L3130 and the Tiltmeter

[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.