PT425 ROPS Spares Fool - - Followup

catsco · Jun 18, 2004

As promised, here is a diagram of my attention lapse detailed in previous posts.

Needless to say, I am looking around and down at the wheels a LOT more as I'm working.

IMHO, the PT is much more stable and safe on this type of sidehills than any type of CUT because of its low CG. The articulation of the machine is what moves the CG. I don't believe that's a design flaw, as the manueverability is superb.

This is a lesson learned for me. At no cost ( in $$), for a change! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regards,
Mark H.

MossRoad · Jun 18, 2004

Great drawing! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Although the results were a little understated... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MuncyBob · Jun 18, 2004

A short but EXCITING trip!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Jun 18, 2004

Not only a test pilot, but an artist, as well. I'll bet some people on the board will remember that when they are having trouble explaining their brilliant design concept for a custom attachment. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

catsco · Jun 19, 2004

Charlie--

Thanks for the kind words. Usually I'm a 'pile-it' rather than a 'pilot' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My small busines is doing CADD work for various engineering projects. Not much income, but I've used AutoCAD since is was invented many years ago.

All that is to say I can provide similar sketches for no $$$ to TBN members (within reason) to help communicate ideas. Engineering has been my work and hobby since 1970. Sometimes for actual money!

Mark H.

Charlie_Iliff · Jun 19, 2004

My only CAD experience was with a DOS version of Design Cad 3. It had its own basic front end, and I actually got competent in about 10% of its functions. Even when I was using it for a couple of projects, it would have taken me several days of cussing to do the drawing you posted.
I hope some projects will come along so that I can take you up on your kind offer, but nothing is top of the list right now.

Rip · Jun 19, 2004

I got into CAD about 20 years ago on the original 8088 PCs with a program called PCCAD for printed circuit boards and later with Generic CAD (later called AutoCad Lite) for general purpose engineering drawings.

It was a lot of fun, but you have to keep current or you lose it fast. (All gone now!)

Rip

DML · Jun 20, 2004

I almost did a similar thing this weekend, only I don't have a ROPS. For a split second, I wished that I did NOT have my seat belt on. I was sure that I was going to be broken in half by my PT180 rolling on top of me. I managed to balance the machine with my leg pushing up from the low side, preventing the role. At least, that is what I thought at the time. I was thinking about it later lying in bed. I actually doubt that I have enough strength in my left leg to hold the maching up, and wondered if I wasn't in as much danger as I thought I was. It's all good, now. I've regained that internal warning signal telling me not to do stupid things.

You said that you turned the wrong way. Which way is right?

Rip · Jun 20, 2004

Glad to hear you did not actually roll, since most folks legs will not keep even a 180 from tipping over if that is what it wants to do.

The Center of Gravity will shift lateraly as an articulated vehicle is steered. A turn uphill will shift the CG toward the downhill side, thus making it more likely to roll over (this is also the instinctive move). Conversly, a turn downhill will shift the CG towards the uphill side and reduce the tendency to roll (somewhat).

This is not a big shift, but if one is "on the verge" of a roll over, it can make all the difference in the world!

I would certainly think seriously about getting a ROPS as you obviously have the type of terain that can roll even a PT over.

Good Luck,

Rip

smartguyz · Jun 21, 2004

I agree with Rip.

Although my terrain is not as death-defying as some people's, I have experienced this a few times. I have found that by straightening the PT, I can stop the tipping feeling, and then I usually try to move more gradually uphill by turning in the direction of the roll, and then backing down the hill slightly, then going up, and being more careful.

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif