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...

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="orange"> Too much invested to go there though... </font>


<font color="black"> I thought that was what insurance is for?

But seriously, I think the terrain is a big factor that probably causes most roll overs. What I mean by that is that a tractor may be safe on a given degree of slope, until one wheel hits a rut or a rock. That proverbial bump in the road changes all the dynamics and makes recovery not simply unlikely, but probably impossible.</font>

 

[hillslider]

Hey everyone.....

Your responses to my post is what is going though my mind. If you do not know where the danger point is then it is hard to stay away from it. I always go slow and am overly cautious when on a slope. There are certain areas of my propery that are obvious to stay the h*** off of but there are other areas that I just pinch holes in my tractor seat. i was going to add some pics but the digital batteries went dead before I could get out in the field. I like the idea of having "training wheels" on the tractor to find that point of no return and then when you are going slow and hit that wet spot or rut you can get yourself out of danger. I have always felt the tiltmeter is for reference only and not a gauge to stare at. You have so many things to watch out for while operating a tractor that it is good to be able to listen to your seat of your pants and not have to refer to a gauge. It just is not that cut and dry.
I am not worried about hurting myself. The tractor has a strong ROPS system and I always...always use the seat belt. I just don't want to damage my tractor or have to call out the neighbors to roll me back on the wheels. It is one of those...should or should I not type things. I am just a big old wussy maybe!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[_RaT_]

My L48 came with a "free" tiltmeter which I mounted months later just because I had it. I have to admit I never used it. I have a comfort factor on slopes. It's different for me then others as I see them attempt to navigate around the slopes. Which way I am turning the wheels, ground conditions (tall dry grass, wet soil etc) all contribute to how I am going to deal with the slope. When unsure, I still lay off traversing it and go up or down it in 4WD. I don't miss my tiltmeter and if the guy who bought my L48 is using it, all the power to him.

 

[Freds]

Neat. Thanks for the link. Those look like pretty modest slopes, I wonder what the tiltmeter said ?

 

[HammerFour]

Well, I think what was causing the roll over on those videos was a combination of speed, hard turn uphill, and dropping the downhill front tire into a hole at once.

I mow acround our evaporation pond whenever I mow that part of the pasture, the first time I was real hesitant, but now its routine. I just slow down and kind of make my way around it nice and easy, keeping an eye on the rocks and dips that are there. I have mostly dug the rocks out with the fel now, and plan on taking the box blade and smoothing out the slope a bit this fall and reseeding it to make it look a bit better.

 

[DCRC]

I have one response to those video's-

ROPS UP and seat belt on.

In heavy grass or weeds you may not see a small hole, or Texas sized ant hill that could be all it takes to roll over.

 

[Archdean]

henro,
I must take this opportunity to commend you for posting this link (all should see) I was raised north of you in Tioga County PA. as a hill farmers boy (many roll overs in those days) and graduated from Cameron Univ. in OK having spent most of my life flying Heavy lift Helicopters the world over.
I still find myself taking cover in my personal highly developed safety umbrella (read oops how far will this bubble go before it disappears).
Just last weekend I would of rolled my new B7510 had I not thought to move the backhoe boom to the extended uphill position and as such it was just enough to keep it from rolling over on a 40 degree slope on my lakefront which I was rounding with 40 yards of fill to allow me to mow w/o the pucker factor the pics depict!!
Dean

 

[gduff]

Like many other posters I don’t use a tilt meter either. While they may be a good reference point it just doesn’t cover all of the variables. I used to have a B7800 and did not like the feel of tractor on moderate slopes. I now have a L3830 which seems to feel way more stable. (And it should, as it is much wider) I did notice the B7800 sometimes would have the front tire opposite of the downhill side lift off the ground when the slope did not seem that great. This is not a good feeling! I also noticed that on rough ground that was somewhat level it would lift a front tire and opposing rear tire off the ground simply because of the limitation of travel in the front end. I would have to use the differential lock to move as neither tire had traction even in 4WD. In this case there did not seem to be rollover problem, just a traction problem. My point is maybe it is not as bad as it seems.
Your 3130 is pretty close in size and weight to the 3830, so if it starts to feel scary you’re probably on a pretty steep grade. (Of course this is personal tolerance as well.) I find myself to feel as confident as on our farm tractors. YMMV.

 

[at_obuk]

I mounted a tiltmeter on my BX23. I've learned to use it in conjunction with my feelings and sight. It's a reference, to be put into the equation with is it wet, rocky, can you see the dips or is the grass to tall, have you been over this area before. You can't use it as the end all. However it does make you feel better to know you are on a 20 degree slope that feels to you like its 45 degrees.
Take it slow use common sense with the meter and it can be useful.

Eric P.