Tipping angle question.

[markls8]

Just got a B8200 with KMW FEL and a Land Pride box scraper. My small property has some relatively steep slopes in some areas, and my 'bota is not ROPS - equiped, so I will have to rely on extreme caution until the budget allows. I see that the tilt meter is a valuable tool, but my question is - How can I tell, either with or without a tilt gauge, what the safe angle (my concern is mostly rolling sideways, as I cannot always go straight up or down the slope) is for my machine. I weigh 135 lbs. and I will be keeping the implements as low as required while traversing a slope, but being a newbie I have never come close to feeling unstable so I have no idea what is a safe angle ( don't want to roll it to find out what the rollover angle is /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )
Essentially I have been a chicken to go down the slopes I am leary of, but I need to at some point to get the work done there. I will be checking my tires for Calcium, as has been suggested here, but having bought through a reputable dealer I'm fairly certain it's been installed by the previous owner.
So, what sayeth you... what are some ballpark figures which you are using, hopefully similarly-equiped to mine.
Thankyou in advance for your replies - Brian.

 

[RoyJackson]

CUT's are tested (per an ANSI spec) to 20° static. By static, the machine is strapped down to a tilt table under controlled conditions.

Of course, driving up and down, or across slopes are far from being "controlled" conditions. A small dip on the down hill side or small rise (or large rock) on the uphill side (when traveling across the slope) can quickly cause a stable machine to go over. Wet grass or other vegetation can cause a side slide down hill.

So, you're best bet is to do as much up and down slopes as you can. then, for traveling across the slope...it's going to have to be "seat of the pants" or, as we TBNer's say it: "The pucker factor". When I first drove my 670 across the slopes of my place, even 5° was intimidating. Now, 12° is no problem with caution and common sense!!! 15° is about my limit. Just go real slow until you develop a feel for what your tractor is doing and don't travel across wet grass.

As far as the maximum safe angle, there isn't one that fits all conditions. On my tiltmeter, the caution markings are at the 15° mark. To me, that's a lot!!!

I thought Kubota had a retrofit ROPS kit for around $150. You might want to check on this asap. Remember, no ROPS, no seatbelt...if the tractor rolls, you got to try to get off.

 

[Slamfire]

Imagine, if you will, a transparent deck. If you could look straight down through it, and see the outside of your rear tire, you are rolling over. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> How can I tell, either with or without a tilt gauge, what the safe angle (my concern is mostly rolling sideways, as I cannot always go straight up or down the slope) is for my machine... ...being a newbie I have never come close to feeling unstable so I have no idea what is a safe angle </font>

markls8,

The short of it is there is no safe angle. A tractor can be rolled on a flat surface too. Best to always keep that in mind.

Generally the faster you are moving the more danger you are in. As mentioned above, 20 degrees is probably OK if you are moving slow or stopped. And 20 degrees is pretty steep when sitting on the tractor! I have some measured 20 degree slopes and I feel VERY scared if I have the tractor sitting sideways on one. I almost never do that. Up and down straight...very comfortable.

Always remember that a hidden stump or hole can change the angle of the tractor in an instant. Take it slow. Keep you loader down low. Ues common sense and trust the pucker factor and you will be OK...I'll bet.

 

[BB_TX]

I would somehow work a ROPS into the budget as quickly as possible. You should be able to get one for no more than $300-400. Yes, that is a lot of money, but a serious injury would be far more expensive. And you can't put a price on death.
As has been previously mentioned, you can be as careful as possible, but hidden problems such as holes or dips on a slope can quickly put you into a dangerous situation. Also, wet grass on a slope can cause you to start an uncontrolled slide. Be safe, get a ROPS.

 

[markls8]

Thankyou for some good pointers. I spent some time on the machine today and now I feel much more confident that I will eventually be able to gauge the safety factor. It does look like common sense is of the essence. Slowly and surely; load low. I can easily lift a full bucket of wet sand or soil, and if I deliberately jerk the arms my rear wheels bounce a bit but still stay on the ground - I must have Calcium already. Seems quite stable front-to-back, just have to watch side-to-side closely.
I'll watch the wet grass (when I get some grass /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's a new construction).
Thankyou for the responses.
Regards - Brian.