Low center of gravity tractor: not the John Deere 5060E

[eou_edu]

Last year my dad purchased a brand new John Deere 5060E open cab with a loader. My first look at it I couldn't help but think: "that tractor has a high center of gravity." Part of the reason he purchased it was the high lift rating of the very heavy duty bucket. Without fluid in the tires it almost wanted to tip with an empty bucket! Filling them up of course helped. But it still didn't take much to pull the rear tires off the ground or get close to tipping on the smallest side hill. counter weights helped keep the back end down more but it still wasn't great. I helped him do hay this year and with a lightweight hay squeeze, 6 bails on it and a gentle slope, we parked it after 3 attempts at almost tipping over. Then the older 4320 JD finished the rest of the job. He now either wants to trade in or sell his 5060.

The reason for this post is both a cautionary tale and a question. If you work anywhere on hills the John Deere 5060 or any 5 series is not a great choice. Just looking at a picture of it, it's easy to tell the center of gravity is very high. I couldn't imagine how much worse an enclosed cab would be! Most likely it's meant for flat fields. The JD 4 series appears to be significantly better. I've always thought the case tractors, new and through the years looks like they have a very low center of gravity. Just going by pictures they seem to be the lowest without going to a specialty type tractor. This is only a hunch going entirely by looks so more than open to suggestions. Center of gravity isn't something I've seen published by many tractor makers.

 

[ptsg]

The 4320 is a 10000 lbs tractor, while the 5060 is a 6000 lbs tractor, that's without a loader on both of them. Of course you'll feel differences on how "planted" to the ground one is versus the other when doing loader work.

Increase your ballast on the 3pt and it will feel better.

 

[dj1701]

The 4320 is a 10000 lbs tractor, while the 5060 is a 6000 lbs tractor, that's without a loader on both of them. Of course you'll feel differences on how "planted" to the ground one is versus the other when doing loader work.

Increase your ballast on the 3pt and it will feel better.

I think the OP was referring to the JD 4320 compact tractor. I have one and it is very stable. I think that it's about 4000lbs.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 has ag rims. I have the front rims at a neutral setting. My rear rims are at the widest setting. The wide rear rim setting plus RimGuard gives a great increase in stability.

The ag rims on the M6040 have six possible width settings.

 

[ChiefBodie]

The ag rims on the M6040 have six possible width settings.

Had no idea-- thanks!

 

[dodge man]

The manual says what counter weight you need. Do you have enough?

 

[eou_edu]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have to look into a few of these things. I think more than likely he's just going to sell the tractor or trade it in. There are things you can do to make it better. Counter weights and tire weights but no matter what it's still not going to change the fact this is just a very high center of gravity tractor. The seat and engine sit high above the axles. It was my first impression of it from 100 feet away the first time seeing it. If you looked at pics of 10 different tractors online and told to pick out the highest center of gravity tractor the JD 5060 would be the obvious choice for everybody!