Tiltmeter - how far is too far?

[IslandTractor]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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. )</font>

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]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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. )</font>

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]

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]

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.