Terrified of tipping - how about an inclinometer?

[DonaldP]

Once you become in tune with your equipment, you are going to know when it gets tire light. Keep the clutch covered.

once the rear tire lifts it will loose traction and the machine will tilt until it reaches the stop block on the front end or the bucket touches down.

probably a job for tracked skid steer with low center of gravity.

I had to hook my truck to my ROP yesterday at a 90 degree angle to my travel path to get my 5105 out of the pond. Sometimes you don’t get second chances though. Be familiar with your controls essential .

My 2 cents: the gauge is nifty, but not reliable. Reliability of the gauge changes based upon height of loader and implements.
I suggest increasing width of rear tire spread and filling tires/wheel weight. Tire/wheel weight should lower your center of gravity increasing stability. Wider rear tread depth should also increase your stability.
Of course a front tire dropping into a low spot (hole or ditch) can still cause issues. Thus a good standard operating practice is to keep your loader and implements as close to the ground as is reasonable and to minimize travel across a slope when possible, traveling up and down sloes is safest.
If you experience a pucker factor moment, stop immediately! Always have your head in the game for what you are doing!

I agree about your comment of “not reliable” on these guages.

I also understand that if I can create a max angle that I would visit, and in that angle I include a good bit of safety for unknown obstacles of whatever % of safety I’m willing to accept, then I would no longer have a fear of running the tractor at a generally accepted angle that is say 95% safe for most all conditions over continually pushing the line to 60 or 70% safe … which is a scary proposition.

That safety factor will no doubt change the way you work, and will have some impact on the work you may take on for yourself, or work for others.

I like plenty of safety factor as I’m a newbie here… I need that.

A more experienced operator with much more than my 400 hours may have a differing opinion based on their abilities and experience.

It’s all good!

 

[Flad]

Inclinometers actually work, I can attest to that In a rollover, I was a passenger hanging upside down held firmly by the seat belts , the inclinometer read the position accurately, these things can not be relied on to save tipping over, they are used in aircraft and most useful in poor visibility they tell you if you are flying the right side up and wings level.
if in doubt don't go there, you can have all the fancy doo dad accessories but none of these have a brain, seriously get in to the habit of using your seat belt correctly and make sure all the fastenings are in good condition on the ROP and the seat you are sitting on.

 

[ding beep]

if you've managed to end up in a situation where you think this might be of some use, you need to be looking at what's going on, not a gauge, even for a second. I rolled my dads MF-135 as a teenager when I dropped a down hill rear tire in an old well that was covered with brush. Tractor and mower were on it's side in less than a second. My only saving grace is that he had put a ROPS and seat belt on it a year or two before

When ROPS and seat belt are employed, much of the real danger is eliminated, but serious accidents are always possible, even for us guys.
A great incline-o-meter, if you have a cup holder, is to not spill the moonshine out of your mason jar.

 

[Martin Roper]

Alright, I admit it! I'm a crybaby when it comes to running any of my tractors on an incline. I'm terrified of tipping the machine on its side (or worse!). I know, fear is a good thing, but I get the heeby-jeebies whenever one of the rear wheels goes over a rock and the machine lifts up just a little on one side. On the 4600, if there's a little incline I'll often put down the stabilizers so if it does begin to tip, it will have something to rest on before it goes all the way over. Also, I'll turn the backoe over to the high side to add counter weight. Tires can be loaded, wheels weights added, and the wheels set for a wider track. All these things can, and should be done. But what about a way to measure how much the machine is leaning?

I find it odd that I have never seen any references to putting an inclinometer on the tractor dash. Has anybody done this? What about something like this? Amazon.com: Sun Company 201-F Lev-o-gage Inclinometer | USA-Made Level for Off-Road Vehicle, Jeep, Truck, RV, Camper, Trailer, or Boat: Industrial & Scientific

(I have no interest or involvement with promoting a product. I'm just asking.)

When you feel uncomfortable, that is the time to take stock, not when a meter tells you to. As you get more used to using the kit you will become amazed what it is capable of doing in the right hands but until then there is no shame in staying within your comfort zone. When you are nervous mistakes are made.

 

[puzlrock]

I agree with PILOON, I have run equipment all my life. Observation of terrain and the bubble in my sitter is what I count on. I would not trust a gauge, to many variables. If it starts feeling to steep it is probably time to back off. Over time an experience your bubble will get better.

 

[k0ua]

I think the use inclinometer would be better used to find when you might be safe (sometimes). Some questions come to mind. Have you been using your tractor on the slope a long time, or just occasionally, was that the only time. I ask this because what you are feeling is what we all feel until we experience the way our tractor reacts to different situations. Do I know exactly when my tractor will overturn. No. Do I know when enough is enough. Yes. It feels light to me. There is a danger in using a inclinometer if you assume there is a actual safe point of recovery. The worse thing that could happen is if using an inclinometer made you feel secure when you are not. As you know, many things can happen to change the status of this in only a second. Hole, wet grass or leaves, flat tire, rock, etc.
I would like having one and may add one. But that feeling we get that we are at risk is really a safety measure for all of us. I am in the Ozarks. There is not a flat place ANYWHERE on my property. I have operated my tractor safely 4 years. Do I get that feeling ----every damn time I roll over a rock I did not see going faster that I should. Interesting subject. Just don't let it make you feel safe when you are not. That feeling is not a bad thing. In retrospect, it may have already saved many of us from our own actions. Best wishes, Larry

Hello neighbor. I too live near Branson. I have Several places of flat ground on my property. And I have had to BUY each and every one of them by having the appropriate rock hauled in and spent the money in diesel fuel and time to make a little bit of flat space. It has all come at great cost, and yes constant vigilance is required to prevent roll over around here. Probably the most important thing is just never raise your front end loader and attempt any fast moves. And even then, constant vigilance in watching for rocks and holes is required. Like others have said, I think the inclinometer would be a distraction from watching terrain.

 

[blacktruck]

When ROPS and seat belt are employed, much of the real danger is eliminated, but serious accidents are always possible, even for us guys.
A great incline-o-meter, if you have a cup holder, is to not spill the moonshine out of your mason jar.

Well said even if a little jest. A gage is an okay addition but not a substitute for the seat of the pants feeling you get when operating in sketchy situations. As said many times above, the gage won't take into account mounted implements or conditions surrounding your tractor. An accident can happen in a instant and a gage will not give you enough time to react to avert an accident. The feeling of uneasiness when crossing side slopes should be your guide. Roll into the slope slowly and see how it feels. Uncomfortable, back out slowly in a downhill direction and live to operate your tractor on another day. No shame in that.

 

[marhar]

I'm sorry, but if you've managed to end up in a situation where you think this might be of some use, you need to be looking at what's going on, not a gauge, even for a second. I rolled my dads MF-135 as a teenager when I dropped a down hill rear tire in an old well that was covered with brush. Tractor and mower were on it's side in less than a second. My only saving grace is that he had put a ROPS and seat belt on it a year or two before

I'm sorry, but if you've managed to end up in a situation where you think this might be of some use, you need to be looking at what's going on, not a gauge, even for a second. I rolled my dads MF-135 as a teenager when I dropped a down hill rear tire in an old well that was covered with brush. Tractor and mower were on it's side in less than a second. My only saving grace is that he had put a ROPS and seat belt on it a year or two before

Hello Joe,

I agree with you. If one has any doubt, do not do it. Regardless of the gauge reading.

Dan, The is nothing wrong with "I get the heeby-jeebies whenever one of the rear wheels goes over a rock and the machine lifts up just a little on one side". I would rather be worried than be dead.

When bush hogging I have always tied to go up and down the incline rather than back and forth. I know plowing is different.

 

[bcp]

These guys must have faulty seats in their pants.

Bruce

 

[ljjhouser]

There might be a good deal on a used tractor. Runs on the side as well and the wheels. Ha.