Being an engineer (of sorts, don稚 tell the boss!) I naturally like numbers and gauges. So I've been thinking about this a lot. I have about 5 minutes of seat time in my tractor, and this spring will be heading out to some freakishly steep places (see attached pic taken when we were having a tree felled. I own what you can see, and more like it!). Since I want to come back with the tractor upright, undented, & underneath me, and since this is the most recent thread on the subject, here are a few of my thoughts vis-a-vis roll-over, tilt meters, etc:
1. We all know tilt meters aren't going to keep one from tipping over. In my inexperience, I've even wondered if glancing at the gauge could keep one from seeing that rock that flips you.
2. Naturally, when it comes to tip-over, the side-to side tilt is the most sensitive. But each tractor has a different critical angle (that could vary depending on the total gradient & orientation of the machine, & certainly varies with load and attachment configuration). So in addition to the gauge, I'd sure like knowing something about my tractor's weight distribution, CG and mass moment of inertia, as well as that of the attachments, just to give me some idea of what it takes. Wonder if NH has that info, and how I could get it!
3. Impulse would also be a factor when you're in a range that's still "safe" - i.e. hitting a rock or log or gopher hole, ditch etc. Reacting to this faster than humans could do - and correctly, I might add - would require the tractor equivalent of an air bag - either rapidly shifting counterweights or "kickstands" of some sort (perhaps with a wheel so the stand doesn't stick and pull you... mind you these are only thoughts...)
4. So a more complete rollover protection is probably impractical or very expensive, requiring electronics, instrumentation like accelerometers, and powerful stuff to shift weight quickly - you get the idea.
5. Thus the idea of a tilt meter as a cheap but reliable indiciator is a mixed bag to which I'm leaning on the positive side, having read the 2001 thread where Rick of R & B pointed out that in addition to safety, it's a really useful tool for grading, etc. Having reviewed his page, I think I'd like a few more ticks on the front-to back scale, as one is supposed to approach slopes in that direction, no? And so naturally grade that way as well? (Inexperience strikes again)
But years have passed since the 2001 thread, so I'm looking for feedback for/against tilt meters from people who use tractors extensively on very non-horizontal land - don't tell me you don't want one because your land is flat as a pool table! As well, do Rick's meters respond better than the Lev-O-Guage? Maybe only Rick knows...here I am throwing his name around like I'm on a first name basis...
By the way, if you look at the pic... I'll still be mowing that grassy area behind the house by hand!
Thanks for reading a lengthy post,
Tom
