Least Tippy Machine

[60047]

I have a Kubota L4330 with 6-inch wheel spacers and ag tires. I thought for sure this arrangement would provide the level of stability I was looking for, but it doesn't. I live on 14 acres of rolling/bumpy land that was previously a tree farm. There are holes all over the place and the land is generally uneven.

I plant a few acres, but I'm mostly interested in managing the land, clearing, and freeing up space for new uses. I felt much more stable in a Bobcat T650 that I had rented before buying the Kubota.

What types of machines are very stable on uneven ground, can use standard attachments, and are easy to work on/maintain? My budget is about $30,000.

 

[jeff9366]

What types of machines are very stable on uneven ground, use standard attachments, and are easy to work on/maintain? My budget is about $30,000.

Ventrac and Steiner.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ventrac+steiner

 

[sea2summit]

How big are these holes? Sounds like you might need to doze it and start over if you're unsafe driving a tractor that size because of holes.

 

[60047]

At least two feet across, most are over three feet.
Whatever replaces it should definitely have a loader.

 

[Rebeldad1]

you might look at orchard tractors. they are closer to the ground and may be a little wider

 

[Liquidsilver]

I see the big highway department tractors pulling their 15-foot bat wing cutters on slopes that make me dizzy.
They have very wide front axles, big weights on the front and the rear tires are also set very wide. I would think you could look into similar equipment for other tractor models.

If I can add a question to this topic.. since I have a dam that is hard to mow on the face near the water, straight up and down, forward and reversing until the clutch is burning hot... I'm pretty sure I could mow it sideways without risk of tipover... but here's the question:

Has anyone tried having a friend with a heavy truck drive along the level top of the dam with a chain to the ROPS to be sure it wouldn't try to tip over? Just wondering about trying it. It would save me at least an hour and lots of wear and tear.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Kubota L4330 with 6-inch wheel spacers and ag tires. I thought this arrangement would provide the level of stability I was looking for, but it doesn't.

I live on 14 acres of rolling/bumpy land that was previously a tree farm. There are holes all over the place and the land is generally uneven.

Changing from R1/ag tires to R4/industrial tires will lower tractor center-of-gravity. New rims and tires required.

Changing from standard diameter R4/industrial tires to one increment smaller diameter R4/industrial tires/rims will lower your center-of-gravity further at some decrease in traction and top speed. New rims and tires required.

Changing from R4/industrial tires to Turf Tires will lower your center-of-gravity at some reduction in tire toughness and top speed. New rims and tires required.

Filling rear tires 50% with liquid will lower tractor center-of-gravity for all above tires.

Removing the FEL will lower the tractor center-of-gravity. You can substitute a Three Point Hitch - Dirt Scoop or a Three Point Hitch - Box Blade for moving dirt.

 

[sea2summit]

At least two feet across, most are over three feet.
Whatever replaces it should definitely have a loader.

You would need a very significant machine to handle holes that size. I'd start filling them in or doze them rather than change a machine trying to find something more stable, heck just driving over it without undue wear/damage to the machine would take huge wheels even if the machine was stable.

 

[sea2summit]

I have a Kubota L4330 with 6-inch wheel spacers and ag tires. I thought for sure this arrangement would provide the level of stability I was looking for, but it doesn't.

I live on 14 acres of rolling/bumpy land that was previously a tree farm. There are holes all over the place and the land is generally uneven.

Changing from R1/ag tires to R4/industrial tires will lower tractor center-of-gravity.

Changing from standard diameter R4/industrial tires to one increment smaller diameter R4/industrial tires will lower your center-of-gravity further at some loss in traction and top speed.

Changing from R4/industrial tires to Turf Tires will lower your center-of-gravity at some reduction in tire toughness and top speed.

Filling rear tires 50% with liquid will lower tractor center-of-gravity for all above tires.

Removing the FEL will lower the tractor center-of-gravity.

Sounds to me like he's probably getting one wheel of the ground and needs larger tires rather than smaller but I understand where you're going with the stability aspect.

 

[k0ua]

And the next question: is it the operator or is it the tractor? In other words would a different operator be just fine and dandy operating your tractor on your property. "tippyness" is often a factor more of the operator than the machine. Just how close did you come to tipping over? Or have you tipped over. I can go on hills that are about 20 degrees worse than my wife. She has a very low "tippyness" threshold.

My threshold is much lower than the fellows that drive the State tractors and mow the right of ways in the summer. Sure there tractors are set up a little better, BUT they have to leave room for those big steel ones on the platform under their seat. If you have wheel spacers and the wheels set out wide and loaded tires, even with AG tires, I bet your tractor is in NO danger of tipping over. If you change to R4's of course it will be a little more stabile, AND will slip down hills before it tips over. These are just my thoughts and you are there and I ain't.