Tilt meter question

Typhoon · Oct 6, 2005

This I am sure is a really stupid question, but I was thinking about this today, and want to get some input. I want to get a tilt meter for the extra safety. When I mow my pond levee and such, I would like to know what kind of angle I am mowing. So here is the question... How can a tilt meter be of any use, if every tractor/impliment combination will have a different center of gravity? Example, my TC29D seems to have a rather high center of gravity compared to the tractors that the city workers use to mow the big banks by the highway. Their tractors sit very low and wide, and look like it would be almost impossible to turn one over. So being that every tractor probably has a different center of gravity, then how could the tilt meter actually be useful? The only way I know that it could be helpful is if you knew exactly at what angle your tractor started to overturn. I really like the idea of a tilt meter. I just want to know how to use it properly.
Thanks!!

odleefs · Oct 6, 2005

Typhoon,
Your question and reasoning are not at all stupid and quite sound. As you mentioned, the investment in a tiltmeter seems silly, when you really want a "roll-o-meter" that is specific for your tractor/implement/property conditions combination. But who is going to volunteer their tractor for the demo? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
A better use of your time and monies would be to always practice safe tractoring habits and if you still do not feel comfortable/safe, possibly to modify your tractor to make your tractor safer for your needs. Some modifications are simple and ubiquitous (loading one's tires) while others are more complex (double wheel tractor axles) and thus less frequently utilized.
Remember to always follow your instinct and if your gut says not to do it, heed this warning! Don't talk yourself into doing something that you know you shouldn't.
Good Luck and be Safe,
Steve

Bird · Oct 7, 2005

It's not a stupid question at all. There are some machines made specifically to work on steeper slopes and some machines can be made to handle steeper than normal slopes by widening the stance, adding dual wheels on the rear, etc. So, of course, I don't know exactly how steep a slope your tractor can handle, but I've read that most tractors should survive a 20 degree slope. But remember that's with no implements or additions to the basic tractor, and naturally, if you're at 20 degrees on a smooth surface and a low side wheel goes into any little depression in the soil, or a high side wheel goes over a rock, stick, or something else, the angle changes very quickly. I've posted before that I had tiltmeters on my Kubota B2710, both for side to side and for front to rear. I parked sideways on an 18 degree slope, got off and tried to see whether I could push the tractor by hand enough to lift the high side wheels off the ground. I did not. However, the fear factor made 15 degrees my own personal limit. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif A tiltmeter won't keep you from turning over, just like a fuel gauge won't keep you from running out of fuel, but for me personally, it was nice information to have. Of course you want to remember when talking about slopes that there's a difference in "degrees" and "percentage" of slope. Rick at R&B Mfg. is very knowledgeable and will gladly answer any questions you have.

BB_TX · Oct 7, 2005

I put a tilt meter on mine a couple years ago. I don't really use it in an attempt to prevent a rollover. I use my pucker factor for that. I use it more as a reference as to what kind of slope I am on. Like Bird, 15 degrees is pushing my limit and the tilt meter just confirmed that. There is one very short stretch of my ditch that I mow where I get about 20 degrees. I go very slow with the FEL low. Even at 20, the tractor doesn't feel particularly tippy, but I will not go any more than that. I could go up and down on that one part, but as long as I feel OK with it, I go across it.

Farmwithjunk · Oct 7, 2005

I never put much stock in them. The only way I'd know what angle was "too much" would be to actually roll the tractor. I would like to have one to play around with sometime though, just to see what angles a few of the hillsides on the farm are throwing at me. One seems STEEP. It isn't. It's around 12* according to my son. It covers an entire field of approx. 10 acres. It's 750 feet from one side to the other. At the "top", it seems far steeper than the bottom, just because of the view! There's another hill, actually part of a pond dam that's easily 20* or more. It's only 30 feet from top to bottom. Seems relitively mild compared to the big hill, but it would turn over a couple of my tractors if I was to "side-hill" across it.

TCBoomer · Oct 7, 2005

IMO, the advantage of using a tiltmeter is being able to know what the slope angle is when crossing unfamilar terrain. Once you learn what slope angle your machine can safely cross, the meter will just be a suppliment to your pucker factor. Don't rely on it soley, just use it as another tool to do the job safely.

FWIW...I mowed my 25* slope(vertical and horizontal) with a TC21D and a 914 MMM for 5 yrs and never had any issues. I now have a TC24DA and while it has taller tires, it is stable. But keep in mind this...mowing any slope over 20* IS NOT for the weak and timid. In addition, I would not mow anything over 15* with a rear mower. It seems to want to drag the back of the tractor downhill and you have to keep correcting with your steering.

Typhoon · Oct 7, 2005

Thank you for all of the input. I think I am going to invest in one, just to supplement the "seat of the pants" feel. Also, its funny how quickly terrain can fool you when you are in a hilly area and you think you are level but in fact you arent.

jgh · Oct 10, 2005

20051010

I would 2nd what Bird says about the fear factor, though he also makes a good point about holes, etc. You can feel fine at a 15º slope and hit a hole that swings you over. I know that from experience! Last fall! In my tractor! I think it was a **** groundhog hole!

On the other hand I was trucking down to the riverfront part of our land with an experienced (farms thousands of acres) farmer the other day and asked at a point that has always made me nervous in my truck, not to mention my tractor, if he would run his tractor (JD 6420, pretty big but not dualed) over such an area. He looked at me curiously and said sure, no problem, as if I was sissy of the world.

Back to that pucker factor... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Jim