Tip-over control

[Gem99ultra]

Maybe it's just me - I don't know. But it seems like my new L3400 doesn't feel secure at all on mild slopes. I have a FEL and BB on it, with R4 tires (filled rear tires), but to me, it just doesn't feel solid.

Is there anything else I need to do, other than just used to it, to make if feel more secure?


Thanks.

ps yeah - I know... think training wheels

 

[Charlton John]

I beleive you can get wheel spacers put on the back that will widen your stance about 3-4 inches, sounds like a small amount but many say it makes a world of differnce, also you most likely know this but travel up and down and not sideways.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Excellent idea! I'll check on the spacers today. Maybe I'm running too much air pressure in the tires too? They're air to sidewall spec, but that might not be ideal.

yep - I'm hip on running up & down, but sometimes I have to turn around on a slope. You'd laugh if you saw me creeping around at 1/10th mph in 4wd

 

[Charlton John]

Yes I am in the same boat, I have a 2620 so a little lighter than yours but a little better lower center of gravity. I have a section of my property that is also mildly sloped and it flatens out at the bottom. I try to get there before turning around but if I cant I turn slowly and pucker up

I too will most likely get the wheel spacers for this purpose also not sure where your located but the spacers are also needed to put chains on your tires if you are using for snow removal, good luck.

 

[TripleR]

It may not be possible on these, but when I was growing up on the farm, we just swapped sides with the rear wheels for a wider or narrower track; otherwise spacers. I added offset wheels on my Rhino and Grizzly adding 4" and that really helped the stability.

 

[Ace3]

I added wheel spacers to the rear of my B3030. I did it mainly to gain clearance for chains but the added benefit is that it also improved the stability of the machine on slopes. Since this question keeps coming up on TBN, I can't understand why Kubota hasn't widened the stance of their tractors. I would also recommend that you load the rear tires both for added weight and stability.

 

[Charlesaf3]

you might get an incline gauge, as discussed often here (R&B). Tractors have a high center of gravity and no suspension, and just don't like being sideways on a slope. 15 degrees is considered max. 10 degrees is as far as I'll go on the little one, the big tractors wider stance and more weight seem to take a lot more.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Thanks for the reply.

It appears (according to my dealer) that Kubota did modify the tire rims to accomodate tire chains, and thus, discontinued selling wheel spacers; at least for the L2800/L3400 series.

I do have the rears filled. Dealer's suggestion was to 'give it more time; I'll get used to it'. He may be right, but in the meatime, I think I'll keep looking for a set of spacers anyway.

I am wondering though, if spacers would put an udue load on the outer wheel bearings? Any thoughts on that?

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the reply.

It appears (according to my dealer) that Kubota did modify the tire rims to accomodate tire chains, and thus, discontinued selling wheel spacers; at least for the L2800/L3400 series.

I do have the rears filled. Dealer's suggestion was to 'give it more time; I'll get used to it'. He may be right, but in the meatime, I think I'll keep looking for a set of spacers anyway.

I am wondering though, if spacers would put an udue load on the outer wheel bearings? Any thoughts on that?

Probably not as much as rolling down a hillside...

I mow some pretty steep stuff with my Case and have for years and it still makes me pucker up even though I "know" it didn't tip over the last time.

 

[teg]

You don't want to let air out of the front tires, mine get more tippy as the front tire's pressure decreases... I have swapped my front tires to get a little more spread. This does put more pressure on the front axle but I got tired of almost rolling several times. It also puts the air valve to the inside... (neither good or bad - just inconvenient for filling air). I looked into wheel spacer (when they did sell them) $200 for 1.5 inches x2 (3" total). Thought it was too pricey... anyway, I feel more stable now - FWIW.