tractor stability

[MossRoad]

Sorry, that's western Washington. **** autocorrect...

:laughing:

 

[WranglerX]

Just another voice to endorse wheel spacers to increase stability. I have a BX25D, and I'm constantly operating on steep slopes here in the Cascade Mountains foothills investors Washington. I don't mow with the bx, but I move logs with bucket-mounted forks and by dragging, and I've been moving lots of fill dirt, big rocks, and gravel. I had the rears filled with Rimguard when I bought the tractor (1400 hrs ago), so I can't tell you what it would be like unloaded.
But I can tell you for sure that there was a really noticeable, significant improvement in stability after I installed a pair of 3" spacers on the rears last summer. I got them from Bro-tek in Canada, and it was a totally positive experience. Delivery was quick, they fit perfectly, and installation was simple. You will need a few sockets and a torque wrench. I also used blue loctite on the bolts, just in case. The instructions are very complete, and even tell you what tools and sockets you will need. Since I have a backhoe, adjusting the height of the axle with the stabilizers to put the wheels back on was easy, but you can also do it with a jack.
Your mower deck limits you as to size of spacers you can use. Bro-tek has a useful discussion of this on their website.
I only wish I had added the spacers a few years ago.
I know people have mentioned using cheaper jeep or other spacers. If you do this, check to see that the bolts will fit, and also that the hub and the central hole match, as they apparently carry a significant part of the load. The advantage of the Bro-tek spacers in this regard is that they are sized exactly for the bx. I seem to recall that they offer a choice of steel or aluminum. I went with the aluminum ones, as I didn't want to bother with priming and painting the steel ones.
By the way, in really iffy situations, I have resorted to swinging the backhoe to the uphill side and extending it. It makes a pretty good short-term movable counterweight.

Totally agree (with out the filled tires)....

Dale

 

[Rebeldad1]

I think any tractor is capable of tipping over. Ive had a lot of them in the last 50 years and never had a need to find out what degree that is.

Do what you can to keep your tractor stable. 4X4 a big +, Loaded tires a must. Bucket low to the ground, maybe some weight in it if needed. Match your speed to what you are doing, slow down if you are unsure. Your flail mower should be down on its front roller and should not be a tipping issue.

Biggest risk is how far the operator is willing to go. Common sense goes a long ways for safety