tipping

[loopyl]

I just got my L4400 a month ago. I know tipping can be a problem if you go across a hill but what about going up and down a hill. I will be using it on trails that are quite steep. Looking at the tractor I have a FEL and a lot of the weight seems to be over the front tires. It would seem to me that it would be difficult to tip but I don't want to take any chances. I don't think those tip meters are useful however.

 

[woodchuckie]

I can go up and down some pretty steep hills on my trails especially down using the fel on or near the ground for a feeling of security. I always have a cutter or box blade on back and water in rear tires. I'm guessing 50 degrees or more. Hope I don't find out how steep before I tip.

 

[Bird]

I don't think those tip meters are useful however

Neither is a fuel gauge if you keep the tank full and refill it every couple of hours. And if you stay off slopes you'll never need a tiltmeter. But I found them useful for my purposes, just as I found other instruments useful. The tiltmeter will not keep you from rolling the tractor anymore than the fuel gauge will keep you from running out of fuel. They just provide you some information. How you use it, or whether you use it, is up to you.

As for going straight up and down hills; keep that front end loader as low as possible to keep your center of gravity low. In my opinion, it's safer to go downhill forward and uphill in reverse. Just remember that if you have the front end of the tractor pointed uphill, the hill is steep enough, etc., it's possible for the tractor to rotate around the rear axle; i.e., rear up and go over backwards. It's a good idea to have the tractor in 4WD going up and down slopes for a couple of reasons. Naturally traction at all four will help move the tractor, but it can also help stop the tractor. If you are going downhill forward with a load in the bucket of the front end loader, the back end of the tractor can get pretty light and your brakes only work on the rear wheels, so having it in 4WD lets the brakes also slow the front wheels.

And, of course, the best thing is to just go slow and easy until you're familiar with all the hills and slopes.

 

[Sully2]

I saved a lot of $$ by NOT buying a "tilt meter". I go by the "fill my pants" meter.... If it "feels" OK...then I'll go...if it doesnt "feel" ok..I dont care what ANY "tilt meter" tells me...I aint gonna do it!!!

 

[Bird]

Sully, that works for most people most of the time, and when it doesn't work . . . well, funeral home folks have to make a living, too.

 

[JerryG]

A tiltmeter is just another gauge that gives you a little more information to hopefully help you make a better decision. I have two of them. I like to see what the grade is but I also use them when I am making ditches and doing pad work.

 

[andover farmer]

GOOD ADVISE BY BIRD!

ALWAYS ATTACK THE SLOPES STRAIGHT. NEVER @ AN ANGLE AND KEEP THAT BUCKET LOW!

 

[Sully2]

GOOD ADVISE BY BIRD!

ALWAYS ATTACK THE SLOPES STRAIGHT. NEVER @ AN ANGLE AND KEEP THAT BUCKET LOW!

YUP!...

 

[AndyM]

Tipping?

Actually, I have pretty flat land, but I saw the title of this thread and I thought it was a continuation of these threads...

Tipping part 1

Tipping part 2

 

[chrisjbell]

Tractors will roll, and it always happens fast. Steep hills are nothing to mess with.

That doesn't mean that you have to stay off. Just be ready to drop that bucket when a wheel comes up.

Bird's advice about using 4WD is also a very good point. Tractor brakes on a hill are worthless when you start to slide and the traction from your fronts may be the only thing holding you on the hill.

I like my tiltmeter. I think I paid something like $25, which is cheap extra insurance.