Tiltmeter - how far is too far?

Seon · Jun 2, 2006

( Yep, like JackIL said, that must be degrees instead of percent. )

Not only did I measure in degrees...but also relied on "pucker" power /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Seon · Jun 2, 2006

( Yep, like JackIL said, that must be degrees instead of percent. )

Not only did I measure in degrees...but also relied on "pucker" power /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

jbrumberg · Jun 2, 2006

KennK:

Welcome to TBN! For years I have relied on the "pucker power" principal /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif to determine my angle of approach while working on my tractor with good results. I have a pretty good awareness of the slopes on my property after 22 years
( I have not rolled yet!). With the purchase of my new CUT and in the pursuit of science I have recently purchased a Lev-O-Gage clinometer from West Marine (~$12.00) to objectify/quantify "pucker power"! At ~ 15 degrees of heel I start to whistle and I do not like "hiking out" on my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Jay /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jbrumberg · Jun 2, 2006

KennK:

Welcome to TBN! For years I have relied on the "pucker power" principal /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif to determine my angle of approach while working on my tractor with good results. I have a pretty good awareness of the slopes on my property after 22 years
( I have not rolled yet!). With the purchase of my new CUT and in the pursuit of science I have recently purchased a Lev-O-Gage clinometer from West Marine (~$12.00) to objectify/quantify "pucker power"! At ~ 15 degrees of heel I start to whistle and I do not like "hiking out" on my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Jay /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SailorBob · Jun 2, 2006

I have thought about putting one of those on my tractor as well. I have one on my sailboat. Does the vibration make the ball too jumpy?

At 25 degrees heel my rail is neary in the water /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Trapeezing on a tractor! You could be starting a new sport.

SailorBob · Jun 2, 2006

I have thought about putting one of those on my tractor as well. I have one on my sailboat. Does the vibration make the ball too jumpy?

At 25 degrees heel my rail is neary in the water /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Trapeezing on a tractor! You could be starting a new sport.

GeneD14 · Jun 2, 2006

( I used a tilt meter on my first tractor and when that ball got to 20 I was very uncomfortable and usually backed out. I bought one for my brother in-law who uses a bx series to mow and he pegs it all the time and says it's stable. Thats the difference between tractors. Best thing is to be slow and careful when on slopes. I have had a roll over but sorry to say I didn't notice my tilt meter at the crucial point. )

That is exactly my concern with a tilt meter. I could mount one on my tractor drive my tractor up on an incline until it felt unstable, back off a little and use that reading as my upper limit. Suppose for the sake of argument it is 20 degrees. The next week I could be driving on a hill side on a 15 degree angle and roll over. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gifWhat happened??? According to my tilt meter I was safe?
There are other "dynamic variables" that could have caused the tractor to roll even though the grade was only 15 degrees: tire air pressure, soft soil conditions, speed, loader or implement position, unseen hole, etc...

GeneD14 · Jun 2, 2006

( I used a tilt meter on my first tractor and when that ball got to 20 I was very uncomfortable and usually backed out. I bought one for my brother in-law who uses a bx series to mow and he pegs it all the time and says it's stable. Thats the difference between tractors. Best thing is to be slow and careful when on slopes. I have had a roll over but sorry to say I didn't notice my tilt meter at the crucial point. )

That is exactly my concern with a tilt meter. I could mount one on my tractor drive my tractor up on an incline until it felt unstable, back off a little and use that reading as my upper limit. Suppose for the sake of argument it is 20 degrees. The next week I could be driving on a hill side on a 15 degree angle and roll over. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gifWhat happened??? According to my tilt meter I was safe?
There are other "dynamic variables" that could have caused the tractor to roll even though the grade was only 15 degrees: tire air pressure, soft soil conditions, speed, loader or implement position, unseen hole, etc...

PineRidge · Jun 2, 2006

Normally I try to stay under 15 degrees. That said there is one area next to my drive that is 20 degrees that I mow that always makes me feel very uncomfortable. If the grass is to damp the back of the tractor will slide downhill, when it happens it always gets my immediate attention.

PineRidge · Jun 2, 2006

Normally I try to stay under 15 degrees. That said there is one area next to my drive that is 20 degrees that I mow that always makes me feel very uncomfortable. If the grass is to damp the back of the tractor will slide downhill, when it happens it always gets my immediate attention.

IslandTractor · Jun 3, 2006

I have a tilt meter (via TBN) which I find useful but neither critical nor particularly reliable as a guide. As others mention, my "seat of the pants pucker meter" is activated at almost exactly 15 degrees and I start praying (I am not a religious guy) as I approach 20 degrees. However, the limitation of its usefulness as a safety tool is that the tiltmeter does not respond as quickly as one might think and more importantly, it tells you where you are not where you are going to be (angle wise) in another 3 seconds. The real weakness is therefore that these are best for static measurement not as a real time warning device. The best use for mine is to allow me to carefully explore areas before I do serious work. Once working you are likely to get in trouble too quickly to have the meter be of much use.

IslandTractor · Jun 3, 2006

I have a tilt meter (via TBN) which I find useful but neither critical nor particularly reliable as a guide. As others mention, my "seat of the pants pucker meter" is activated at almost exactly 15 degrees and I start praying (I am not a religious guy) as I approach 20 degrees. However, the limitation of its usefulness as a safety tool is that the tiltmeter does not respond as quickly as one might think and more importantly, it tells you where you are not where you are going to be (angle wise) in another 3 seconds. The real weakness is therefore that these are best for static measurement not as a real time warning device. The best use for mine is to allow me to carefully explore areas before I do serious work. Once working you are likely to get in trouble too quickly to have the meter be of much use.

JDgreen227 · Jun 3, 2006

My property is flat except for a 13 degree slope going up to my big barn, but the culvert on the road out front was dug by a GradeAll and is much steeper. Before the property across the road was developed, I cleaned up 500 feet of tall grass and debris, then used my JD 318 to mow the roadside, and the slope was about 19 degrees. Ditto for about 300 feet of culvert on my side of the road. I never felt uncomfortable using the 318 to mow because it was much closer to the ground, even though I had to hang onto a fender to keep from sliding off the seat.

I'm easily able to use my JD 4210 to mow the barn slope, but won't even try the culvert area because the seating position is much higher than on the smaller tractor. I was wondering if I had loaded rear tires, if that would add to the stability on slopes. Does anyone know if loaded tires are an asset or a liability? Thanks.

JDgreen227 · Jun 3, 2006

My property is flat except for a 13 degree slope going up to my big barn, but the culvert on the road out front was dug by a GradeAll and is much steeper. Before the property across the road was developed, I cleaned up 500 feet of tall grass and debris, then used my JD 318 to mow the roadside, and the slope was about 19 degrees. Ditto for about 300 feet of culvert on my side of the road. I never felt uncomfortable using the 318 to mow because it was much closer to the ground, even though I had to hang onto a fender to keep from sliding off the seat.

I'm easily able to use my JD 4210 to mow the barn slope, but won't even try the culvert area because the seating position is much higher than on the smaller tractor. I was wondering if I had loaded rear tires, if that would add to the stability on slopes. Does anyone know if loaded tires are an asset or a liability? Thanks.

5030 · Jun 3, 2006

Kenny:

"How far is too far"???

When you go "whomp", you went too far. When you have to change your underwear you are almost at the "whomp" point and when you instinctively clamp on the steering wheel with a death grip you are approaching the underwear change point. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · Jun 3, 2006

Kenny:

"How far is too far"???

When you go "whomp", you went too far. When you have to change your underwear you are almost at the "whomp" point and when you instinctively clamp on the steering wheel with a death grip you are approaching the underwear change point. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sully2 · Jun 3, 2006

( I recently put a tilt meter on my BX2230. Mowing my creek, I get it up to 20 degrees. The tractor seems stable but it scares the snot out of me. It is even a little hard to sit in the seat at that angle. )

My "fill my pants angle" is less than 20 degrees!...lol I cant tell you the direct angle or slope...but Ive traversed..or ATTEMPTED traversing a few of the "grades" here on my property...and I can show you the ones I wont even ATTEMPT... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Even on some that I do go up or down ON OCCASIONS..I wouldnt attempt without my ballast box down LOW..and the FEL bucket with a load..down almost to ground dragging level!

Sully2 · Jun 3, 2006

( I recently put a tilt meter on my BX2230. Mowing my creek, I get it up to 20 degrees. The tractor seems stable but it scares the snot out of me. It is even a little hard to sit in the seat at that angle. )

My "fill my pants angle" is less than 20 degrees!...lol I cant tell you the direct angle or slope...but Ive traversed..or ATTEMPTED traversing a few of the "grades" here on my property...and I can show you the ones I wont even ATTEMPT... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Even on some that I do go up or down ON OCCASIONS..I wouldnt attempt without my ballast box down LOW..and the FEL bucket with a load..down almost to ground dragging level!

5030 · Jun 3, 2006

Loaded tires can be an asset or liability depending on the tire size especially when you have to change one. If you filled the 34" tires on my M9, they'd weigh about 1000 pounds each. Try picking that up if it falls flat on the ground or on you. I could just imagine going to the ER and telling the doctor there that your tractor tire fell over and broke your leg. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I much prefer cast centers or add on weights.

5030 · Jun 3, 2006

Loaded tires can be an asset or liability depending on the tire size especially when you have to change one. If you filled the 34" tires on my M9, they'd weigh about 1000 pounds each. Try picking that up if it falls flat on the ground or on you. I could just imagine going to the ER and telling the doctor there that your tractor tire fell over and broke your leg. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I much prefer cast centers or add on weights.