You then have two choices. One is to ride it out. The other is to bail out and to know when to do it. I bailed and took the chance. The only damage to me was my pride when the wife came out and said "What the hell are you doing" It only takes a few seconds to go over and it is like slow motion. At least it was for me. I had time to drop the bucket. But it was too late and to no avail. I was going over and there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it. Getting the tractor back over was pretty easy also. I used a floor jack and lots of boards. I just kept jacking and blocking as I went. The machine will get to a point when you can pull it over the rest of the way with a chain and your truck. I found thay you should try and find your limits and know them with your machine.

Chechnya · Jun 6, 2004

Never ever jump out of a tractor that is rolling over. Just sit inside with the seatbelt attached and move your body opposite of the landing side.

MarkStewart · Jun 6, 2004

If the tractor is not equipped with a ROPS I think it would be a very good idea to jump for it.

JimR · Jun 6, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Never ever jump out of a tractor that is rolling over. Just sit inside with the seatbelt attached and move your body opposite of the landing side. )</font>
My old Ford 8N didn't have a ROPS or a seat belt. It couldn't do any more than fall on its side because of the backhoe. I bailed rather than get slammed into the loader arms or the ground. I bailed when the tractor was almost all the way over on its side. I had both feet on the seat and my hands on the wheel and sprung like a cat out of hell.