BX24 Side Angle of Departure

[dhagerty]

Kubota increased the angle of departure to 20 degrees for rotation backwards with the backhoe installed. I have been unable to find the angle of departure for side rollover with implements, backhoe and FEL no mower, installed. Understand it all depends on amount of material in the FEL, height of the FEL, and other factors but it seems to me that with a set of conditions the angle of departure could be determined. I intend to mount a gage for side as well as front/rear angle but need some type of reference value to determine when I am headed toward a side rollover. Important to me as my property has very little level ground.

Thanks

 

[bx24]

Well, keep your roll bar up .... seat belt fastined and if you have the BH on the back, entend it and swing it to the up side of the hill (grab a BH bucket full of dirt for more weight) and it will feel a lot more stable (especially if you get stuck on an angle.

I was thinking about how I could build or set up some side counterweights to help out with the tipping issue.

 

[AceDeuce]

If you find yourself having to add side-ballast you are operating your machine well outside of the safety zone. A much better option is to find a more level path to drive on - even if it takes longer.

Sorry for the safety-police comments, but I'd hate to see someone get hurt.

 

[Berniep]

Angle of departure is the point where, from level ground, you meet a hill of a certain angle and it will not drag. Those figures that kubota gives are NOT the angles at which it will roll over backwards or forwards.
Actually this link explains it much better.
Angle of departure/approach

Kubota increased the departure angle on the 24 backhoe making it easier to load on a trailer and crossing ditches etc.

 

[dhagerty]

Well that explains a lot and thanks for the education. Now I feel a bit better climbing the hills around the house.

I guess the basic question still exists, for a set configuration how can you obtain data on degrees of angle to know when you are headed to trouble. I mean, what good is an angle meter if you do not know when you are approaching a roll over point? Do you back up and try a different approach when the angle is 15 degrees or do you start into dangerous territory at 20??

 

[KeithInSpace]

The question totally depends on your setup and what you're carrying.

For front/rear, it's tough to say what you have in the loader and if you have a BH mounted. You being in 4WD or not makes a big difference on your safety zone.

For side/side, that is tough to say as well. I feel 100% more comfortable on slopes without the FEL mounted and with the MMM mounted because of the dramatic shift in COG. Furthermore, I only go one way around a particular slope because of the extra weight the OEM bagger has on the right side...can't hit the same slope going the other way.

Then there's the time my Stepdad had a 400# load of timber in the loader and while I wasn't looking felt compelled to raise it several feet. Don't ask me why. One wheel in soft ground and the thing tipped right over.

There really is no answer for your question. It is based simply on the comfort level of the operator and the given situation. I saw a picture one guy posted of him on, in his opinion, a wicked slope. I hit slopes 3 times as steep (approaching 30 degrees) sideways every time I mow. Of course, I go slow and careful. And I thoroughly checked all my yard's slopes on and off the tractor using the 'rear tire lift test' before working.

Then there was the 500# of play sand in the loader yesterday. With the load skipping 2" above the ground couldn't go on a very mild sideways slope without losing my fortitude and choosing another direction.

Not trying to be blunt or anything, but I would not encourage anyone to have a table of acceptable slopes for different configurations/situations. It really needs to be a "seat of the pants" thing. Every moment on the tractor is different from the next. That's why I wear my seatbelt 99.78% of the time.