tractor roll over, be extra cautious.

[farmerjim]

saw this in the local paper, i guess it happened after the tractor pull at the fair, other than what they say not much details. i would have been there if i didn't go to empire farm days for the weekend. my thoughts and prayers for his family, and hopes for a good recovery. as always be very cautious when loading and unloading off a trailer.

Lebanon: Man pinned under overturned tractor - Norwich, CT - Norwich Bulletin

 

[Gary Fowler]

This is the reason you should load your tractor backward when going up a ramp. Less likely to flip both loading and unloading. Even going up steep hills, it is better to back up them than go forward.

 

[Renze]

Going up a ramp, you'll have more weight (=traction) on the rear wheels when going forward, because the center of gravity shifts closer to where the rear wheels touch the ground... And thats exactly where the danger is.

older 2wd tractors are usually 35% front, 65% rear weighted, so the center of gravity is at 35% of the wheelbase, measured from the front axle, or 65% measured from the rear axle.
when going forward up a steep ramp or hill, measured horizontally the center of gravity moves even closer to where the rear tires touch the ground.
Add in the dynamic weight shift, because of the torque of the wheels pushing off against the tractor body, which shifts even more weight to the rear axle, off the front axle, (like, when the front pops up when your foot slips off the clutch) and you have a disaster.


I think this guy wasnt doing anything weird, probably loaded this tractor onto this trailer many times.
But when your foot slips off the clutch, the sudden torque on the wheels can pop the front of the tractor in the air... What normally is a safe procedure, can turn out worst when slipping your foot off the clutch.

Possible preventions: As mentioned, reverse up the ramp or hill.
OR: use a very low gear when driving up ramps or hills, to minimise this effect when your foot slips off the clutch.

 

[Willl]

Tilt bed trailers.

F those ramps.