L4600D Center of Gravity

[Jay Bee]

Long story short.
1. How far in front of the 2024 model L4600 tractor's rear axle is the CoG of the bare tractor?
2. How far in front of the 2024 model L4600 tractor's rear axle is the manufacture's attaching plate for the FEL?

If your interested.
My Kubota L4600D with LoaderLA714AU-C attached is due to be delivered to my property early in November.
I am endeavoring to ascertain that this combination satisfies the criterion Stipulated as required in ASAE EP562, " section 4.1The Operational ballast criterion has been met when a minimum of 25% of the Gross Vehicle Reaction is retained on the rear axle in a static condition on level ground."
In order for me to calculate this required value I need to know the CoG of the bare Tractor with ROPs but without the FEL attached, and also the distance forward of the rear axle the mounting plate is located. All the other dimensions i.e. weights and distances are available from the Brochures and manuals.
I believe the model numbers in the States differ slightly but the design values should be the same or very similar.
The information concerning the GVR has become necessary as KAUS has told the distributors that a TPL mounted 500kg (1100lbs) Ballast/ counter-weight is mandatory for loaders to comply with Australian Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines. These guidelines state without verification that " The addition of the FEL attachment to a tractor will adversely (underling is mine for emphasis) affect its stability and axle loadings." I intend attaching a Back Blade weighing 143kg to the TPL instead of the half ton of concrete. I need to ensure that the weight on the rear axle with the FEL and the TPL back blade mounted, is greater than 25% of the GRV.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You made that extremally complicated.

Our models very greatly over yours, the model you state has been obsolete for 10+ years for us.

There is no know or published answer to your question, because there is no one answer.
There are a ton of variables to the COG, Tire size, Tire width, Fuel level, Operator weight, operator height, loader bucket or implement weight configuration, load configuration and yes added ballast.
Your not looking for COG, (impossible to randomly determine) your looking for a counter balance amount.

A standard three point counter balance for a tractor of that size, HP, weight, Loader lift and carry capacity would be 1000 to 1500lbs.
You could go higher if you ballast the tires 500/ 750lbs.
The more ballast weight the more stability.

ASAE is a guide not a "Matter of fact" publication, its a guide line to standards.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

guidelines...... sigh NOT LAW.....

If 'someone' is demanding to see you conform to those guidelines, let THEM bring the appropriate equipment, at THEIR expense and do the test.....

If you're trying to satisfy some 'engineer', then THEY can do the same....AND show the 'math' they use
.
As NIW points out there's 50-100 factors that do come into the COG calculation. Odds are nobody has ever done them. If so, let's see the reports ! I've sent them for aircraft, when I actively flew, kinda important....

Bottom line, everyone knows if you have 200# of additional weight to the loader/bucket/payload weights as a rear ballast you'll be fine.

 

[RCW]

Probably a foolish question, but can 4 tire scales be used on each wheel to calculate COG?

Maybe both with loader on/loader off if needed?

I know some now retired NYS Troopers that did Commercial Truck Enforcement. They had those small scales in their vehicle that would weigh each wheel/axle.

@Jay Bee - is there a commercial truck repair facility or commodity distributor (e.g., grain wholesaler) that might have different types of scales?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

scales probably don't matter....
think of a 10# lollipop.... on the scale it weighs 10# BUT the scale has no idea the weight is all up top