Tractor Loader Safety Question

[Cabinholler]

I have a 55 PTO horsepower 4X4 cab tractor with loader on it that I bought new this pass spring. This tractor is used mostly on my farm to pull a 8 foot heavy duty pull type rotary cutter. I always keep the loader on the tractor when I am using the rotary cutter.

My question is this: Would my tractor be more safer with the loader off, or on the tractor when I am using the tractor to pull my rotary cutter on rolling ground? Cab tractors are more top heavy than tractors without cab. I sure don't want to roll this tractor when I am using the rotary cutter.

It seems to me that having the loader on the tractor makes the tractor more top heavy on rolling ground, but I don't know for sure because I have never taken the loader off of the tractor when I am using the tractor to pull the rotary cutter on rolling ground.

I would like to hear your pros and cons on this question.

Cabinholler

The water will never clear up until you get the hogs out of the pond. (You got to find what the trouble is, and eliminate it).

 

[RoyJackson]

You're right...all the mass of the loader is above the axles raising the center of gravity...hence, more top heavy.

I'd suggest you try operating without the loader. Since you have a pull type cutter, you don't need the loader on to compensate for the cutter's weinght during transport.

Having the loader installed is nice if you have to knock down or back drag brush and small trees...so, it depends on what you're cutting.

One thing you could consider...installing dual wheels on the rear of your tractor. That would make it considerably more stable on slopes, even with the cab. But operating in the woods would probably be impossible...

 

[JerryG]

I really think that the answer is yes and no. Side to side the loader will make it less stable. If you are cutting real steep ground up and down, I think that you would be better off with the loader on. I have places where even with the loader way out front, it feels as though the tires are just barely touching the ground. If the loader wasn't on I know that the front would come up and over. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

"If you are cutting real steep ground up and down, I think that you would be better off with the loader on."

He has a pull type cutter so the front end shouldn't get too bad...however, front weights for up and down slopes would be advisible.

 

[Egon]

Put some weight in the loader bucket and keep it as low as feasable.

Egon

 

[rdbrumfield]

from personal experience, I can tell you that having that loader on is actually safer. Reason being is that when you are a bit sidehill having that loader just a few inches from the ground keeps the front axle from pivoting. The outside edge will hit the ground if it starts to tip giving you a chance to remedy the situation. Also having that loader on makes for a great rock and stump feeler out front. The other thing is that if you do go over the frame on your loader will save your tractor some major damage to the tin up front, and in my case on two occasions, kept it from going all way over on it's top. Both times I dropped into holes with the front end and went over on the side. It was the loader that saved me and the tractor. I did go all the way upside down once. Again, it was the loader and roll bar that held the tractor high enough for me to gather myself and live to talk about it. I was lucky in the sense that I had taken off the upright exhaust and had installed one down and back. Point being made, I wouldn't have a tractor without a loader on it for doing any kind of serious work.