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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Bob A.
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2000-08-28          19206


This may be a silly question, but is there an "objective" (as opposed to subjective) method of determining if a tractor is about to roll? I'm thinking that a simple water level could provide an accurate slope angle when riding and one can simply avoid approaching the roll-over angle at all costs. I suspect they have been rejected for some reason and was curious why.Thanks,Bob A.



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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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2000-08-28          19210


I think that some people use them. There was a thread on this half a year ago. Of course you have to keep in mind the altitude of your front and rear implements and the angle of the front wheels. My most frightening moments seem to happen quickly...like dropping a tire into a soft spot. Not much time to look at a level indicator. Frankly, I don't like it when the tractor is on any kind of a slope. I set my tires out as far as they will go, and use cast iron wheel weights. ....


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william
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 31 South Caralina
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2000-08-28          19223


I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON TRACTOR DRIVING BUT THIS TILT METER STUFF I AM READING ABOUT SCARES ME TO DEATH. IT MAY WORK IF IT WAS ACCURATE AND YOU WERE ON A PAVED SURFACE. THEY DO NOT ADDRESS HOLES THAT LOWER WHEEL CAN DROP IN; BUMPS OR ROCKS THAT CAN LIFT UPPER WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING; WET OR SPONGY PLACES; ETC.
I SUGGEST YOU ADJUST WHEELS WIDE AS NECESSARY, MAINTAIN VERY GOOD BRAKES, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TRACTOR FOR THE EMPLEMENT YOU ARE USING, GO SLOW, AND GO UP AND DOWN THE HILL WHERE POSSIBLE. ALSO HAVE ENOUGH FRONT END WEIGHT TO HOLD DOWN FRONT END. ....


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DanaT
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 138 Clay Center,Ks
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2000-08-28          19224


Bob, After I ALL MOST rolled my 855 twice. The first thing I did was clean off the seat, then I ordered a tiltmeter, I got a big one so I could see it at at glance becauce when your in that pickel you don't have time to look, I also put a small one on the roll bar to level front to back, If looks to much then I drive straight up and then I can see the slope before I turn side ways. I also use it for landscapeing so the water all ways runs down hill. I bought two meters and invested $65. I belive it's cheap insurance as long as you wacth it. If a tractor is rolled it surly would cost more than $65 for you or machine to repair! I'm sorry but this subject struck a nervem, I'll get of my soap box now. ....


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Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999
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2000-08-28          19225


William, I like my tiltmeter, but naturally it's not a substitute for common sense. It's just another instrument to provide a little more information. And the manufacturer will tell you that you still need to consider the points that you've mentioned; dropping a wheel on the low side in a hole or soft spot, running over a rock, stump, etc. on the high side, and things such as that. ....


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Bob A.
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2000-08-29          19250


Wow, I had no idea people actually used these devices. I have no intention of using it as a replacement for common sense. Right now my tiltmeter is my stomach as it turns whenever I'm on ANY slope. I've hit holes on flat ground too (scared me to death) so I'm going to be cautious about that on slopes - trust me. I think a tilt meter will be useful. Thanks a lot for all the info and keep it coming. I'd appreciate any more tips on using them or buying them. What I've read so far is very useful. ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999
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2000-08-29          19258


I didn't know, until recently, that there were any "standards" for ag tractors, but according to the manufacturer of the tiltmeter (and from what I've seen so far, he's a pretty darned knowledgeable straight shooter), they should not roll at 20 degrees. Now that's a factory tractor without taking into consideration such things as attached implements, canopies, etc. I may be a little more scared of slopes than some, but I have one short stretch to mow that worried me (actually scared the dickens out of me), so I bought and installed a tiltmeter (slope indicator) just to see how steep it was; 18 degrees. So I parked the tractor there and got off and tried rocking it by hand to see if I could tilt it up on two wheels. Maybe not a very scientific test, but I "think" my tractor, even with its canopy, could stand 20 degrees, and I HOPE I never tilt it that far to see! Fifteen degrees is darned uncomfortable for me and I try to limit my tractor to that, and go slowly and carefully in 4WD even then, knowing that any little hump on the high side, or dip on the low side, could very quickly change that tilt too much. ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Rick
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2000-08-29          19265


Hi Guys,
Rick here with R&B.Mfg.Inc. As the sharp gentleman mentioned, common sense
is your first tool in preventing a roll-over. Most state highway depts.
use a three to 1 grade as a roll-over limit.This is (18.46) DEGREES.
Most tractor mfgs. use 20 degrees as a limit. Since water runs down hill,
grass and vegetation will grow taller at bottom, causing an optical illusion.
Slope can be much steeper than it looks. We recommend that you operate at
15 degrees max. due to stumps, rocks, etc. as mentioned. How do you know
when your at 15 degrees ????? A slope indicator will definately help.
They are also useful in landscaping, constructing terraces, building pond dams
etc. We currently supply 28 state highway depts. with our indicators. We
followed the use of our indicators by a state highway dept. for 1 yr.
Their roll-over rate dropped by 59%. They have been tested by two state
university ag. depts. and two state d.o.t. testing facilities. We rated
excellent in ALL catagories. Our indicators are accurate to + - 1 degree.
If you have any questions, or if i may be of service, feel free to post here,
or email me. Thanks for your time. Rick. ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999
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2000-08-29          19266


I guess it's needless to say, fellows, that Rick at R&B is the guy I was talking about in my previous message. ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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David Johnston
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2000-09-22          19991


I know that you should avoid getting to this point at all cost but what is the correct reaction if you feel your tractor start to tip?
Turn up hill?
Turn down hill?
Do something else?

thanks for any input on this.........
David...... ....


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william
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 31 South Caralina
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2000-09-22          19995


TURN DOWNHILL. DO NOT TURN UPHILL. AS YOU ARE TURNING DOWNHILL, SOME ADDITIONAL GAS/SPEED WOULD PROBAGLY HELP. THIS MAY SOUND DUMB BUT THE CENTRIFICAL FORCE COULD BE AN ASSET. IF ALL THAT FAILS, JUMP OFF UPHILL. ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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Rick
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2000-09-22          19996


David,
Of course there are no absolutes when starting to tip. However I can tell you
from years of experience working for the highway dept. and also supervising
a mowing crew that turning up hill causes a sudden momentum or weight shift
to the down hill side of the tractor. Usually results in a roll-over if already
starting to roll. However turning down hill resulted in less rolls. Some still
occured, but not as many. If you add wheel weights, fill the tires with liquid
add frame weights, and extend all wheels outward to their limit, and make SURE
you use rops. You can add more degrees of side hill operation to most tractors.
I also found that an under-inflated tire can drastically decrease roll-over
limit. Hope this helps. Call collect if you like to discuss further. I don't
mind paying a little bigger phone bill if it keeps ANYONE from rolling a
tractor. (816) 587-9814. Rick ....


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Rick
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2000-09-22          19998


David,
Of course there are no absolutes when starting to tip. However I can tell you
from years of experience working for the highway dept. and also supervising
a mowing crew that turning up hill causes a sudden momentum or weight shift
to the down hill side of the tractor. Usually results in a roll-over if already
starting to roll. However turning down hill resulted in less rolls. Some still
occured, but not as many. If you add wheel weights, fill the tires with liquid
add frame weights, and extend all wheels outward to their limit, and make SURE
you use rops. You can add more degrees of side hill operation to most tractors.
I also found that an under-inflated tire can drastically decrease roll-over
limit. Hope this helps. Call collect if you like to discuss further. I don't
mind paying a little bigger phone bill if it keeps ANYONE from rolling a
tractor. (816) 587-9814. Rick ....


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Question about avoiding roll-overs

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John Shade
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2000-09-22          20003


I have not been in the situaion before, thank God. But turning down hill seems logical to me also. BUT I've heard from a few sources that if you have an ROP, wear your seat belt & do not jump off! I wouldn't want to end up under the ROP> ....


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Rick
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2000-09-23          20012


John,
I agree. I have rolled three tractors over the years due to my position as
slope mowing specialist for the highway dept. I tried to jump off on my first
roll-over. Almost fell/slid back into the brush hog. Always wore seat belt
after that. Rick ....


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