Wheel spacers or weights for slopes?

[dragoneggs]

Tippy front axle? Well I suppose having the FEL on does move the COG forward and front axles are somewhat or in my case a lot narrower then my rears so the COG is then closer to one of the side roll over tipping lines. but when you consider end for end flips the FEL is an advantage greatly reducing the tractors tendency to pop a wheely or go completely over backwards and making a front end for end flip almost impossible if the bucket is held low.
I've never taken my loaded off and probably never will.

Where it gets scary is with the FEL bucket heavily loaded and a hard turn is performed. Thus why I NEVER turn hard with bucket up high... loaded or not.

 

[Brown Dog]

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I've never taken my loaded off and probably never will.

You oughta try it, when weight on frt isn't necessary.
Works great, gets closer to obstacles & don't bang & clang on rough ground.
Also Easier on the front axle too.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Where it gets scary is with the FEL bucket heavily loaded and a hard turn is performed. Thus why I NEVER turn hard with bucket up high... loaded or not.

Yes of course. When your actually using the loader and have full buckets you should be on level ground even if you have to level it. But you have a tractor with a loader so you can.
If you need to pick a load that is in a position where the tractor is on a slope you should always work with the tractor at a full stop for the lift and creep out of it with the load as low as possible.
I spend very little time with the bucket up high loaded or not.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Where it gets scary is with the FEL bucket heavily loaded and a hard turn is performed. Thus why I NEVER turn hard with bucket up high... loaded or not.

Yes of course. When your actually using the loader and have full buckets you should be on level ground even if you have to level it. But you have a tractor with a loader so you can.
If you need to pick a load that is in a position where the tractor is on a slope you should always work with the tractor at a full stop for the lift and creep out of it with the load as low as possible.
I spend very little time with the bucket up high loaded or not.

 

[AxleHub]

You simply don't traverse steep hills in a CUT. Up and down. Hopefully with a flat area on top to let you turn around. I sometimes make ten point turns if necessary on slopes as guided by my sphincter.

The two things that always make me nervous (the manly terminology would be "I respect this")

1. Cutting grass (no fel or pull behind) . . . And needing to Change forward direction on a sidehill by turning down the hill lower and right at the point of the turn altering direction switchover (issue of momentum over steer with sidehill).

2. Wanting to use the fel on a sidehill circumstance because you can't go up and down for one reason or another.

 

[blin]

What manufacturer of spacers are being used? Anything special to look for? I have seen some solid and some billet styles.
I know this is a weight or spacer thread, but tire pressure is also relative. I used to run my rears at 20 PSI per specifications, and they would spin and slip easy. I lowered them to 16 and that has made a big difference in grip, and I think stability. I still want to go wider.

 

[AxleHub]

What manufacturer of spacers are being used? Anything special to look for? I have seen some solid and some billet styles.
I know this is a weight or spacer thread, but tire pressure is also relative. I used to run my rears at 20 PSI per specifications, and they would spin and slip easy. I lowered them to 16 and that has made a big difference in grip, and I think stability. I still want to go wider.

When it comes to spacers . . The supplier choices are at times based on the size and brand of tractor. Several sub compact styles like Kubota bx and Massey gc and a few others are carried by bro tek . . Compacts and larger are often via dealer access etc.. I'm sure quality and spacer sizes is a big variant.

 

[vtsnowedin]

What manufacturer of spacers are being used? Anything special to look for? I have seen some solid and some billet styles.
I know this is a weight or spacer thread, but tire pressure is also relative. I used to run my rears at 20 PSI per specifications, and they would spin and slip easy. I lowered them to 16 and that has made a big difference in grip, and I think stability. I still want to go wider.

These are factory issue.


But there are several aftermarket sources that make good product for almost any tractor you can name. A search through the old threads will turn up several.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Even an experienced operator on a wide tractor can get in trouble on slopes. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...ed-farm-accident-critical-condition/29945605/

 

[number9L]

There is NO WAY I could mow / bush hog all areas of my property with the FEL on.

I used to not want / be afraid of taking it off. Once I did and used the tractor without it when I didn't need it, was like night and day. Now, I never put it on unless I'm going to need to use it.

Try it.

...

 

[vtsnowedin]

There is NO WAY I could mow / bush hog all areas of my property with the FEL on.

I used to not want / be afraid of taking it off. Once I did and used the tractor without it when I didn't need it, was like night and day. Now, I never put it on unless I'm going to need to use it.

Try it.

...

I have two problems with that. First the math is slightly in favor of leaving the loader on for side to side stability and greatly in favor of leaving it on against end for end back flips. And Second there is never I day when I'm using my tractor where the loader is not used or about to be.
But suit yourself, The DOT mowers don't have loaders on ,just suitcase weights. And they have some special setups for doing the over the rail and 2 to 1 slopes.

 

[AxleHub]

. . . . . . . First the math is slightly in favor of leaving the loader on for side to side stability and greatly in favor of leaving it on against end for end back flips.

. . . . . . . .

The DOT mowers don't have loaders on ,just suitcase weights . . . . .

Greetings VTS. I believe the sciences and data are far more than capable than just "the math" of something. Physics would say a fel creates leveraged weight and extended gravity forces . . Where "just" suitcase weight actually produces direct superior weight inside a controlled location.

A fel is a good thing for lifting . . but I believe its hill and sidehill positive stability advantages are limited to just being used to keep a tractor from a forward end for end roll on downhill directions . . . and only then when kept very very close to the ground.

Like many things in life "just suitcase weights" might be simple appearing but offer a far more pure form of advantages on traction and stability than does a fel's complex issues in traction and stability and gravity concerns in my opinion.

A fel is like a beautiful woman . . easy to use but hard to control. Lol

 

[skyhook]

Think of a turtle going down hill, forward, then sideways, I don't think it will roll...lol

 

[AxleHub]

Think of a turtle going down hill, forward, then sideways, I don't think it will roll...lol

Yes thats right . . A turtle has everything directly over axle. Nature builds a perfect model for both sidehilling or vertical hilling. Only problem is . . Really poor ground clearance

 

[skyhook]

Yes thats right . . A turtle has everything directly over axle. Nature builds a perfect model for both sidehilling or vertical hilling. Only problem is . . Really poor ground clearance

True, I heard once these things flip over, they can't flip back on all fours.

 

[vtsnowedin]

A fel is a good thing for lifting . . but I believe its hill and sidehill positive stability advantages are limited to just being used to keep a tractor from a forward end for end roll on downhill directions . . . and only then when kept very very close to the ground.

Like many things in life "just suitcase weights" might be simple appearing but offer a far more pure form of advantages on traction and stability than does a fel's complex issues in traction and stability and gravity concerns in my opinion.

A fel is like a beautiful woman . . easy to use but hard to control. Lol

The weight of the bucket and the load in it also helps against a back flip while going up hill. Its increased distance from the point of rotation (The back axle ) makes it more effective weight then the same amount of weight on a suitcase rack would.
Also I don't find beautiful women easy to use, much less control.

 

[AxleHub]

The weight of the bucket and the load in it also helps against a back flip while going up hill. Its increased distance from the point of rotation (The back axle ) makes it more effective weight then the same amount of weight on a suitcase rack would.
Also I don't find beautiful women easy to use, much less control.

Vts . . yes a fel "can help" in uphill situations . . But in comparison to suitcase weight or other direct weigjt in wheels or over axle . . It has much potential to "can hurt" too. Like any leverage situation . . Any deviation changes to the leverage can work against you. But I'll use 2 examples.

1. Your fel is 5 inches off the ground as you go uphill. Rougher ground ahead and you end up running fel into ground jolting the tractor rather suddenly and affecting traction/stability . . . . Or you raise the fel from 5 inches to 2 feet . . Which now creates more tractor movement/rocking horse effects plus leverage now is altered and more volatile.

2. For any number of reasons you need to alter your direction from straight uphill to mostly straight up hill and slightly left or right. Now your leverage is changed to a compound set of gravitational and stability effects.

A fel is a good thing for many purposes. However there are 2 major issues that create tractor accidents . . Tip overs/tractors out of control and clothes/appendages caught in ptos or implements.

I contend a fel is a dangerous but useful item. When I need it around hills or inclines . . I'll use it but never without a keen awareness of hill issues. And when I don't need it for current work and I'm on hills or inclines . . its off the tractor. With suitcase weight or loaded tires the only concern for safety is where I put my feet if I'm moving the weights

 

[FTG-05]

I have two problems with that. First the math is slightly in favor of leaving the loader on for side to side stability and greatly in favor of leaving it on against end for end back flips. And Second there is never I day when I'm using my tractor where the loader is not used or about to be.
But suit yourself, The DOT mowers don't have loaders on ,just suitcase weights. And they have some special setups for doing the over the rail and 2 to 1 slopes.

This. I won't go up or down my hill without the FEL on it.

First, it's simply too useful to not have it on. Second, I can feel the difference with two 30 gallon barrels filled with water in it when going up my hill. I can really feel the difference with 12 gallons of water in my front tires. That was actually more effective than the 2 30 gallon barrels.

I'm leaving my FEL on, thanks!

 

[wmonroe]

A fel is like a beautiful woman . . easy to use but hard to control. Lol

Very funny....but also true!

 

[Brown Dog]

Well, I placed an order with Motorsport-Tech for 5" spacers. I want to add wheel weights too ....

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Old thread I know :
Did you order Steel Or Alum Wheel Spacers ?