Tractor Rollover

[yanmars]

Filled tires might help lower the center of gravity?

 

[boutym]

We all know that (pucker) feeling when driving a tractor sideways on an incline. Is there any information on how to determine a safe angle of tilt? Do wheel weights and loaded tires make any difference on turn over? When going from smaller tractor to a larger one with a wider wheel base how much does the rollover decrease? Would having a bush hog attached low to the ground help or just be neutral? I wonder if one had a simple inclinometer, would this be of any help?

I posed this question to a Massey rep and was told there was no published incline limitations because it wouldn't be easy to test every possible configuration of the machine. I can see where it could be a liability to put something in black and white because you can never accurately estimate the idiot factor.

The bottom line with tractors in my opinion is if in doubt, don't do it. If you're going to do it, keep the CG as low as possible. How much a bush hog will affect rollover is a moving target since several variables exist. Bottom line is if an incline could be a problem, don't do it sideways. That said, weighted wheels and a wider stance will help, but to what degree all depends on the math.

I've had a few heart stopping moments with tractors, loaders, and backhoes and in one case years ago what saved my butt was having the presence of mind to reach back as soon as I realized a rollover was happening and simultaneously extend and swing the backhoe over to counter it. Scared the crap out of me and that was the day I became wiser. I was lucky to have a TLB that could do compound movements with the backhoe.

The other thing is make sure you're using a ROPS and a seatbelt and never jump from a tractor that's rolling over if you can help it.

 

[thankyouTBN]

Right!? I still get very uncomfortable crossing an incline. I got an inclinometer. I drove my tractor to the steepest bank on my property, it is JUST within the parameters in the owners manual. I turned off the tractor, got off and was rocking the tractor by hand and it was SCARY. I seriously thought if I put my back into it I could push the tractor over. (I can’t remember right now, but I think Kubota said 30° max.)

 

[careyo63]

To many Variables with relying on a inclinometer. What happened to me and set The pucker factor off went astronomical!! Clean to Uranus. INKY!! Luck have it I realized how bad it was. Stuck sideways on a incline. I reversed the rear tires and added quite a bit of Displacement so wasn't all that worried about it until my R. tire fell in a small hole that the grass grew up in. I only cut that area one or twice before. Neighbors' property. The tractor fell sideways and lifted the Drive Wheel off the ground. Talk about moving slow in the seat!! Only a few inches but enough. Shut everything down and turned the steering wheel downhill. In knew this and have a Reversable drive wheel I can change the Rear drive with. When it came out of it hole it rolled down hill.
On my Yanmar! well familiar with that roll over. Mother was the Kids bus driver and at the seen when it happened. Chained to a Fence post though.

 

[Gord Baker]

We all know that (pucker) feeling when driving a tractor sideways on an incline. Is there any information on how to determine a safe angle of tilt? Do wheel weights and loaded tires make any difference on turn over? When going from smaller tractor to a larger one with a wider wheel base how much does the rollover decrease? Would having a bush hog attached low to the ground help or just be neutral? I wonder if one had a simple inclinometer, would this be of any help?

Just don't do it.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just swapped the rear tires side to side. The dish of each tire is now out and literally made a difference of almost 2 ft. In width.

Filled tires might help lower the center of gravity?

Most or all loader manuals I've read specify both swapping rear tires to "offset in" (i.e. "wide stance") position and filling the rear tires with ballast. Swapping the wheels around usually reduces max load the rear axle can handle, and wheel spacers make that infinitely worse, but usually rear axle load bearing is not the primary constraint on a loader operation.

Just be mindeful of these deratings next time you're loading up the 3 point hitch to max capacity, esp. for those going the wheel spacer route.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

We all know that (pucker) feeling when driving a tractor sideways on an incline. Is there any information on how to determine a safe angle of tilt? Do wheel weights and loaded tires make any difference on turn over? When going from smaller tractor to a larger one with a wider wheel base how much does the rollover decrease? Would having a bush hog attached low to the ground help or just be neutral? I wonder if one had a simple inclinometer, would this be of any help?

Speed + dips, holes, rocks, bumps, and slipperiness are your nemesis when operating anywhere near rollover point. You can go from doing just fine to looking at tractor and sky over you in seconds. And CG can change simply based on how much fuel you have in the tractor. My recommendation is get a tilt meter, find out what the manufacturer says is the rollover angle, and then subtract 20% of the angle for your operating to red zone.

 

[panamaguy]

We all know that (pucker) feeling when driving a tractor sideways on an incline. Is there any information on how to determine a safe angle of tilt? Do wheel weights and loaded tires make any difference on turn over? When going from smaller tractor to a larger one with a wider wheel base how much does the rollover decrease? Would having a bush hog attached low to the ground help or just be neutral? I wonder if one had a simple inclinometer, would this be of any help?

Yes general rule is dont drive on side hills unless you have your paperwork in order and have spelt my name correctly

 

[careyo63]

Most or all loader manuals I've read specify both swapping rear tires to "offset in" position and filling the rear tires with ballast. Swapping the wheels around usually reduces max load the rear axle can handle, and wheel spacers make that infinitely worse, but usually rear axle load bearing is not the primary constraint on a loader operation.

Just be mindeful of these deratings next time you're loading up the 3 point hitch to max capacity, esp. for those going the wheel spacer route.

No FEL. or antifreeze loaded rear tires I keep this as light as possible. I have that on a Ford. loaded rears and a FEL. The Org. lugs are still huge!! And in my Ga. clay I don't leave any tracks. If it's wet I can dig and tear up the soil.
I've had wheel bearing issues over the decades. And the only thing it gets used for. FM. and BB. the gravel Rd. It's a rice patty tractor! and the only thing that has worn out. The wheel ball bearing fell out!! I knew there was wear but didn't expect that.
No Grease Zerks either sealed!!
If spacer on the tractors there is a high probability of breaking something. The front bearings wearing scared the front Axel spindles.
After I relined the rear from wear/cracks. I had to reline them Gempler! and while they was off I check it in the Org factory mounted wheel. The fender and tire matched the same. You can see how weak that would be extending the wheels.

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[AntiqueIron]

We all know that (pucker) feeling when driving a tractor sideways on an incline. Is there any information on how to determine a safe angle of tilt? Do wheel weights and loaded tires make any difference on turn over? When going from smaller tractor to a larger one with a wider wheel base how much does the rollover decrease? Would having a bush hog attached low to the ground help or just be neutral? I wonder if one had a simple inclinometer, would this be of any help?

The thing to bear in mind is that on a side hill part of the problem is you are at the mercy of a wet spot, chuck hole, whatever.

All I know is when my gut says STOP, I listen.