Preventing a rollover with a backhoe stabilizer

[RayCo]

Where I live, the only flat area on my property is my garage. So, I always need to plan out my tractor traveling based on what hills I'll encounter and what kind of loads I have. There have been a few times that I've been going through an area slowly and found myself on three wheels.

What I've done a number of times is swing the backhoe to shift some weight to that side, and I also lower the stabilizer on the side where the tractor would roll if it decided to and just keep it a few inches off the ground as I creep my way out of the situation. If the tractor were to actually pass its tipping point and decide to tip over, would the stabilizer stop it, or am I actually creating a more dangerous situation by not letting the tractor tip over in a uniform way? I tend to think that it'd stop it, if it's a slow tip, but since I've never seen the stabilizers mentioned in the rollover threads, I figured I'd ask opinions.

There are two things that I know are just a matter of time until they happen: a tree will fall on my house, and I will roll my tractor. I look forward to neither event.

 

[devildog1]

Not real sure that the stabilizer arms would stop you from rolling over. They are strong enough and are meant to raise and level the tractor for backhoe work. That being said I believe you'll have a teetering point and tractor will still roll over. It may help a bit but I would not rely on it, just make sure your seat belt is on snug.
DevilDog

 

[timswi]

Not real sure that the stabilizer arms would stop you from rolling over. They are strong enough and are meant to raise and level the tractor for backhoe work. That being said I believe you'll have a teetering point and tractor will still roll over. It may help a bit but I would not rely on it, just make sure your seat belt is on snug.
DevilDog

Agreed...I do that from time to time too...No gurantees though.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Where I live, the only flat area on my property is my garage. So, I always need to plan out my tractor traveling based on what hills I'll encounter and what kind of loads I have. There have been a few times that I've been going through an area slowly and found myself on three wheels.

What I've done a number of times is swing the backhoe to shift some weight to that side, and I also lower the stabilizer on the side where the tractor would roll if it decided to and just keep it a few inches off the ground as I creep my way out of the situation. If the tractor were to actually pass its tipping point and decide to tip over, would the stabilizer stop it, or am I actually creating a more dangerous situation by not letting the tractor tip over in a uniform way? I tend to think that it'd stop it, if it's a slow tip, but since I've never seen the stabilizers mentioned in the rollover threads, I figured I'd ask opinions.

There are two things that I know are just a matter of time until they happen: a tree will fall on my house, and I will roll my tractor. I look forward to neither event.

Put me in the "it couldn't hurt" camp...if the backhoe is on and I'm in a situation where I think it might help, I lower them. Side note: Once I was pulling some ditches and dropped a rear wheel down in a culvert...didn't turn over, but as I was trying to extricate myself before anyone could see my predicament (always important), I very slowly layed it up on it's side (about a 60 degree angle). I got off and started walking up the driveway to get the truck and a chain when it dawned on me that the backhoe was attached...went back and managed to use the stab.'s and the dipper stick to right myself and to squirrel the back end back over on the driveway. Best part...I don't think anyone saw me!

 

[Jaylegger]

I would think using the stabilizer would decrease your rollover risk significantly. The stabilizer effectively increases your track width therefore increasing SSF or "static stability factor". Adding an extra 2 feet to your width on a typical 4-5 foot wheelbase compact tractor should decrease your rollover risk by approx half. Obviously the lower you maintain the stabilizer the greater you decrease risk of rollover while adding another risk if snagging the ground.

 

[BruceWard]

I also put the stabilizer out close to the ground when driving on a side slope. I have never had the stabilizer touch the ground but it certainly makes me feel better.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have put the stabilizer down in tricky situations. It doesn't hurt and might help.

Extending the hoe and slowly swinging it to the uphill side is a good move.

 

[killdozerd11]

what you are doing is correct for side hilling a backhoe
you swing the bucket up hill and lower the down hill stabilizer about 4 - 6 in off the ground

Don't let it dig in as it will turn you in that direction but it will stop a roll over

I do it all the time digging ribbon drains on slopes

 

[Tollster]

I have done the same thing working a side hill, I realize its not a good practice to work side hills, but sometimes thats where the work is. I will swing the BH to the up hill side and fully extend the boom and lay the dipper flat, also lowering the stabilizers creates a lower center of gravity when traversing, and as you said, may prevent a roll over.
I typically move very diligently and pay allot of attention to any lift, it also helps to think about what you will do should you feel the uphill side starting to lift...BEFORE YOU even move the tractor.(Ie turn down hill...any obstructions..ect) depending on how long your working there, a reduction in the uphill air pressure may help
I used the BH to remove the first 3" or so of sod for about 120' in length on the side hill. Also made a point to place the sod on the Uphill side of course

 

[Ken45101]

I've done that, I believe it will help some.

I have done the same thing working a side hill, I realize its not a good practice to work side hills, but sometimes thats where the work is.

Hill side? Heck, I have to do it on my driveway!

Ken

 

[Jaylegger]

I guess it also goes without saying that moving forward slow and steady is paramount as well. The centrifugal (rollover) force created when and if a tire drops down into a rut or if for some reason you turn into the hill is a square of the speed. ie: doubling your tractor speed will increase the centrifugal forces by 4 and conversely simply reducing your speed from 4mph to 2mph will reduce centrifugal forces by a factor of 4.

 

[Goodluck w/ That]

It would make me feel safer, can't hurt to have a brace out there to catch you, kinda like a wheelie bar on your side.

 

[RayCo]

Cool. This all is what I expected (or hoped) to hear. There was a small part of me that feared that five people would jump in with, "Don't do that! If it starts to roll, it will change the pivot point and crush your spine!" or some other alarming thing I hadn't thought of. So, not seeing any of that, I'll keep it filed where I already had it, in the "it can't hurt" category. Thanks.

 

[jlrsn]

Your stabilizers are designed to stabilize your tractor while using your backhoe, changing a rear tire, and for many other uses but they require solid footing below them. A couple of days ago I went to dig a ditch to divert snow runoff from leaving a foot of what I thought was standing water from around my well head. I put both stabilizers down and they kept doing down into the wet soil and never raised my rear tires at all. My only stability was my lowered FEL Bucket. I was reaching out 13' and very carefully retracting the BH Bucket digging the ditch but finally chickened out when I slowly took a full bucket off to one side to dump it and the whole tractor started going over. I should have put some 1" thick squares of plywood or something under the stabilizer feet but I finished the ditch with a shovel by hand.

That's when I discovered a rapid flow of water coming up from a old tree stump about 20' away and flowing past my wellhead and my ditch became a little fast flowing stream! Yesterday I uncovered a neighbor's septic tank that was on a slope with my backhoe but I had firm footing. I'm retired and don't work my backhoe for hire but will help friends. Keep a few 2x10 planks 4 or more feet long or thick plywood squares for firm BH footing and use them when nec. Many truck cranes and backhoes have toppled on level ground due to soft soil.
Jim

 

[Tractor Factor]

I guess it also goes without saying that moving forward slow and steady is paramount as well. The centrifugal (rollover) force created when and if a tire drops down into a rut or if for some reason you turn into the hill is a square of the speed. ie: doubling your tractor speed will increase the centrifugal forces by 4 and conversely simply reducing your speed from 4mph to 2mph will reduce centrifugal forces by a factor of 4.

Cool stuff. I think we can all sense this and therefore instinctively slow down, but it's eye-opening to put numbers on it. Isn't it fascinating how many things in the natural world are subject to mathematical formulas involving squares and inverse squares? For instance, if I recall correctly, decibel levels increase by the square of the distance to the sound source.

And now back to your regularly scheduled post...

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Cool stuff. I think we can all sense this and therefore instinctively slow down, but it's eye-opening to put numbers on it. Isn't it fascinating how many things in the natural world are subject to mathematical formulas involving squares and inverse squares? For instance, if I recall correctly, decibel levels increase by the square of the distance to the sound source.

And now back to your regularly scheduled post...

Yep...I remember (it's been a long time) taking Calculus, Trig., Geometry and Algebra in high school...being the 17 year old "genius" I was at he time, I remember thinking that there's no way I'm ever going to need this crap in the real world. Move ahead 35 years and there's hardly a day goes by that I don't use an element of one of those principles. And Dads, do your children a favor as my Dad did with me...teach them to read a tape measure...a lot of grown men have no idea how to read one. Knowing how also helps calculate fractions in your head which comes in pretty handy.