Pucker moment

[Firstgear]

Was taking 1200 pounds down the side of my new home being built to get it into the walkout basement. My rear tires are not filled but I do have the 3 pt ballast box filled with granite. Going down the side this happened. Yup pucker moment but kept it going. Looking for rear wheel weights and extenders because of the slopes on the property.

 

[Moose7060]

Fill the rears!

 

[Flintknapper]

Yowza............!

Was the seat of the tractor damaged?

 

[Firstgear]

Yowza............!

Was the seat of the tractor damaged?

No, my wife was worried, I was worried but I kept going . When the slope lessened the rear came back down. As I got over to the walk out opening under the 3 season room, because the concrete hadn’t been poured yet nor any of the large granite rocks removed , the back came up on one side again. It was butt pucker time again, but I just kept going. In the end everything worked out. I was glad I used a heavy duty ratchet strap to keep the load where it was.

 

[mikester]

Use 4WD and go backwards down slopes when overloaded. Go forwards up slope.

Wear your seat belt.

 

[Firstgear]

Use 4WD and go backwards down slopes when overloaded. Go forwards up slope.

Wear your seat belt.

I started that way, but it was difficult so I went back up and started down. Yes, any time I am not on level ground I have the seat belt on…there is a reason that they put it on the tractor.

 

[Old Machinist]

Glad you came out okay on that one!

I have done that a couple of times on my JD. I usually stop right there and lessen the load to match my ballast. BUT I will admit to not wanting to stop and using 4WD to continue a few times. My rule of thumb is to not try to pick up any more weight with the front loader than I have on the 3 point rear. Not a fan of loaded tires.

 

[Amarillo]

My first tractor was a L3301 without filled tires or weights. My property is about as flat as it gets. Still I had more than one pucker moment. I learned some lessons so when I upgraded to a MX6000 I had them fill the tires with Rim Guard and put weights on the wheels. Now I have to get close to maximum lift capacity for the FEL before I have to consider putting ballast on the 3 point. The filled tires and weights made a considerable difference. I've only been a tractor owner for a little over 8 years and can't believe that the dealerships don't offer a basic safety course or instruction to new tractor owners. Looking back, I could have easily damaged my new tractor or severely injured myself due to ignorance and/or lack of experience. As they say, "You don't know what you don't know".

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: can't believe that the dealerships don't offer a basic safety course or instruction to new tractor owners.

did the salesguy where you bought your truck do this ??? How about when you bought chainsaw, ladder,propane torch ,Glock ???

As for 'instruction', the sales guy went over every lever and knob and demonstrated how to remove loader and backhoe, as well as 'unwind' the HST/tranny.

pretty sure there is info in the owners manual but nothing beats the Real World for education.

 

[William1]

Other than damaging my tractor, lifting the front or rear a little EVENLY does not scare me, But tilting certainly does. Also, being the front is a swing axle, when on the fronts alone, the risk of a tilt is real (too risky) high, so if I do lift the back, it is no more than an inch. More? Time to rethink.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Woo! Wild ride eh?
Fill the tires. I cannot think of a reason not to. Not only does it help keep your rear end down, it will take stress off of the front axle.

 

[Dchemphill1]

I am sure you are aware but also keep the loader as low as possible when transporting. Lower center of gravity has saved my butt a few times!

 

[Amarillo]

re: can't believe that the dealerships don't offer a basic safety course or instruction to new tractor owners.

did the salesguy where you bought your truck do this ??? How about when you bought chainsaw, ladder,propane torch ,Glock ???

As for 'instruction', the sales guy went over every lever and knob and demonstrated how to remove loader and backhoe, as well as 'unwind' the HST/tranny.

pretty sure there is info in the owners manual but nothing beats the Real World for education.

Maybe your sales guy went over all that but mine did not. Upon delivery I had to prompt him to show me basics such as start up, using the FEL etc. I was never shown how to remove/couple 3 point implements or the FEL. I still couldn't tell you how to "unwind" the HST. I think what makes a tractor more dangerous than other things you mention is that tractors resemble an automobile. Most people are confident in operating those and assume they can do the same with that shiny, new tractor. As I came to find out, it's only comparable for very basic operation. inexperienced, new owners can get themselves in trouble quickly. I know I did not expect those back wheels to come off the ground the first time I picked up something heavy and started to move. Also, there are basic courses for firearms or driving a truck. I'm not aware of that for tractors.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Up here, you can rent a FULL sized excavator from Sunbelt rentals( green painted Kubotas), ding your credit card and drop it off, NO instructions whatsoever. THAT to me was mind blowing !!!

 

[nbryan]

Was taking 1200 pounds down the side of my new home being built to get it into the walkout basement. My rear tires are not filled but I do have the 3 pt ballast box filled with granite. Going down the side this happened. Yup pucker moment but kept it going. Looking for rear wheel weights and extenders because of the slopes on the property. View attachment 146981

If the front hydraulics can lift the rear off the ground there's not enough weight for counterbalance in that 3-point ballast box. Or the weight isn't far enough back.
My box-blade is enough to keep my rear tires planted when there's as much weight on the forks as the loader hydraulics can lift. NO tire ballast.

 

[Firstgear]

I am sure you are aware but also keep the loader as low as possible when transporting. Lower center of gravity has saved my butt a few times!

Yes, but I couldn’t put it any lower and not drag which I didn’t want to do.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

Welcome to the club.
I am glad it worked out for you.

Good thing the front wheel did not drop into a hole and you would have quickly learned how a center pivot axle works…that might have been enough to cause a KTAC claim in a wrinkled seat.

Sounds like you understand about need for ballast now. If not already done so, I’d recommend also practice dropping the load so you understand / feel comfortable how far forward you have to push the loader stick to drop it. Split second could make a difference some time.

Keep the rubber side down.

 

[jyoutz]

I am sure you are aware but also keep the loader as low as possible when transporting. Lower center of gravity has saved my butt a few times!

And when the tire lifts you can slam the loader bucket to the ground.

 

[Smokeydog]

There is always a learning curve. Especially moving things with the FEL. Don’t be afraid of carrying things low even if you drag a little.
Ballast is your friend. Local Kubota dealer automatically adds rear ballast with any FEL. They want their customers back.

Had a B20 for over 20 years. Rear ballast and 3/16” steel roof. Heat little tractor. Replaced with B26. Very tippy. Added ballast and 2” extension to the rear wheels. Greatly improved. B20 FEL lift 850#, B26 1200#.

 

[JonM]

dropping your ballast box as low as can helps. getting your ballast weight as low as possible.