B21 stability

[The Gardener]

I have not yet seen the B21 in person. I was told by one sales person that they can be a bit unstable on hilly and sloping terrain: which we have.

I am assuming this is related to the FEL and how heavy or how awkward its payload might be. Can some of the B21 owners please describe your terrain and your experiences.

Thanks!
The Gardener

 

[crbr]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/100237-new-b21.html

 

[machmeter62]

I have not yet seen the B21 in person. I was told by one sales person that they can be a bit unstable on hilly and sloping terrain: which we have.

I am assuming this is related to the FEL and how heavy or how awkward its payload might be. Can some of the B21 owners please describe your terrain and your experiences.

Thanks!
The Gardener

Unless you plan on working on slopes with the backhoe off; it should be a very stable tractor by lowering the stablizers (outriggers) just above ground level for added safety. However, with the backhoe off and working slopes maybe a different issue, but you must keep the loader near ground level if possible for low C.G. Keeping it in 4wd also gives you braking on all wheels; but with HST I might be wrong!?

 

[MarkV]

I’ve used my B21 on some pretty steep slopes and would not consider it more unstable than other tractors of similar size. Actually you put me on any tractor with a side slope of more than 15 degrees and I am looking for a way out. Loading the rear tires with liquid ballast helped the stability and traction considerably. Something I would recommend to anyone working hilly property. And as said above, with the backhoe installed the stabilizers have been lowered close to the ground and the boom swung up hill as a counter weight during uncomfortable moments.

MarkV

 

[The Gardener]

Thanks everyone. The "outrigger" approach is a great idea. We'd never have the backhoe off. For us, that is the prize feature. I can see us using the backhoe quite a bit.