When does a tractor roll?

Kevtherev

Member
Location
Welshpool Powys
D97D0595-2474-4ABB-AD0F-36A6BE01DC88.jpeg
 

windymiller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
mid wales
I have done that many times with a wide topper and it works ok if sensible.

I wouldn't even dream of reversing up what I would call a side with a 2 or 4 wd, loose grip, especially with 2wd and you ain't going to regain it, it's just going to take off, no weight on your driving wheels, at least when your nose up hill, you've got the full weight of the tractor on the back wheels.

're dual wheels, i run em at a low pressure so the tractor wheels are doing the digging in, and the duals are just gripping the surface.
 

PuG

Member
You would be mad to reverse up with a 2wd and yes implement should have a proper fixed top link. 4wd you have the weight on the rear wheels keeping you pinned. I question how good allot of the cabs are, I think someone here mentioned in another thread the Q Cab's etc being spot welded and come apart like a sardine can. Duncan cab and your in your own rusted coffin. I know when they brought in roll hoops allot of farmers were then being killed from having no seat belt, and then being crushed by the bar itself, and when they did just dismembered instead.
 

puppet

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
sw scotland
With 2wd you are in control going uphill, much less so coming down. An 8 foot mower dramatically changes the centre of gravity on a 135 and having it lifted downhill on any slope would be risky when turning -I have seen the results.
If you are not experienced on tractors this is not the job to start on. Having a 'feel' for the limits of your tractor takes years and if you are starting to slide off the seat then probably too late.
As mentioned above, if you are really keen/ adventurous/mad then cut it one way across with the mower on the top side.
Otherwise a big 4wd contractor would be the best money you spend.
 
Just let something eat it off first. See what’s there and then you know where you are at with the job. No field really NEEDS topping that much.

We had a 574 for our first tractor. I got some very very steep hill bits to graze and wanted to get some fert on it. I turned the wheels inside out and put a full set of weights on her. Spread some off the hopper on the flat bit and then crossed the hill always turning uphill and working my way over the top of the hills never to turn down hill as I believe this is when you go over. Some said I would never do it but I was 16 and would not be defeated if starting now I probably would have put 20 less sheep on the field......
 

onthehoof

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Cambs
I have, some on here telling him to reverse up a hill with a 2wd tractor, they trying to kill the poor boy or what, loose grip reversing up, and it's chips on you.
I only had 2wd, as said when I went up forwards the front wheels began to lift and started going sideways when I went up backwards it was fine, need to make sure conditions are dry though
 

glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
Specifically a massey 135 with an 8ft mower on the back?

We've lately taken on some rough grazing that has slopes that are steeper than I'm used to.

How would I know the point where safe operation becomes risky? (apart from some innate 'feel' for tractor driving)
Hire a robocut, or get a 4wd SAME tractor and put duals on it
They have 4wheel braking
 

glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
Just let something eat it off first. See what’s there and then you know where you are at with the job. No field really NEEDS topping that much.

We had a 574 for our first tractor. I got some very very steep hill bits to graze and wanted to get some fert on it. I turned the wheels inside out and put a full set of weights on her. Spread some off the hopper on the flat bit and then crossed the hill always turning uphill and working my way over the top of the hills never to turn down hill as I believe this is when you go over. Some said I would never do it but I was 16 and would not be defeated if starting now I probably would have put 20 less sheep on the field......
Friend did that with a full weight kit, tractor took off when spreader empty.
Spent next 40 yrs in a wheelchair
 

Bald n Grumpy

Member
Livestock Farmer
No one mentioned yet that with dual wheels or wheels on wide track settings that if you do tip over your more likely to keep rolling over
It's a braver man to know his limits rather than getting it wrong
Start quietly and stop before you get out of your comfort zone
 

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
Bear in mind that the front axle of most tractors does nothing to stop you tipping over sideways.
As said if in any doubt don’t do it. When it happens it happens very quickly and can lead to years of regret for all concerned. When my machine ran out of control down a hill the first thing I thought of was my family and what an idiot I had been to take such a stupid risk and possibly lose everything. It really isn’t worth entering a situation where you cannot be sure of a safe exit. I won’t spray or harvest on steep slopes now. It’s not worth the risk and in my view it’s wrong to expect others e. g. contractors to take a risk you wouldn’t take yourself. Many times the farmer would say “ it’ll be reet” but it was borderline and I got away with it. No more of that thanks. Same with crossing dodgy bridges and culverts. Buy your own combine and drive it over if you think it’s safe.
 

Kiwi Pete

Member
Livestock Farmer
Depends on a heap of variables.
If the wheels are set out wide, ballasted, and the mower's on the uphill side you basically have an ultimate slope-mowing machine (in good ground conditions)

Things will detract from this:
Hidden dips and holes and bumps
Cut clover
Dew
Hard dry ground
Worn tyres
Mower on downhill side of tractor

Just take it bloody easy, next year when you've seen it all grazed down and know where the obstacles are, you might get a bit more adventurous.

^^ If you swap them around, you might not be here!

It is surprising just where you can get a small tractor like a 35 to go, especially in diff lock, if it's well set up and you aren't in NASCAR mode
Just gotta watch that mower is above and not below your centre of gravity and be careful lifting it off the ground
 

glasshouse

Member
Location
lothians
When anyone sdvises wheel ballast do be aware, this greatly increases the risk of a tractor flipping backwards
Driving a dualled upford 6610 2wd up a steep hill pulling a Trailed tasker fertispread, the front wheels came up off the ground, and all the tools went outthe back window.
Then i dipped the clutch and reversed back down
 

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