Is 2-wheeling irresponsible?

[Jay4200]

I was just reading the 'stupid things' thread, and was thinking back to this summer, when I pulled a big chunk of concrete (POs barn "steps" made w/o forms or any skill whatsoever) with my backhoe. I pinched the concrete between the hoe boom and dipper, then proceeded to drive around back to dump it. Well, as soon as I hit the gas, the front of the tractor came right up and stayed there. I stopped and threw a couple of rocks into the bucket, but that didn't do anything. I had the concrete picked and pinched so perfect, I didn't want to put it down, so I figured to heck with it, and just drove off on two wheels. With a bit of throttle control, I kept the tractor balanced fairly perfect, and I was able to control it easily using brake-steering. I drove all the way around the barn, K-turned, and backed into a nice spot between a few trees, where I dropped the concrete over a bank. Fronts never touched the ground until I dropped the load.

It was kinda fun, but is 2-wheeling like that irresponsible, or just normal tractoring behavior? Just wondering.

JayC

 

[Sumpter]

I'm not sure about if that is irresponsible, but I would have had to go change some clothes I think. Of course I am pretty new to owning a tractor. Maybe this is normal to the veteran tractor owners.

 

[mwb]

I think there are many aspects to this question. I assume you are referring to safety. Since you have a hoe on and your load was probably very close to the ground the chances of you flipping over were probably pretty remote. If nobody was around in case you lost steering control then I guess its ok.

I don't guess the machine really liked it; you had the stabilizers up (I assume ) so all the weight was on the machine. You probably had the boom out to accommodate the load also... just doesn't sound like a good thing to do mechanically.

If you were on a job site I would suspect that the foreman would either ball you out or fire you?
Not saying I wouldn't do something like that but I don't think anyone can condone it

 

[mwb]

From your avatar it appears that you have a 3pt backhoe? I wouldn't have done it...

 

[brain55]

"Irresponsible" I don't think I would go that far. Less than desirable operation, I'd go with that. I think many of us have used a piece of equipment beyond its intended purpose or design capabilities. As long as nobody was in danger, I think it is good fun.

Brian

 

[Gordon Gould]

I'd say you were OK. An operator who understands and knows how to use his machine.
On smooth flat terrain going slow with the weight inches off the ground why do you need more than two wheels

 

[Jay4200]

From your avatar it appears that you have a 3pt backhoe? I wouldn't have done it...

No, it is on a full subframe mount. My Woods 9000 would rip a 3pt off a tractor in seconds.

JayC

 

[YesDeere]

It's gone now but I did that quite a few times with my 790. Picked up a pallet of wood that was just a bit much. Usually I was already rolling when the front lifted so I just stayed in her ***. I really appreciated the split brakes at that moment. Wife saw me do it one evening and let's just say she does not condone such activity. But, she likes that we don't have to wheel or stack wood. So we agreed she would stay inside when these things were going on.

 

[Jay4200]

On smooth flat terrain going slow with the weight inches off the ground why do you need more than two wheels

That's what I was thinking

JayC

 

[CowwFace]

I was just reading the 'stupid things' thread, and was thinking back to this summer, when I pulled a big chunk of concrete (POs barn "steps" made w/o forms or any skill whatsoever) with my backhoe. I pinched the concrete between the hoe boom and dipper, then proceeded to drive around back to dump it. Well, as soon as I hit the gas, the front of the tractor came right up and stayed there. I stopped and threw a couple of rocks into the bucket, but that didn't do anything. I had the concrete picked and pinched so perfect, I didn't want to put it down, so I figured to heck with it, and just drove off on two wheels. With a bit of throttle control, I kept the tractor balanced fairly perfect, and I was able to control it easily using brake-steering. I drove all the way around the barn, K-turned, and backed into a nice spot between a few trees, where I dropped the concrete over a bank. Fronts never touched the ground until I dropped the load.

It was kinda fun, but is 2-wheeling like that irresponsible, or just normal tractoring behavior? Just wondering.

JayC

Hey Jay,
Have you lost your mind posting that here!!! You are gonna have a safety bulldozer sideways on this one!!!

Now in My humble opinion .. as long as the ground was flat I would have done the same as you. But any slopes I think I would have put the concrete down on some type of skid and then dragged it back.

Good luck with the prostate check you will get.

Tractor on.

 

[TripleR]

Drove tractors that way more times than I can count. When I was growing up on a farm "removable weights" often meant someone riding on the hood. Now I definitely don't recommend anyone on the hood, but see no problem with an experienced operator using their equipment as you describe.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

:laughing:Remember when I was a punk kid laying sewer/water line in Or. We had to get a backhoe back across a muddy field. The front end kept boggin so the operator turned around and ran the backhoe to keep it in a wheelie while I sat on the fender and steered with the brakes. I thought it was a hoot but the operator was not impressed at all. Am now glad it was on someone else's equiptment.

Rick

 

[Soundguy]

if the front end were bouncing up and down it could get brutal.. but.. if you can keep the abuse to a minimum, and productivity high, and safety within some realm of possibility.. I'd say we've all been there.

I routinely move round hay bales on my old frord 850 with a 1-arm loader. even with 3pt weight, it still tips the tractor forward and to the left a lil, meaning right rear tire is sometimes a lil shallow on traction.. thus i keep my foot near the right brake in case she starts to slip.

ideal? no.. gets the job done though..

soundguy

 

[Johndeere3720]

I have had my Yanmar on 2 wheels before. Usually with a heavy implement the back and engaging in a high gear. But there have been times where I had to much weight on the 3 point and lifted the front of my tractor off the ground. Most recently I was trying to pick up my large pallet that I stack fire wood rounds on and figured I'd see if I could move it with the tractor. So i got the forks (3 point) on and backed into the pallet, lifted and put into 1st gear. At the first movement my front tires were 1 foot off the ground. So that was that and I lowered my 3 point. When i got my tiller i backed the forks under it since the hitch was not at the time imatch adaptable and I had to use my steering brakes to get it out. That was even with 200 pounds of extra weight on the front too. I got it home but i don't really like being on the back 2 wheels for safety reasons and lack of steering, even with steering brakes. Last spring i was clearing a spot to extend our garden and caught on a stump so i lifted my 3 point and up goes the front of my tractor. Scared me at first but I got some pictures really quick for laughs. :laughing: I have had times where i was on the front 2 tires with the 3720 moving pallets of stone and didn't like that either. Thus I put my rear blade on the back for ballast and loaded it up with 8 of the 40 pound weights for ballast. I don't necessary recommend going on 2 wheels but some times it may be something that just happens. In my approach to equipment, it is always safety first. If it doesn't look safe, I'm either going to find an alternative or do it when conditions allow the tractor in the area safely.

 

[mullins87]

I don't any problems with using equipment outside of their design parameters as long as three conditions are met. 1)You fully recognize the manufacturer of the equipment is in no way liable and you may fully void any warranty should something break. 2)There are no bystanders or other persons property within the "danger zone" should something unexpected happen. 3)You are fully liable for any damage/injuries you may cause should something break and parts go flying onto the neighbors property.

I've only had my little John Deere 3038E for about a month now, and just this weekend got ballast in my tires. The first time I used the FEL the back tires were nearly off the ground with every scoop. I drove slowly, kept the bucket low to the ground and 4wd to keep me going. If the tractor started to tip over, all I had to do was drop the bucket.....and that only happened once.:laughing:

We have safety guys at work that will get all over themselves when something of unknown weight causes the forklift tires to lift off the ground. I don't know what they are thinking could possibly happen. The operators just go get a bigger lift.

 

[Soundguy]

i remember when i put a 30" dirt scoop on my yanmar while I was building up the back of my building pad aft of the house for the addition of a lania.. If I got a good full scoop of dirt, and pulled away fast, the front end came up. had to throw some weights up front there to keep the 1700's front end down.. had forgotton about that till I saw your post..

soundguy

I have had my Yanmar on 2 wheels before. Usually with a heavy implement the back and engaging in a high gear. But there have been times where I had to much weight on the 3 point and lifted the front of my tractor off the ground. Most recently I was trying to pick up my large pallet that I stack fire wood rounds on and figured I'd see if I could move it with the tractor. So i got the forks (3 point) on and backed into the pallet, lifted and put into 1st gear. At the first movement my front tires were 1 foot off the ground. So that was that and I lowered my 3 point. When i got my tiller i backed the forks under it since the hitch was not at the time imatch adaptable and I had to use my steering brakes to get it out. That was even with 200 pounds of extra weight on the front too. I got it home but i don't really like being on the back 2 wheels for safety reasons and lack of steering, even with steering brakes. Last spring i was clearing a spot to extend our garden and caught on a stump so i lifted my 3 point and up goes the front of my tractor. Scared me at first but I got some pictures really quick for laughs. :laughing: I have had times where i was on the front 2 tires with the 3720 moving pallets of stone and didn't like that either. Thus I put my rear blade on the back for ballast and loaded it up with 8 of the 40 pound weights for ballast. I don't necessary recommend going on 2 wheels but some times it may be something that just happens. In my approach to equipment, it is always safety first. If it doesn't look safe, I'm either going to find an alternative or do it when conditions allow the tractor in the area safely.

 

[JohninCT]

Nah. I see the fellers at the tractor pulls doing it all the time.

 

[MBDiagMan]

You obviously felt comfortable doing this and it worked out with no ill effect. All's well IMHO.

 

[Raspy]

It's only irresponsible if you think it is. Sounds like fun to me! Heck, I rode my dirt bikes with the front wheel off the ground as much as my skill level would allow. Always.

Sounds like you didn't endanger anyone and you got your project done efficiently. Why shouldn't you have a bit of fun in the process? Plus you improved your skill with the throttle/brake balance. :laughing: