Tractor tipping - how easy?

ArmyPair2 · Jul 6, 2016

Before working on my slopes or hills I walk the area as it changes over the past years. One year a huge stump can be there and the next a huge hole in the ground from decay then I red flag it .I also take a phone and two way radio with me and it only takes a fraction of a second to be up on three tires and ready to tip.

bellweather · Jul 7, 2016

Thanks for sharing the video. Yes, sobering and a good reminder of how easily things can go wrong. Brings to mind that saying about pilots - 'there are old pilots and bold pilots but no old bold pilots'.

JWR · Jul 7, 2016

Hermio said:
Yes, I have seen that video before. The hill did not look that steep, but the rut was enough to tip it over. Sobering.

That video is from the PA state Farm Progress show held south of State College every August. They operate the blue tractor by a remote control and purposely hit a hole on the low side which is just enough to tumble the tractor. It is impressive and should cause every one to watch for holes and low spots on the lower side when they are operating on steep ground. It is also a pitch for wearing seatbelts to keep the operator within the protection zone of the ROPS. I do not and will not wear a seatbelt operating a tractor. I depend on staying out of spots where it would happen. Sure, I know, I know -- you cannot always predict. I have friends who were killed bush hogging and just got into surprises that upset the tractor on them.

czechsonofagun · Jul 7, 2016

I am guilty too, never wear seat belt, my land is flat, but still

Maybe I will start.

aczlan · Jul 7, 2016

JWR said:
That video is from the PA state Farm Progress show held south of State College every August. They operate the blue tractor by a remote control and purposely hit a hole on the low side which is just enough to tumble the tractor. It is impressive and should cause every one to watch for holes and low spots on the lower side when they are operating on steep ground. It is also a pitch for wearing seatbelts to keep the operator within the protection zone of the ROPS. I do not and will not wear a seatbelt operating a tractor. I depend on staying out of spots where it would happen. Sure, I know, I know -- you cannot always predict. I have friends who were killed bush hogging and just got into surprises that upset the tractor on them.

Between bumps and possibly getting bumped to where I could fall off, I try to always wear a seatbelt.
When I was a teenager, the next door neighbor tried to remove a railroad tie retaining wall with a rented skidsteer by lifting from one end and shaking it until it fell apart.
It was too heavy and it flipped the skidsteer forward on its nose. He wasn't wearing a belt and was thrown into the lap bar (which kept him in the cab), however he couldn't get the bucket to lower and get it back on its feet because some of the controls were on the foot pedals.
I was able to get in, buckle up, cinch the belt up so I was hanging from the belt. That let me run the foot pedals (as I didn't have to stand on them) and I was able to work both the hand and foot controls in together to get it back on its wheels.
He then had me take the wall apart for him with the skidsteer.

Aaron Z

Jay4200 · Jul 7, 2016

Snowback said:
Not what I expected, but pretty funny!

My advice to Jay4200 is to be careful on side hills, (Preferably up and down rather than across if they are steep), no sharp turns at speed on hard pack or paved/concrete roads, and always watch out for unexpected rotten tump wells or ruts/holes. It can be easy it is to tip a tractor if one is not careful.

JFTR, I wrote the original post 11 years and ~800ish hours ago. Tractor is incredibly stable with my backhoe attached - it's carried on a subframe and weighs about 2000 pounds. I ran the tractor/backhoe together for 6 years before taking the 'hoe off for the first time - which was the one time that I was really close to tipping over. Right after I took the backhoe off, I drove down a hill with a bucket full of loam - back end lifted and everything got really hairy - somehow I have the wherewithall to shove the lever and drop the bucket onto the ground. Required a shorts changing. I did tip the tractor over onto the side of a camping trailer once while using my backhoe, but that didn't count - my Woods 9000 throws that L4200 around like so much tissue paper.

I still have and constantly use my L4200, which I love, and I also have a BX2200 - I wouldn't wish a BX on my worst enemy - complete POS.

JFoy · Jul 7, 2016

Well Jay, if you're hate the BX so much, I'll swing by and remove it for you - free of charge!

JWR · Jul 7, 2016

Jay2000 -- Astounding this post has rattled around in the innards of TBN for 11 years ! I never noticed that when I first commented. Obviously you started a good discussion.

Jay4200 · Jul 8, 2016

JFoy said:
Well Jay, if you're hate the BX so much, I'll swing by and remove it for you - free of charge!

Deal, as long as you leave a B in it's place.

montelatici · Jul 24, 2016

I recently tipped one of my "tractors". A little Troybilt riding mower that I mainly use in the pool area. I think I was the problem, I have gotten too fat and the center of gravity on the little thing was me. The BXs and the L 3700 never come close to tipping over. Luckily I live in the country and nobody saw me (and my wife is on vacation with my daughter) but seeing a fat 65 year old flipping a tiny Troybilt riding mower would have been hilarious.