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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Farmall M safe slope

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Lesieg

02-24-2004 14:26:05




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Was wondering what is a good slope angle as a maximum to work on with my M? Thanks for your input.




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Allen Bishop

02-26-2004 20:50:29




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
I live and farm in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri, and use an M and a 560, and believe me, no one wants to get that little bit of deadland in production more than I do, but you take one of these tractors down over the hill and into (thankfully) an oak tree about halfway down the hill with no control over where you are going, and you will learn quickly to stay where you ought to be and leave those steep slopes alone. If it is steep enough that you need a seatbelt to stay in the seat, it's too steep, and get off of it, for your family's sake if nothing else. Just an observation from an older and wiser farmer.

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jed

02-25-2004 06:08:19




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
Everything I am hearing sounds good. I grew up around the M's and we worked some hilly ground. My father who is now 84 always said that you had to ride the upper side brake a little. I never really understood that, but that is what I always did. Neither one of us ever upset one. Does that make sense to anyone?



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Warm in Texas

02-24-2004 18:11:47




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
Here's an old construction tip.

Bolt a plate where you can see it. Hang a free swinging arrow straight down and mark that point as the tractor sits on level ground.

With a protractor, make a mark at each side of the arrow at 10 degrees, 15 and 20.

When you get sideways on a slope, check the angle and remember it. If it is giving you that queasy feeling, make the plate bright red from that point on. Never let the tractor get tilted into the red.

One more thing. Pull down hill when ever possible. There are lots of ways to roll a tractor, all will ruin your day.

I've only rolled once. I was scrambling when the fender hit me in the rump and threw me 20 feet. I was in a ditch that I had mowed hundreds of times. Scares the you-know-what out of you.

Be careful out there.

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Paul in Mich

02-24-2004 17:22:43




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
Lesieg, One more thing I might add is install a roll bar or "ROPS" if you are going to be doing much hill work. You can also install a seatbelt. I also second what Hugh says about loaded tires in that it lowers the center of gravity which is most advantageous. I think that widening the rear wheels will also help a lot while widening the narrow front wheels is suspect in that it is harder to steer in addition to the fact that if you hit a groundhog hole or stone or other abstruction, the wider setting will throw the wheels and darned near rip your arm out of the socket. It is also wise not to push the envelope as far as to what degree does it become unsafe. All it takes is to drop a rear wheel into a hole, and an otherwise safe angle becomes a roll over situation. It is prudent to know the lay of the land, and know within reason what hazards exist. Its not unlike a pro golfer walking a golf course before playing a tournament to become acquainted with the lay of the land.

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Dave H (MI)

02-24-2004 17:32:24




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 Re: Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Paul in Mich, 02-24-2004 17:22:43  
Modify that a tich...If you are going to install ROPS you MUST install a seatbelt. If you are not going to use ROPS do NOT install a seat belt.



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Paul in Mich

02-24-2004 18:41:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Dave H (MI), 02-24-2004 17:32:24  
DAve, You are absolutely right....Its either both or nothing. ROPS with seatbelt, No ROPS, no seatbelt. Thanks for expounding on that issue.



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Hugh MacKay

02-24-2004 16:49:03




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
Lesieg: The others have covered it very well, I presume the M is a narrow front. The key to this, is do everything possible to lower the tractors center of graviety. That nasty old calcium chloride in your rear tires will acomplish this better than any other way. Wheel weights are good. Set the tractor rear wheels minamum of 72" center to center tread.

Above all else be careful, we want you asking many more questions. The two items others said that I liked best were, if you are uncomfortable don't do it. The idea of the top of your hood, on the low side being directly over the inside tire print or anticipated print your rear tire is going to make is a good limit. I will not say no to setting narrow front wheels as wide as they can go, however I will warn you that steering wheel will be harder to hold when front wheels strike obstacials.

If you are new to tractors one of the very best items you can find is an original Falmall M operators manual with all the funny looking little cartoons, on safety, heed them. One last thing if you are new to tractors, drive it 6 months before you even go to point of hood over wheel track. And keep speed down on slopes.

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riverbend

02-24-2004 16:19:29




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
Good question. I would like to know when my H is close to rolling over too. Seems like every time I am grabbing the seat cushion with my sphincter, when I get off and look, it is not even close.

In theory, when the center of gravity that lies in the direction of the crank gets to the outside edge of the wheel (or line between the wheels), you are toast.

I like to keep the top of the motor inside the tire track. To me, that's steep enough. Getting squashed would make for a bad day.

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Bill Smith

02-24-2004 15:22:10




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
rustyfarmall is right. You kind of got to be your own judge. I wouldn't advise anything real steap. However, if going on the slopes make sure your rear wheel's are dished out and slid to the end of axel. Wheel weights bolted to the outside or fluid in tires would be better yet. Also, bolt your front rims on in the widest position. It would be better to not carry a loader or mounted implement. This kind of stuff will aid in stability on a slope, but minimal. Shouldn't really be setting an M up like this to be able to drive on a steaper slope, but rather setting up an M like this just to be safer on the slopes you are already driving. One slip of a wheel, or run over a rock on the high side, or hit a hole on the low side, or something like that will just throw you right over if you are already taking it to the extreme. Even with an M set up in the manner above, you should still observe all dangers of flipping over as set up in a normal manner. Just my 2 cents.

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rustyfarmall

02-24-2004 14:58:16




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 Re: Farmall M safe slope in reply to Lesieg, 02-24-2004 14:26:05  
If you do not feel safe, then it is too steep. Also, it depends on whether the ground is wet, slick with ice, loose soil, loose rocks, etc. Only you can make that decision.



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