adding stability

[Mtsoxfan]

I'm looking to make my NH TC29D HST more stable on sloped land. I would just be brush hogging twice a year or so, currently an old 10 acre hay field, but mowing parts of it to use as walking paths. I currently have a FEL on, wheel weights and while "cruising" a piece of property I'm looking to buy, it felt very unstable on the sloped terrain. Felt like I was going to tip over at times. I ran my lawn tractor over the same area I drove the tractor, still felt like tipping over. A new to me tractor isn't in the cards, although this posts reponses may lead me to that. That purchase would be a year or two out. Trying to make the most of what I have.
I was thinking wheel spacers, but didn't want to research until I heard back from some of you. I'd rather not take off FEL unless it was key to stability, back issues, although it looks pretty straight forward. Would a 2wd tractor with a wider stance make more sense? What should I be considering? Just buying to maintain lack of neighbors and the view.

Thanks all...

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I'm looking to make my NH TC29D HST more stable on sloped land. I would just be brush hogging twice a year or so, currently an old 10 acre hay field, but mowing parts of it to use as walking paths. I currently have a FEL on, wheel weights and while "cruising" a piece of property I'm looking to buy, it felt very unstable on the sloped terrain. Felt like I was going to tip over at times. I ran my lawn tractor over the same area I drove the tractor, still felt like tipping over. A new to me tractor isn't in the cards, although this posts reponses may lead me to that. That purchase would be a year or two out. Trying to make the most of what I have.
I was thinking wheel spacers, but didn't want to research until I heard back from some of you. I'd rather not take off FEL unless it was key to stability, back issues, although it looks pretty straight forward. Would a 2wd tractor with a wider stance make more sense? What should I be considering? Just buying to maintain lack of neighbors and the view.

Thanks all...

I have a hill that I mow that used to give me that similiar feel of tipping. All it takes is one hole you may not see dug by an animal to cause a roll over.
Now I mow it up and down the slope, eliminating driving along the slope.
Takes a little bit more time, but it always feels safe. It is steep enough that I mow this section in 4x4 mode.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thanks. I did run in 4x4 to help maintain traction at all times. There are some areas where up/down isn't possible due to all the changing slopes. I've read, now going to confirm that I can swap tires side to side to give a wider stance as the rim plate isn't centered. I'd have to look to see if the weights will clear being on the inside. Thinking they won't, but worth a look. I'm guessing the weights are more important than the added width??

And I know from walking the area, there is at least 1 fox hole and groundhog holes to contend with.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Just measured the rears, they are 60" outside to outside. If I reversed rims,inside to outside, right to left I would lose 1", so the rears are at their widest. The fronts are at 52". I could gain at least 6" with an inside to outside, left to right configuration swap. After reading an old post, the posted had issues with his 72" belly mower when he switched rims configuration. My belly mower is 60" and doesn't appear to be an issue. Can you think of any reason I wouldn't want to widen the stance up front?

 

[jeff9366]

Can you think of any reason I wouldn't want to widen the stance up front?

Your minimum turning circle will be wider, with wider spread front wheels.

When you spread front wheels, stability changes depending on the angle of the front axle. Much better to spread the rear wheels.


Would a 2wd tractor with a wider stance make more sense?

No.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thank you. That I can deal with. Even cutting my lawn I get that uneasy feeling. Not as bad as adjoining property I want to buy though...

 

[jeff9366]

New Holland TC29​

1999 - 2003 Boomer TC Series Compact Utility tractor

Variants
TC29	gear
TC29D	hydrostatic

New Holland TC29 Power
Engine (gross)	29 hp 21.6 kW
Engine (net)	27.4 hp 20.4 kW
Gear PTO (claimed)	25 hp 18.6 kW
Hydro PTO (claimed)	23.6 hp 17.6 kW

New Holland TC29 Weight
2WD Shipping	2,474 lbs 1122 kg
4WD Shipping	2,474 lbs 1122 kg
SuperSteer Shipping	2,588 lbs 1173 kg

 

[jeff9366]

I'm looking to make my NH TC29D HST more stable on sloped land.

Your best approach is to add wheel spacers to your rear wheels.

Bro-Tec is the supplier in Canada I use in Florida. Bro-Tec's wheel spacers are industrial art.

Bro-Tek

Welcome to Bro-Tek! We make some of the best tractor accessories available. Learn about our high quality offerings on our product pages, or see what fits your tractor.

bro-tek.com

Ventrac - TBN ARCHIVE:

Prospective purchase for the mountains.

Hey all, Last year, we purchased 105 acres in the mountains of Western North Carolina that are mostly wooded with about 6 acres of meadows in hollows and plenty of overgrown old logging roads that we'd like to reclaim. The prior owners quit maintaining everything a few years ago except for the...

www.tractorbynet.com

Ventrac - YouTube Videos

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

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thanks, I will check them out. I have BORA's on my Ranger, love how they changed the handling/look. Top of the line materials.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks, I will check them out. I have BORA's on my Ranger, love how they changed the handling/look. Top of the line materials.

I do not believe Bora produces any wheel spacers which Bora markets to the tractor segment.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

They do. I'd have to call for my specific model, but went with Boomer 33, figured it would be cclose enough for estimate.
3" steel $218
3" Aluminum $195
All made in house

 

[redman135]

Hello Mtsoxfan, Don't bother widening the front wheels, it will not have any effect on stability.
ALL your stability gains come from the back axle.

What kind of rims do you have? ie tractor data images for the tc29d showed turf tyres with fixed 1 piece rims and ag tyres with adjust able 2 pices rims.
If you have the fixed rims the the cheap option is spacers. However if you are keeping this tractor long term the a more expensive option becomes worth while. DUAL wheels, there are several styles of dual wheel spacer/connectors avalible, so go for quick release type and DON'T fill with ballast as they will be very hard to man handle. ( I would remove the right dual for mowing and baling hay each season)
I did use ballast, but only in the inner duals.
Stick with 4x4. 2wd on hills a poor option I personally would avoid. I grew up in hill country and cut my teeth on 2wd, 4wd is way superior, you don't run away going down hill like with a 2wd.
Front end loader, DOWN LOW (knee high)if on slopes, and curl bucket fully back so if you hit the ground the bucket slides, NOT dig in.
Dual wheels mean much better traction and you SLIDE, NOT ROLL off the hillside.

You will be surprised at the difference a small increase in width(spacers) have on stability. You will be amazed at the effect duals have.
Good luck

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thanks, its good to know I'm doing somethings right, 4x4, slow on uneaven surfaces (side to side), bucket down as close as I can without scraping.
I did just swap tires, easy enough. I only drove from drive way to barn, so no clue if it helped. At this time, i have a lawnmower in barn too, so I have to carefully manuever as I back in. With tires swapped, it seemed like it was a bit more difficult, or I was being stupid...
I have ag tires. Don't think they are two piece bolted together. Fronts anyway. Didn't notice the rears, as they have weights in them. Not sure how long I'll keep, I will be working it less as I age though.

 

[scootr]

I went with the 3" rear spacers from Bro-tech. I can attest to the quality of both material and machining for these parts plus I received new lug studs. The installation was a 2 man job with the forklift for my liquid filled tires. The results are good. It made a definite improvement in the stability of the tractor. I did 2 " in the front to just to even out the machine. I understand the front axle is center pivoting and widening the stance won't help but the tractor looks better and the front is wider.
Bro-tech you get what you pay for and you will pay

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I went with the 3" rear spacers from Bro-tech. I can attest to the quality of both material and machining for these parts plus I received new lug studs. The installation was a 2 man job with the forklift for my liquid filled tires. The results are good. It made a definite improvement in the stability of the tractor. I did 2 " in the front to just to even out the machine. I understand the front axle is center pivoting and widening the stance won't help but the tractor looks better and the front is wider.
Bro-tech you get what you pay for and you will pay

I did get sticker shock, and then I remembered Bora. Not a metalist, but what I've read sounds impressive, aerospace materials. Not China crap for sure.

 

[ericm979]

Widening the front track won't help stability because the front axle is on a pivot.
Rear spacers will help, as will adding weight down low by filling the tires or adding wheel weights.

 

[scootr]

Rear spacers will help, as will adding weight down low by filling the tires or adding wheel weights.

Widening the front track won't help stability because the front axle is on a pivot. Until you are at the tipping point.
Then it will.

 

[dodge man]

I mow with my tractor and it’s more stable with the FEL off. If you have a quick attach end loader they usually come off in 5 minutes or less. With mine it’s not a strain on the back to take it off.