L3130 and the Tiltmeter

[hillslider]

When I first bought my tractor was when I started to really read all the info at this site. At that time the Tiltmeter had a lot of posts. I bought one but have never installed it. I wanted to really get to know my tractor by the feel of the old mighty pucker factor. Well my property is fairly hilly and trust me the pucker factor has about worn out my tractor seat. Lately there have been a lot of people saying that they are new owners of the L3130 and am curious if anyone has a Tiltmeter installed. I have been curious if I have really been pushing the limits of the tractor or that my tolerence to the pucker factor is to low. So I think I will install it to see what kind of readings I get. Would love to hear from anyone that has one and what kind of readings they get as they operate their L3130"s.

 

[HammerFour]

I put a tilt meter on my L2350 which is smaller, but a similar frame size to a L3130.

I regularly operate at 15 degrees of side slope and have mowed across some that was 20 - 25 degrees.

I do have ag tires set at their widest setting, I also swapped the fronts side to side to widen the front as well, still deciding if that was allowed in the manual or not. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Freds]

I had a tiltmeter on my B7500. I don't think I ever really understood it. It was comforting to see I wasn't in the yellow when things started "tightening up", but how did the tiltmeter know what kind of tractor it was on, whether or not the tires were loaded or I had something in the FEL... Seemed like it was giving me a *degree* of comfort that shouldn't have been there not knowing what my center of gravity was.

Anyway, a branch knocked it off and I never put it back on and never felt like I needed one for my 3130. Too many variables in my opinion.

 

[hillslider]

I agree...I do not need it and there are a lot of varibles. Basically I want to put my pucker factor in check if possible. I do not like being on the hills but that is what I have to do. Maybe I am feeling more nervous than I should.

 

[Freds]

Feeling more nervous than you should is a bad thing... until that day you do something too *brave*. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I have a slope where my property meets the road on one side and I'd still rather mow it up and down rather than sideways, but I'm trying to overcome my fear. I've seen my neighbor mow it by going across the slope, but it's not for me and we both have lawn tractors, but different kinds.

When I had the B7500 with RFM, I started across that slope with the tiltmeter mounted and my eyes glued to it. The grass was a little damp. Well, the pucker factor got REAL high and I didn't know whether to turn uphill, downhill or keep going, so I stopped. The tractor's rear end slid down the slope... RFM leading the way, but according to the tiltmeter I still had plenty of pucker factor to go.

I know they are popular, but still...

Wouldn't it be nice for the dealers to have a setup where you could strap the tractor down, climb on, strap yourself in and have the surface start tilting so you knew how soon the pucker factor came before the tractor actually started to roll. You could try it out before taking your tractor home with different attachments or loads and try to save the mental image.
Either that or training wheels /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Wouldn't it be nice for the dealers to have a setup where you could strap the tractor down, climb on, strap yourself in and have the surface start tilting so you knew how soon the pucker factor came before the tractor actually started to roll. </font>

It might, but then again it could lead to a false sense of security. That would be a static test, and all bets would be off when the tractor started moving...the dynamics are different, and something that the front tire hits causing the side to bounce up can cause a tip over even when least expected.

There was a very good video put up by Penn State, that is worth viewing, but unfortunately I don't have the link on this computer... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Freds]

False sense of security? Yes and no. I believe it would be a real sense of security. Actual grade... actual tipping. A lot better than looking at a bubble stuck on the hood of your tractor.
Not perfect, but a start.

 

[Henro]

Freds...(and everyone else who may read these words) take a look at this link and then see if you feel the same way... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Penn State roll over footage...

I know I changed my thinking after viewing their clips... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I don't use a tiltmeter, but I tend to agree that they can give a false sense of security. Still, sometimes I would like to know what I am on. I was mowing with a RFM on slightly wet ground when I went down a short drop of only a few feet with a modest slope and the rear end of the tractor swung around and "fishtailed" in much the same way a car would spin out its rear on a patch of winter ice. The slope was so modest that I never gave it a second thought until that day. Now I treat it with a lot more respect.

What I do know (or at least believe) is that some tractors are stable on 25 degrees and some are tippy at 15, and in both cases the condition of the ground you are on at any given moment can completely change your attitude about how much slope your tractor can reasonably & rationally negotiate.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Still, sometimes I would like to know what I am on. </font>

I have to admit I have had the same feeling, quite a few times actually.

Recently I saw my front right tire lift off the ground while on a slope...the slope was down to the left, naturally.

I did not like that feeling. I did what was necessary at the time to put the tire back on the ground. I was moving very slowly as I always do when at any angle except directly up/down the slope. I think I had my backhoe on at the time, which made the front end ligher than normal...

Still...it would have been interesting to see what the angle of the tractor was. I honestly do wonder though, if I had a tilt meter, would it encourage me to go a little faster cause I am not tilted that much? Don't have a clue, but I do know I am a wimp on the side slopes currently.

I do in a way wish there was a way to push the limits and really know what the tractor can/can not do on slopes...

Too much invested to go there though...