Tipping a Kubota

[W5FL]

Stephen,

I suspect that only about 1 in 10 compact tractors have been set up properly to fully utilize the loader. Most normally require a considerable amount of ballast on the tractor and it seems that only those that use their tractor commercially or do serious work with it take the time to obtain the required stability. More people here will have their tractors set up correctly, but this group does not represent a fair crossection of users. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gordon]

I started running a tractor in second grade a farmall cub with a tow behind sickle bar that was not fun the blade would load up because I would try to cut to fast. I beleive it was third or fourth grade when dad taught me how to run the case backhoe for me that was fun.
When I first started running the cub up and down the driveway I only knew how to let out the clutch and go I didn't know where reverse was. There was a loop at one end of the drive and I took it alittle wide and had to stop to avoid missing a tree. I put the tractor in neutral I did know where that was shut it down and put it back in gear, walked back to the house got my brother to turn the tractor around boy did it take a long time to live that one down. Dad made me practice going from reverse to first and back again untill I got the hang of it then came the mower.
Dad also did septic systems and water lines on the side bet you guys will never guess who his hired help was. If you could call my brother and me hired--more like slave labor.
Next came the backhoe I can still remember dad yelling your digging crooked straighten up and fly right. Sometimes I take for granted alot of things I learned at an early age compared to the other kids but I will say this I had alot of responsability for my age and I believe this helped me to mature faster. Now I just wish I hadn't goofed off in school and payed attention in classed like english and such instead of chasing girls. Live and learn
Gordon

 

[gordon]

I had a good reality check a few weeks ago I was grading a lot only had a few more licks with the box to be pretty close to done. You know the little voice inside your head that says dont come in on that angle--well I didn't listen and two of the tractor tires sunk into one of the leech field lines I thought I was going over. I was dropping the frontend loader and the box slamming into neutral with the shuttle shift never realized I had three hands. I don't have one of those fancy tilt gauges and I'm glad I didn't have one that day, some things are better left unknown. I did work the tractor back out and nothing was harmed except my ego and a bunch of my grade work---never rush it will always take longer./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Now Delaware has a new law that just came into effect the drain fields must be marked at four corners to keep compaction down. I sure do wish this one had been marked but live and learn. Did I know better YES it was a dumb mistake that was totally uncalled for the good thing was noone got hurt.
Gordon

 

[Dick]

I disagree wen. Most of the folks on this forum are not ag types rather suburban Compact owners who just moved up from a lawn tractor. They are getting their experience from folks who have been using this type of machinery for 20 plus years over the internet.

 

[Von]

I did not grow up on a farm, but did start working in the family owned basket factory at the age of ten. We would unload frieght trains and would use one of the tractors to pull the train cars to the right door to unload. My brothers and I would have to put a chain around the handle of the car door and use that tractor to open it up. We got paid well for kids but I think we did some things that were dumb that an adult might not have done. My grandfather started working there when he was 8 and we were starting late in his eyes. He would tell us what he wanted done and then leave. It was up to us to figure out and get it done. It did instill good work ethics which I don't see in a lot of kids today. For example I can't find any kids that want to cut the grass at my shop for over $5.00 an hour with my mower and gas. This is a little job that will take about 1 1/2 hours a week and none of the kids that hang out at the bike shop next door are willing to work. I guess Their Mom + Dad's give them anything they want so no need to work. There is nothing wrong with a child working (unless you are talking to my kids) as long as it is safe and supervised.
Von

 

[jdkid]

i'll go with wen on the setting up of tractors the one i own and drive full time started life out at around 11000Lb it would now tip the scales at 16000-18000lb with duels water all round and 1800lb of cast up front (you can add the loader too if you want to).yep i've slid down steep hills ,lifted the back end of the ground ,even had both wheels on one side off the ground,been pulled backwards off hills by big rollers was any of it smart?NO they all happened fast and yes it shocked me at the speed it happens after driving for years you get a "gut feel"to where you can and can't go ,what you can and can't lift it all takes time but it only takes a second of not watching what you are doing to take that time away from you .have fun and work hard BUT take care
JD Kid

 

[W5FL]

Dick,

>More people here will have their tractors set up correctly, but this group does not represent a fair crossection of users.

My point was that most compact tractors are not set up properly for full capacity loader use. Sure hope that those that understand what is required to safely use a loader will take the time to consider ballast and center of gravity issues that cause people to get into trouble with their loaders.

Yes, the group seems to range from lawn tractors to ag tractors. Only Muhammad knows for sure what the numbers are.

I never got to drive an Oliver, so I am one of the young upstarts. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I suspect the ratio is pretty high of surburban compact owners to ag owners. Probably over 20:1. The interest seems to be 285 posts in topic RURAL and 1085 posts in KUBOTA OWNING. I am sure the lurker numbers are much higher. This 4:1 ratio seems to reflect quite a bit of interest in some of the rural and ag subjects although on a smaller scale or 2 - 10 acres. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MChalkley]

I think that one respect in which participants (and lurkers) on this forum differ from "the norm" is that they're more interested in knowing the "right" way(s) to do things. In working in various subdivisions which are partially populated with existing homeowners, I've seen some really dumb stuff, some of which I've related here. But the funny thing is that many of these guys (and gals) will tell you to go mind your own business, or at least smile and ignore you, when you try to keep them from killing themselves. They're the worst case, what I call the ones who "don't know what they don't know". I can guarantee you not many folks with that mentality spend much time here.

I don't think I'm agreeing or disagreeing with any of the views expressed here, but commenting on another factor - I'll bet that regardless of how much the "average" person on this forum knows, they're learning a lot, and fast, because they care, are interested, and took the time to find and use this forum.

Mark

 

[Bird]

Wen, you trying to make feel even older than I am?/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif My closest neighbor still has an old Oliver and 2 and 3 years ago, I spent the better part of the summers on it cuttin' and balin' hay with him; 85 hp, 6F/2R, double H shift pattern with hydrashift over/direct/under. Not a bad old tractor to be 25 years old. They tell me White bought out Oliver, most of the parts interchange, so parts are still available, and there's still quite a few Olivers around in this area.

Bird

 

[gordon]

Is it me or are todays kids lazy and just take things for granted. My first car I proudly bought with my hard earned cash and I paid for my insurance as well. My first snowmobile and motercycle were bought with my own money as well. Did I take better care of these items because I paid for them---yes---if they broke I had to fix or pay to get the item fixed. Dad did buy my first sailboat afterall that was his favorite hobby. No moters involved.
I know I cussed my father many a day when I was young but I sure do respect him now for the things that he has taught me be it right or wrong he was always trying to better us.
To this day I think nothing of working an eight hour day job and then working my side business at night. The only thing I regret was goofing off in school I did just good enough to stay on the ice hockey team. I bet you guys can tell this by my excellent spelling and grammer.
It does all boil down to work ethics and what a child is taught at the home as to where he or she will end up down the road. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Gordon